Eight junior players from Launceston have been selected to fill men’s and women’s U15 and U18 teams.

On Monday, U18 men  travelled to play at Parkville, Victoria, while the U18 women headed to Adelaide’s Gepp’s Cross hockey centre.

The U15 women’s squad will leave on Wednesday for a Saturday bout at Southport, Queensland, leaving the U15 boys to play at Hobart on the same day.

Northern region hockey coach Brett Withington said the players’ selection would play a large role in their development.

‘‘To be exposed to that level of hockey is really important for these kids,’’ Withington said.

‘‘They can see what other states are capable of doing, it’s a big learning curve.’’

Although Hobart holds the majority of state representatives, Withington said the sport was not to be taken lightly in Launceston.

‘‘With our population we’ve got two water-based turfs, we’re lucky to have that awesome facility.’’

‘‘We’ve got a good coaching program up this way, it’s mainly run out of Hobart but there are many coaches up here doing their bit as well.’’

Withinton said the younger players from the North usually took a bit longer to get up to scratch, but was confident of the performance of the U18 men’s team.

‘‘In 2013 the U16 team got bronze, that’s the same crew in the U18s now,’’ he said.

‘‘They’re always in with a chance, but the U18 men have got a good team, you’d expect them to place.’’