Schonell an all-round hockey star

JUNIOR Sports Star nominee Courtney Schonell will play in the Hockey Australia under-13s nationals.

star hockey player

JUNIOR Sports Star nominee Courtney Schonell is so dedicated to hockey she missed the presentation of her Australia Day Young Sportsperson of the Year award.

Courtney was away with the victorious NSW under-13s state indoor hockey team at the national championships.

But the 12-year-old said the award was still her junior career highlight.

"My most valuable achievement so far was getting Camden Council's Australia Day Young Sportsperson of the Year award," she said.

The Narellan Vale resident is also a star in the outdoor discipline and was selected in the NSW under-13s side for the Hockey Australia junior national championships in Hobart next month. Mother Kelly Irwin said her daughter was "ecstatic" with the selection.

"She was so proud to be selected and it just showed her what hard work can achieve," Mrs Irwin said.

"She wants to play for the Hockeyroos in the future and being in the state system is a good path to be on."

Courtney was selected for NSW after captaining Macarthur under-13s to a state championship victory in Wagga Wagga recently.

"Winning the state championships was a huge honour for Courtney and to receive state team selection was the icing on the cake," Irwin said. But Mrs Irwin said the achievements hadn't come without hard work.

"She plays and trains for club, representative and state hockey teams and will also have nationals training soon," she said.

Courtney also works privately with a personal trainer to improve her fitness.

"Courtney plays for Harrington Park on the weekends and she'll pass the ball to other girls for their first ever goals," Mrs Irwin said. The Junior Sports Star Awards sponsor is Rebel.