“Even though I’m in the squad I’ve got to earn my place in the team to go to India. There were some players not available to go to Australia through injury and being overseas.
“They could still come into contention for places for the junior world cup. I’ve got my foot in the door and it’s up to me to impress the selectors.”
Wilcox, who has completed his first year towards an agri-science degree at Massey University, took the first step to achieving his Black Sticks goal when he made the national under-18 team for a Youth Olympic qualifying tournament in Vanuatu in 2014.
Wearing the silver fernHe climbed another rung on the ladder when he wore the silver fern at the Youth Olympics in China later that year. Step three was playing for the national u21 team in a tournament in Holland last year.
“These experiences have all helped me adjust to playing at international level and I’m really looking forward to playing the Australian under-21 team,” said the son of Tauwhareparae farmer Neil and Tolaga Bay Area School teacher Marsha.
“Their u21 side won the gold medal at the Youth Olympics while we came eighth. We didn’t play them as they were in a different pool but winning gold shows how strong they are.”
Wilcox has tasted success over Australia at u18 level but this is a step up.
His immediate goal, he said, was to play well and score goals in the two practice matches followed by three tests — the first of those on January 21.
“If I do well over there and keep my form during the season, who knows, I might go to India. I’m not taking anything for granted but I like the feeling of wearing the silver fern and pulling on the black jersey.
Wilcox, who has been working on the family farm to keep fit, acknowledged Australia would be favourites but said “you’ve got to be in to win”.
“At a recent training camp we talked about having the belief that we could beat them and this way we’ll get the chance to see where we stand.
“They’ve been developing a strong u21 side for a few years now but we’ve also got a strong squad.”
Wilcox took up hockey when he was seven.
“I played for Tolaga Bay Area School, who played in the Poverty Bay competitions, and carried on when I went to Napier Boys’ High in 2010. I played first 11 cricket but I was always better at hockey.”
Wilcox came to the attention of the Central region u21 selectors and impressive performances were rewarded with promotion to the Central men’s team for last year’s National Hockey League.
“We finished seventh out of eight teams, which wasn’t that flash, but playing with and against senior Black Sticks was awesome.
“Some of the older players give you a bit of stick but I’m confrontational anyway, and even though I’m small I gave it back without going overboard.”
Wilcox is not the only member of the family playing top level hockey.
His 22-year-old sister Ellena, who is finishing a double degree in education and sport and leisure at Waikato University, played for Waikato in the women’s National Hockey League. Like Mac, Ellena is a striker but her priority at this stage is her teaching career.
