Wellington product and Orange Thunder gun has been picked for the national youth squad

Kinross gun Josie Clarke was all three of those things when she found out she'd been picked for the under-18s Youth Trans-Tasman National Youth Program Squad.

Thunder products Jack Cole (under-20s men's), Caitlin Prestwidge and Hailey Prestwidge were also given the nod as the the quartet will aim to put their best foot forward ahead of the Christchurch series in April.

While all four players have walked their own path in the lead-up to this selection, Clarke took somewhat of a scenic route.

After growing up in Wellington, the 17-year-old didn't get her first taste of Thunder touch football until she was 14, but has made massive improvements since then.

"For four Orange locals to be picked for the Aussie squad... I was just so surprised and shocked," Clarke said.

"We'd just won junior regionals and we were all excited about that, and then we got this announcement."

There's still four months to go before the Queensland camp, meaning Clarke will look to make the most of the summer months ahead.

Alongside Hailey Prestwidge, Clarke will co-captain the ladies Lakers side in the upcoming Struddy's Super Series.

"I really want to get fitter and then just work on some other things within the game of touch," she said.

Much has been made of Thunder's acceleration to the pointy end of regional rankings, and Clarke says these four selections are a testament to all the dedication that's been shown by committee members.

"Winning state cups is really good and it just shows all of their hard work," she said.

"Every single one of them is putting in work and it's paying off."

Clarke is also part of the Orange Hawks under-18s league tag side, a dominant unit that had its quest for another title denied.

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