Hockey: Young Bay stars learn in Aussie

Dom Dixon (left) and Dylan Thomas were two of the three Hawke's Bay players who represented the Junior Black Sticks in Australia. Photo / Paul Taylor

Bet against Hawke's Bay midfielder Dylan Thomas making the Junior Black Sticks men's hockey team for the 2016 Junior World Cup at your peril.

Thomas, 18, has had four international tours this year as part of his quest to make the team. The latest, which ended at the weekend, saw an extended Junior Black Sticks squad divided into two teams for a Gold Coast-based tournament in Australia.

EIT Sport and Recreation course student Thomas and former Napier Boys' High School midfielder Mac Wilcox were teammates in a side that beat the Queensland state side 8-7, lost 3-2 and 4-1 against the two Aussie teams, drew 1-all with Japan and lost 6-0 to world Under-21 champions India.

"It was tough, but exactly what we need as we build towards 2016," Thomas said.

A former striker, Thomas switched to the midfield role last year and he said this will be his main position, but his versatility will enhance his chances of World Cup selection. Last week's trip was his second to Australia this year and he also played in Vanuatu as well as the Youth Olympics in China.

A former Hastings Boys' High School player, Thomas said it was an easy decision for him to remain in the Bay when he finished secondary school.

"The Bay is where you get all the good coaching ... from coaches like Greg and Dean," he said referring to former Black Sticks women assistant coach Greg Nicol and Hawke's Bay Hockey's Academy and Reps manager Dean Hulls, who has coached Thomas for the past eight years.

"This year was a big year for me, but next year will be bigger because it will be my first playing for the Central Mavericks in the NHL ... it's going to be a challenge," Thomas said.

With three years in the Central Under-21 team he couldn't have served a better apprenticeship. Like Thomas, Wilcox, 18, who hails from Tologa Bay has also represented Hawke's Bay at Under-15 and Under-18 levels.

Wilcox, who finished Napier Boys' High School this year, started hockey as a 6-year-old.

"My mum was coaching a primary school side one Saturday and they were short of players so I filled in. I did so after I had played a game of rugby. I really enjoyed it, so much I gave rugby the flick," Wilcox recalled.

Goalie Dom Dixon, 18, was the only Bay player in his team that beat Japan 6-5 in their only victory, but recorded close losses by two goals or less in their remaining games. He said the experience has added further fuel to his determination to make the December 2016 Junior World Cup in India.

"Each of the two Kiwi teams had two goalies. One is a year older than the rest of us and a bit more experienced. The rest of us are equally matched and it was good for me to gauge myself against them as well as our international opponents," Dixon said.

A former Napier Boys' High School player, Dixon has been playing for the past six years.

"Once I found hockey I never looked back. I've lived and breathed it since my Year 8 days," Dixon said.

He is grateful for the coaching he has received from Steffan Fastier, who recently arrived in the Bay from Manawatu, and former Napier Boys' High School player Aaron Ball. Dixon will begin a Health Science course at Otago University next year.

"There are a few other keepers down in Dunedin who have played at the top level. Hopefully we can push each other.

"I want to make the Southern Under-21 team and depending on my study commitments push for the Southern NHL team."

"Getting consistency with the basics is my biggest work on ... it's also important I keep up with my strength and conditioning."