No less than nine NSWIS hockey players have been selected across three national hockey squads ahead of the men’s Hobart International Challenge beginning Saturday.

Five of the NSWIS athletes are part of the Australian senior squad that will take on Pakistan, Korea and New Zealand, headlined by Olympians Kieran Govers and Simon Orchard alongside Tom Craig, Matthew Dawson and Tristan White.

Development athletes Matt Willis and Flynn Ogilvie have been selected for competition alongisde Blake Govers, who will make his senior debut against Pakistan on the opening day of competition. Junior athlete Jack Hayes will also vie for a spot.

The four team challenge provides a significant chance for athletes to contend for a place on the Australian team competing at the World League semi-finals later this year, a benchmark event on the road to the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Hobart International Challenge takes place from 2-10 May.