ORANGE heads into this weekend’s Hockey NSW Under 13 Girls’ Field State Championships brimming with confidence, and considering the side’s line-up it’s no wonder why.

The side boasts at least seven players with experience in western or state teams, forcing all and sundry to consider Orange a serious division two title threat.

Orange will compete in pool A of division two, and opens its campaign against Northern Beaches and Sydney on Friday afternoon, before playing Grafton (1) that night.

The side will clash with North West Sydney (2) and Southern Highlands on Saturday before the play-offs on Sunday, and despite the inevitable step up against the metropolitan teams, Orange manager Renee Burrell said her troops are chomping at the bit to take on their city-based counterparts.

“We’re all actually really looking forward to it,” Burrell said.

“Competition will definitely be tough in division two, but we’re confident of doing well.

“Obviously the older girls in the side know this level of hockey, but we’re confident all the girls will revel in the challenge.”

Orange will take an attack-focused game plan into the weekend, and look to its star-studded midfield of Pip Mannix, Heidi Townsend, Haidee Watson and Phoebe Litchfield to get on the front foot.

That shouldn’t be too much of a problem considering Mannix and Townsend are fresh off helping Western Conference to an undefeated Hockey ACT June Long Weekend Under 13 Regional Carnival title - a side Watson was a shadow for, and defender Amy Hampton also starred in - and Litchfield has just been named in the NSW Primary School Sports Association side.

“[They] will share the midfield roles and guide the team around the field,” Orange coach Sandy Cook said.

“Our defensive combinations are very strong with [goalkeeper] Kimberly Keil, Amy Hampton, Chloe Baker, Ally Cook, Emily Gould, Katelan Philpott and Rylie Summerfield all capable defenders.

“Up front we have Dempsey Bryant, Mikayla Morris and Isabel Howarth looking to create havoc and plenty of scoring opportunities.”