Players have been learning fundamental hockey skills and playing both modified and full-field games.

An increasing number of Mudgee juniors have joined representative teams across the region.

Junior Hockey coordinator, Jo Ione said the Association's numbers have increased compared to the year before last for juniors.

"That's something we've really been working on, getting more children involved so we can run more training drills and have small games," Ms Ione said.

Mudgee Hockey Association has affiliated with Hockey NSW under Lithgow, which allows players to participate in representative hockey.

"Rather than children having to completely leave Mudgee Hockey to play at Lithgow or Bathurst and join their representative teams, we've been able to have them play at Mudgee and then join the representative teams," Ms Ione said.

"We don't have enough quite enough numbers to have our own Mudgee under 13s team in State Championships so it's great that other associations like Lithgow and Bathurst are letting our children play, so they still get the experience. We're very thankful to those associations."

Mudgee does not have an artificial turf, which is the preferred playing surface for hockey, however the partnership with other clubs has allowed Mudgee players to practice in better conditions.

"Sometimes it's a bit of a shock to them at first because playing on the artificial turf is so different, but it's an experience they can't get in Mudgee and it's just a much nicer surface to play hockey on," Ms Ione said.

"It would be really nice if Mudgee could get a synthetic turf, so children could train on the same surface they play at in competitions and host carnivals. It's something that other sports like soccer or netball could use, or when the grass fields are closed."

Maree and Amy Ioane played with Bathurst in the Under 18s Hockey Girls NSW State Championships in Ballina and Lismore in late May.

Makayla Richardson and Amy Ioane played with Bathurst, who came second in Division 2 at under 15 Girls State Championships.

They have had carnivals at both Lithgow and Moorebank and completed their campaign with the Under 15 Girls Hockey NSW State Championships at Lithgow over the weekend.

Noah Caligari, Jarrah Leary, Theodore Richards and Alexander Walker-Cooke joined the Lithgow Under 13s Boys team at the Western Conference carnival on June 6.

Lucas Cox is joining the group to play in the Under 13 Boys Hockey NSW State Championships at Parkes in the July school holidays.

Jo Ione from Mudgee Junior Hockey said the club are planning to enter a team in the Under 11s Western Conference carnival in July.

This would be the first stand-alone Mudgee junior team in many years and demonstrates growing interest in the sport.

"The kids are really excited to be able to play at that next level where they're challenged a bit more, and with kids their own age. They come back really determined to work hard and improve their skills," Ms Ione said.

It's not too late for players to try hockey in Mudgee. Hockey NSW is holding a NSW Pride Under 12s School Holiday Camp on July 6 at Victoria Park. This is for children born from 2009-2013.

Junior hockey is being played on Friday afternoons at Victoria Park. There are 51 registered players.

Registrations are online at Hockey NSW.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: