Madison Doar has risen through the ranks to debut for the Vantage Black Sticks at just 17. Photo/Photosport.nz
The most coveted door in New Zealand women's hockey has opened for one of Northland's top young talents.
Madison Doar, 17, made her Vantage Black Sticks debut during the recent five match home series against India and looked right at home on the international stage.
It was a call up the former Kamo Intermediate and Whangarei Girls' High School pupil was not listening out for.
"I was definitely not expecting the call up at all," she said.
"I got an email from Mark (Hager, the Black Sticks coach) inviting me to come along to some trainings and then, after some injuries came up, they put me in the side which was really exciting."
Doar got to take the field alongside fellow Northlanders Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal and Sam Harrison in the series.
She said it was crazy playing alongside players she watched growing up in front of her family and friends.
"It was amazing playing with them because I grew up watching these girls play. I'm quite good family friends with a few of the girls so playing alongside them was a fantastic experience," Doar said.
"We had Stacey at some of the trainings and it really put a fire inside of me. It made me want to get better and be as good as the Northland girls."
Doar is now finishing her final year at school at St Cuthbert's in Auckland, training six times a week and has her sights on university and more hockey.
As for her hockey future, she has goals.
"I'd love to play more games for the Black Sticks and going to the Olympics is a dream of mine but yeah, we'll have to wait and see."