His selection came after his stunning performance at the State Championships played in Moorebank in June, and, it sets him up to compete at Nationals in Darwin later this month.

Justin plays for Bellingen in the Coffs Harbour competition, however most of his hockey games are played in the premier league in Grafton where he is member of the City Bears.

Alford has played in Grafton for the last five seasons and has played representative hockey with some big names in Division 1 for the last four years. He was awarded his ‘Grafton For Life’ playing shirt this year at State Championships by captain Robbie Green, which he said “was a great honour”.

“This shirt is only awarded to players who have represented Grafton in there number oine team at open men's State Championships for four consecutive years, so is a very great honour to receive one,” Alford said.

This is Alford's fourth year of making the NSW team, and after winning gold at the Australian Championships the last three years, he said this year sees a lot of new faces in the team. “Whilst the challenge will be great and the experience rewarding, I'm looking forward to playing up in Darwin, somewhere I haven't traveled to before.

“I'd like to thank my family for there continued support, and Bellingen IGA in supporting my hockey and granting me leave to encounter this experience,” he said.