On the same day the 18-year-old was named in the Tasmanian team to contest this year’s Australian Hockey League he also learned he is part of the national futures group identifying players with a view towards the 2016 junior world cup in India.

‘‘They are both huge opportunities for me,’’ said the Launceston-born goalkeeper, as he prepares to team up with the likes of World Cup-winning Olympians Eddie Ockenden and Tim Deavin.

‘‘The AHL is a great opportunity for my development to be able to go away with a side with five guys all involved in the national team. I’m absolutely rapt to have this opportunity at my age.

‘‘It’s amazing to have the exposure that comes with a national competition. We’ve got an incredible group of guys and hope to do well.’’

A former Riverside Primary, High and Launceston College student, Pearson played with Launceston City in the Northern Hockey League until the middle of last year when he moved to Hobart and joined University.

He attended a national training camp in Brisbane in January and will join another on the Gold Coast later in the year having been among a handful of Tasmanians to make the 2014-15 national futures group of 60 young players that have shown potential towards international standard performance levels.

Aaron Guilliamse, who moved to Hobart from his native Holland 20 years ago, has been Tasmania’s AHL keeper for the past three years but his unavailability resulted in the Tigers looking to both youth and experience between the sticks.

Experienced West Australian goalkeeper Tristan Clemons came in to fill the void but coach Glenn Freeman and Tasmanian Institute of Sport hockey coach Andrew McDonald are keen to see him mentor Pearson into a long-term replacement.

‘‘Clemons is a very high quality keeper and part of his role will be to assist us to develop young Jayden,’’ Freeman said.

‘‘We have got the experience in the group and hope to use that to develop the young players.

‘‘Jayden has got a lot of potential. I think he’s a good upcoming keeper and a perfect example of the good young players we’ve got coming through.’’

McDonald added: ‘‘What we’re seeing from Jayden is a real commitment to getting better. That involves a real dedication to getting his physique right to being a goalkeeper.

‘‘Hockey is in his blood and they are the sorts of people that keep jumping hurdles. He is dedicated and wants to get better and this is a really good opportunity for him at the AHL with Tristan.

‘‘By the time of the next junior world cup, we want his name on a piece of paper in front of the selectors.’’

Pearson said young Tasmanian players like himself were reaping the benefits of national representatives including Ockenden, Deavin, Matthew Wells and David Guest.