As she celebrates her selection in the 2025/2026 Australian Under 18s Squad, also known as The Futures Squad, which represents the next generation of potential Kookaburras and Hockeyroos (Australian National Teams), 18-year-old Eliza Berrick of Grafton fondly recalls the first time she picked up a hockey stick and how she fell in love with the sport.

“I started playing hockey when I was seven, and it was a way for me to hang out with my friends as they were all playing hockey too,” she said.

“It was a social thing to do as I was going through primary school, and my love of the game quickly grew from there.

“I love being active, so I’ve always loved sport, and I love being in a team environment as I’m a very competitive person, and I love the nature of the game as well.”

A current member of the Sailors Hockey Club’s First Grade Women’s Team as part of the Grafton Hockey Association (GHA), Eliza is also a member of the gold medal-winning NSW State Team who recently achieved success at a national level during the Australian Under 18s Women’s Championships, held in Perth between July 4-12.

“It was amazing,” Eliza said of the experience.

“Our team was so well connected.

“Everyone got along, we had plenty of fun, and we played some really good hockey, so it was definitely one of my favourite tournaments I’ve been to.

“We topped it off with a gold medal as well, I mean, it couldn’t have been better.”

A skilful athlete who possesses plenty of natural pace and tenacity, Eliza predominantly plays in the position of AM (attacking midfielder), a crucial role which creates scoring opportunities for her team by linking her defenders and strikers to help get the ball down the field towards the goal area.

“It’s a defensive role as well so there is a lot of running involved,” she said.

As part of her selection in the 2025/2026 Australian Under 18s Squad, Eliza will have the opportunity to further develop her skills as part of a year-long program under the tutelage of Hockey Australia Performance Pathways leaders Mark Knowles and Hugh Purvis.

The program will also provide athletes with a pathway into the Australian Under 21s, Development, and Senior National Squads.

While Eliza revealed she would like to continue developing her stick skills as she works towards gaining selection in the older age groups, she said she would love to see how far she can progress in the sport.

“Playing for Australia, that’s my dream, but at the moment my next goal is to play in the Australian Under 21s National Squad in a few years.”

Crediting Olympian and Hockeyroos midfielder Grace Young, who grew up in Grafton, as one of her idols, Eliza said she is also focusing on completing her HSC at Grafton High School this year while hinting at the future possibility of completing a commerce degree or pursuing international studies.

This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 30 July 2025.