RISING hockey talent Macey Walker, 13, has represented her state at the national level, taking the court for NSW under 14s at the 2025 Hockey Australia Indoor Hockey Championships.

Held in Canberra, the national championships featured 122 male and female teams across five age divisions, running from 13 to 22 December and 5 to 19 January.

Macey, playing in goal, helped her side to a respectable fifth place finish, conceding just three goals throughout the championship.

Her passion for hockey stems from her father, Rob Walker, a NSW and Australia hockey representative.

Macey’s mum Tamie and her six siblings all play hockey too, with two of her older sisters also gaining state selection.

Despite her young years, Macey’s representative hockey resume is already impressive.

Her highlights include being selected in the NSW Primary School Sport Association (PSSA) Girls Hockey Team in 2023 and playing in the Under 15s Combined High Schools Hockey Championships.

Macey has also represented Port Macquarie in both Under 14 and Under 16 girls outdoor and indoor hockey teams.

It was her performances while representing Port Macquarie at the State Indoor Hockey Championships that caught the attention of talent scouts, leading to her NSW selection.

“I was really excited when I found out that I had been selected but I was also really shocked,” Macey said.

“I thought I played well but I wasn’t sure if it was enough to be picked.

“Mum and dad were also both excited and dad started to cry when he found out.”

Macey said the state titles were “a lot of fun”.

“I made some good friends and I learnt a lot,” she said.

Unlike many of her team mates, Macey does not have access to an indoor hockey facility for training or games, making her selection all the more impressive.

Macey described playing for the Camden Haven Snake Pit in the Premier Women’s Grand Final match as a career-so-far highlight, however identified leadership skills and friendships as her greatest rewards from the sport.

With aspirations of donning the green and gold at the Brisbane Olympics, Macey Walker is undoubtedly a name to remember in the world of hockey.

By Kim AMBROSE