Emerging Wagga hockey talent Dylan Martin has been earmarked as a future national representative with selection in an Australian development squad.
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Martin has been rewarded for a stellar season by being one of the youngest players picked in Hockey Australia's 2020 Men's National Development Squad.
The squad is made up of players on the verge of selection in the national senior program with the eye of representing the Kookaburras in the next Olympic cycle, which includes the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, 2023 World Cup in India and Paris Olympics in 2024.
The 18-man squad will train under the watchful eye of national coaches, as well as play a couple of games during the year.
Martin is looking forward to what lies ahead as part of the development squad.
"It's exciting. It's a big step," Martin said.
"It's good to get recognised but it's also a really good opportunity for me over the next year to put in some good performances and put my best foot forward."
Martin, a midfielder, impressed through NSW Pride's unbeaten Hockey One campaign this year.
It came on the back of representing Australia at under 21 level.
Martin understands the importance of the opportunity he has been provided.
"Hopefully I can put in some good performances for that next Olympic cycle," he said.
"This is a good step towards the Australian team after the (2020) Olympics. That's the aim in the next couple of years."
Members of the squad may also be given the opportunity to train with the senior Kookaburras in Perth during the year.
Kookaburras head coach Colin Batch confirmed that the development squad members were knocking on the door for national selection.
"There is really good depth in Australian men's hockey at the moment and the athletes that have been selected have proven they have the quality to be in the mix for the Kookaburras," Batch said.
"The coaching staff and high performance department see this group of athletes as integral in driving the Kookaburras to ongoing improvement and success, and being selected in this squad clearly sends the message that they are very much in contention."
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