The 18-year-old goalie represented Tasmania at the 2011 national inline hockey championships in Hobart late last year.

As a result of his performances at the national titles, Sulzberger has been selected as one of several Tasmanians in an Australian team to contest the Oceania inline hockey championships in New Zealand in April.

He was also the only Tasmanian picked in an Australian team to contest the junior world inline championships in Colombia, in July.

``I was shocked when I found out that I had been picked in the national team because there is a lot of talent in the other states,'' he said.

Sulzberger is responsible for meeting his own expenses to travel overseas, as the sport does not receive federal government funding.

`` It will cost me several thousand dollars to compete in both competitions,'' he said.

``Mum and dad have bought me new goalie equipment and are helping me out as much as they can.

``We've started some fund-raising walking the streets selling chocolates to offset the costs, and I'm working as many shifts in my casual job at KFC as I can.

``I've sent letters to politicians and companies - any sponsorship from local businesses would be greatly appreciated.''

Anyone able to help with sponsorship should contact him via email at jake.sulzberger@hotmail.com.