It wasn’t her time, she says, as her daughter finished school and had her own hockey commitments to enjoy, a venture, as any mother would, Orrock was more than happy to support.

But now it’s Deb’s time.

And the 59-year-old is making the most of it, earning selection in the Australian over-60 side to play at the Masters World Cup in Canberra next year.

Orrock was a key member of the victorious NSW over-55 side in Brisbane last week, helping her team secure a 2-1 national championship win over hosts Queensland, Orrock bagging the first goal in the decider triumph.

“It was the most important goal too,” Orrock laughed.

“Only joking, that last one [goal the team scored in the final] was the better goal, but I’ve really enjoyed the week. We had a great group, a great coach.”

She said it’s been a hard slog to get back into the representative fold.

But it’s certainly paying off. 

“I had to get a lot of miles in the legs to be noticed, but to then be selected for the Australian side, it’s really a privilege and an honour,” she said.

It’s an honour Orrock has fortunately had three times since coming back from her eight-year hiatus from masters hockey.

But with this year’s selection leading into the World Cup, it’s an achievement to savour.

A striker, Orrock scored five goals - the second highest of any player in her competition - at the championship, one that registered four wins and a loss against Queensland in the pool stages, before NSW got the last laugh in the one-goal victory in the final.

“It’s been really competitive for a number of years,” Orrock said.

A number of Orange masters were in Brisbane for the national championships, with Kerrie Woods’ NSW over-60 side, which was managed by Orange’s Jane Rowlands,  needing a shootoff to beat Western Australia, 2-1. Scores were locked at 1-1 at fulltime.

Wood was named as a shadow player for the Australian side to head to the World Cup in Canberra, which will be staged from March 28 to April 10, 2016.

Mel Hope’s over-40 team finished in third.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S OVER-60: Karen Allan (Carine, WA), Sue Bessell (Fairy Meadow, NSW), Sue Briggs (Baulkham Hills, NSW), Janet Driver (Blackburn, VIC), Robin Gorton (Baulkham Hills, NSW), Jennifer Grey (Kiama, NSW), Janese McDougall (Carine, WA), Margaret McIlwraith (Semaphore Park, SA), Susan Mott (Burleigh Heads, QLD), Deborah Orrock (Orange, NSW), Myra Reilly (River Heads, QLD), Jill Sheehan (Rivervale, WA), Jane Spalding (Homebush, NSW), Deborah Stockdale (Mornington, VIC), Lynette Tout (Werribee, VIC), Lynne Trustum (Claremone, TAS).