IF Orange hockey gun Nick Hill plays his cards right, the 22-year-old could be playing in a World Cup.

The former Kinross Wolaroi student has been picked in the 28-strong Australia Men’s Indoor Hockey squad, one picked with an emphasis on developing athletes, increasing the depth of indoor athletes and providing players with greater experience at a higher level working towards the 2018 World Cup.

Hill said he was stunned to earn selection in the initial squad.

“It was surprising I guess because I don’t play a lot of indoor,” Hill said, his main focus, at the moment, being on outdoor hockey with the Burwood Briars in the Sydney Premier League competition.

“And to be picked alongside some of the best indoor players in the country I was pretty happy with that effort.” 

Hill, who played Australian National League hockey with NSW Waratahs last season, said now he’s knocking on the door of a World Cup berth, he’s going to give the opportunity his whole attention.

“Well, like anything with hockey, I don’t shy away from an opportunity and I have been given one I didn’t expect here so will strive to make it as far as I am able to,” he said.

“And if somehow that’s 2018 World Cup than that’s what I will go for.”

The squad was selected from under-21s and opens national championships, where Hill captained the Blues at an under-21s level.

Hill scored five goals as NSW secured bronze with a 4-3 win over Western Australia in the bronze-medal play-off.

“I don’t really play indoor at all, I just play it to keep my fitness and skills up over the summer and too have a break from the serious stuff and have fun with mates ... I never thought it would lead to any squads like this,” Hill added.

Australian men’s coach Steve Willer said the 2016 squad was selected from the athletes nominated by all the state coaches at the recent national championships.

“Squad athletes will participate in training camp in October 2016, with selected athletes from the squad to participate in a European Tour in December 2016 or January 2017,” Willer said.

MEN’S SQUAD: Matthew Argent (Albany Park, QLD), Aidan Campbell (Ashgrove, QLD), Brad Clark (High Wycombe, WA), Mark Ellis (Bicton, WA), Scott Govers (Albion Park, NSW), Niranjan Gupte (Hawker, ACT), Jack Hayes (Albion Park, NSW), Nick Hill (Orange, NSW), Cameron Hyde (Thornlie, WA), Daniel Jolliffe (Unanderra, NSW), James Knee (Bentleigh, VIC), Aiden Lowes (Dianella, WA), Tom Madden (Morningside, QLD), Will Mcilwain (Kew, VIC), Alex Mckay (Wollongong, NSW), Zach Meaden (Eltham, VIC), Luke Noblett (Gymea, NSW), Heath Ogilvie (Woonona, NSW), Ben Rennie (Scarborough, WA), Adam Seccull (Brighton, VIC), Jake Sherren (Glen Iris, VIC), Lachlan Sinclair (Eudlo, QLD), Tom Sinclair (Armadale, VIC), Ben Staines (Goulburn, NSW) (ACT team), Jared Taylor (Everton Park, QLD), Andrew Vaitekenas (Stoneville, WA), Ryan Whittle (Goulburn, ACT), Jackson Willie (Park Avenue, QLD).