In terms of hockey pedigrees, they don't come much better than the bloodline of Oliver Stebbings.
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With parents Jeremy and Lynette both Northern stalwarts, 13-year-old Oli is dreaming high, with the national side on his mind.
The Queechy High School student did nothing to hurt his dream at the under-13 national carnival, awarded Tasmania's most valuable player.
Finishing fifth at the championships with six wins, three draws and two losses, Oli said the team exceeded expectations and described his own performance as "playing pretty well" with mum Lynette more descriptive.
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"Oli played really well. He played as full back and he hasn't played a lot of full back, usually playing in the midfield," she said.
"He took on a leadership-type role positioning people and calling them into places and really stepped up there."
Launceston City team-mates Darcy Carless and Hugh Shaw performed well as Launceston Church Grammar's Flynn Lester who plays for GNL side Smithton.
"Hugh played striker as well as Darcy and they both played really well. Hugh got a couple of goals which was really good.
"It's all about experience for these young blokes and they all stepped up and learnt a lot from the carnival."
Coinciding with the Tassie Tigers' Hockey One debut, the under-13 side got to spend a day with Australian 350-gamer Eddie Ockenden who imparted his wisdom and Oli soaked up the time with his hockey idol who has achieved the dream.
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