HAYLEY Fischer is on the trip of a lifetime as she proudly wears the green and gold in Indonesia.

The Beaches Hockey Club player is currently touring Indonesia as a member of the Australian Country Under 21 Hockey team.

The nineteen-year-old was selected to the Australian Country team after outstanding performances playing for NSW at the 2022 National Country Championships in Albany, Western Australia.

Fischer was part of the silver medal winning NSW team, and received a number of individual awards throughout the championships.

The Australian Country representative program gives regional athletes the opportunity to play at the highest level and to tour internationally.

Hearing her selection for Australian honours came as quite a surprise for Fischer.

“I was a little bit surprised to be honest, I was just enjoying the tournament and having a great time in WA,” she said.

“To come home with a silver medal and be named in the Australian Country team was more than I had hoped for.”

Fischer credits her parents for their role in her success.

“Dad has had a huge impact on my hockey career,” she said.

“He’s coached me since I was a kid and he still does today.

“We get on each other’s nerves sometimes (laughs), but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I can’t count the number of times that Mum and Dad have driven me around the state for competitions and training.

“It’s not until you get a little older that you can look back and appreciate that help.”

Her Australian Country selection caps off a big year for the talented central midfielder.

In addition to the silver medal in Albany, Fischer helped lead Beaches Hockey Club to their first Women’s Division 1 premiership and played a pivotal role in the Coffs Crusaders victory in the Grafton Premier League.

All this while juggling a busy hairdressing career.

Beaches Hockey Club president Jonathan Williams said the young player had made a big impact on the club.

“Hayley has had a huge impact on our club and the younger players coming through,” he said.

“When the family first moved here from Grafton, we didn’t have a team in her age group so we basically created one from scratch.

“That team went on to win the Under 15 premiership a few years later and a lot of those players are still with us today.

“We’re really proud of Hayley’s achievements and hope to see her in the blue, green and white for many years to come.”

Hockey NSW Regional Coaching Coordinator, Leigh Macintosh, described the attributes which helped her gain Australian Country selection.

“Hayley has all of the attributes to be successful at the highest level,” he said.

“She’s fast, fit and has exceptional hand-eye coordination.

“It’s great to see players from our local area getting the opportunity to represent on the international stage, and I’m sure Hayley and her family will have a fantastic time in Indonesia.”

By Aiden BURGESS