IT is yet another big step in the polocrosse journey of Laura Michelmore, selected in the Australian Under-16 Female team.

It comes after a stellar season earlier in the year, where she represented Victoria at the national championships in April, resulting in last week’s selection in the national team.

Unfortunately for the 16-year-old, the late selection means she will be unable to continue in the Under-16 pathway next year, but the The Hamilton and Alexandra College student said it was still an important step for the future.

“Only three in the team will be left after it ticks over to next year, the rest of us tick over to Under-21,” she said.

“It is a good way to get our name in front of everyone, so it gives us a better chance to get into Under-21 squads as well.”

Only nine players were selected in the national team, with the 16-year-old often playing as a No. 3 as a defender.

During nationals, the Year 10 student did spend some time as a No. 1, noting most players were versatile and had the ability to play in all three positions on the field.

The 16-year-old said her selection was the culmination of years of hard work, and a solid season across the early part of the year.

“The season runs January to April and we have regular round games then Victoria selects a state team, then from then I played round games before nationals in Ballarat

“I thought my performance was alright, then the other states had their seasons and the end of the year evaluations are settled and the Australian team is announced.”

Michelmore is already back into pre-season training for the 2023 campaign, spending the winter playing netball in Frances across the South Australian border.

She usually favours her main horse, which is a bay gelding, and looks forward to many more years with him pursuing her international dream.

“My main horse is Ignite, who is a bay gelding and has got me through the process and into nationals,” she said.

“Casterton has a club, so we play there, but there are a lot of clubs around Victoria, so there is a lot of travel involved each year.

“I started playing when I was about five and had my first nationals when I was nine years old.

“It is definitely one of my lifelong goals to play in the World Cup and represent Australia, and so this is just one step closer getting into the Australian team as a junior.”