With some players such as Cass Hanrahan as young as 10, the side was battling and scrapping against players much, much older than its members, but the group if anything relished the challenge of the age gap to win silver in division three.

The Orange side went undefeated through its group stage of four games and won into the grand final off the back of a 3-1 win over Coffs Coast and coach Annie said the side embraced the contact and physicality of playing up an age group.

"They didn't back down at all, they weren't intimidated at all, they played our game, played our structure, did what I asked and delivered," she said.

The side went down 2-nil to Illawarra South Coast in the decider, but considering Pakinga said she'd simply been hoping to give them exposure at a state level ahead of the Under 13 Indoor State Championships in Orange in two weeks' time, the side went above and beyond in Gosford.

"I knew they were a strong team but I didn't expect them to go as well as they have done," Pakinga said.

"The training we've put into these girls and the structure we played them at just clicked, they're on par at the same level.

"I'm hoping a couple of them will be looked at for NSW selection."

This was the first proper hit-out the squad had had together, as while many of the girls play field hockey together 2019 is the first time they've all been in the same indoor team.

The under-15 side competed in division two, and with four players who'd never lined up on indoor hockey courts before Pakinga - who coached both sides - admitted the side struggled at times but fought back to draw their relegation match to stay in division two for 2020.

"That was pretty tough on the girls who had played and by the end the ones who were newbies got it, I couldn't have asked for more of them."

"The dedication of kids is absolutely amazing and an awesome effort and I'm really proud of all of them," she said, also thanking parents and coaches for helping on the sidelines and getting the side to Gosford.

The under 13 state championships begin on November 1 at the PCYC, with two girls' sides and one boys' outfit.