TWO emerging Sunraysia Hockey Association stars are set for for an overseas trip of a lifetime.
Kayd Divola and Jacob Gray have both been selected for an Australian representative team that will tour Japan in December, travelling across the country and playing seven games in 17 days.
The 16-year-olds will face a variety of opponents with three games in Tokyo, which will all take place on the same field used for the 2020 Olympics, then two games each in Kyoto and Hiroshima.
The experience has come about through Wanderers Australia Sports Tours, which aims to help young hockey players develop their skills in a new environment.
“We play a bit of Victorian representative hockey and the opportunity for this got sent around to a few people there,” Divola said.
“We put our names forward and they got back in touch with us offering us the opportunity to go.
“I think the standard there is pretty high, we’ll be facing a few high-level rep teams, as well as some high school teams as well.
“It’s a good chance for a new experience, playing under new coaches and with new teammates, and against opponents you know very little about.”
The midfielder and defender, who has been playing since age six, plays for North West Lightning in the Victorian League 1, with hopes to push in the Premier League side.
Gray, a goalkeeper and midfielder, has some experience in Japan, albeit as a tourist.
“I went over there last year but just on a holiday, this will be my first experience playing overseas,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully it’s a chance to develop my game IQ and face a different playing style to our own.
“There will be some differences in how we attack and the strategies we use.”
The Sunraysia and Lighting under-16s representative has ambitions of reaching national levels with his hockey, but first he wants to try his hand at masters leagues.
The duo are set to embark on their tour on Sunday.
