Tom, now 15 years old, has been playing polocrosse since he was five years old and said making the state squad is “a dream come true”.

The Nationals are a week long event, held from March 22 to March 28 in Ballarat, and will be played in a round robin format with one team eventually playing off against another to be declared the national champions.

Tom became involved in polocrosse through his parents who both play for the Harden Polocrosse Club.

Tom and his sister Emily are also part of the club.

Tom’s dedication to the sport sees him get up early most mornings to work his horse, then he will ride again once he gets home from school.

He estimates he spends about three hours a day in the saddle, however said it is not tiring or hard work for him, he loves spending time riding and training for polocrosse.

The National tournament will have players from all states and territories involved.

Tom said he is excited to meet the other players from across the country and see what he can learn from them.

He will compete in the mixed juniors’ side with three other boys and four girls.

Tom said he prefers to be in the mixed side to the boys’ side as there is more of a chance to be involved.

He said the boys’ sides are more physical than the mixed sides and therefore the boys play a very different style of game to the mixed teams.

His parents and sister will join him in Ballarat for the tournament.

After playing polocrosse for about a decade Tom has lost none of his enthusiasm for the sport.

He said after achieving his goal of representing NSW at the end of this month, he would love to one day represent Australia.