The Inverell High School student caught the eye of Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) selectors, and has been given the chance to take his sport to the next level, including overseas. 

“(I was) pretty confident about getting in,” Stewart said. He said one of his main strengths was scoring.

“He’s really keen,” Inverell coach Jackson Stafford said. With three years of NIAS under his own belt, Stafford is an invaluable trainer for the rising hockey star as he takes on the grueling training

With a minimum of 60 hours of training required, Stewart visits Armidale and Tamworth every second weekend. He appreciates the varied learning styles of the Hockey NSW boys head coach Greg Doolan and assistant coach, former NIAS athlete Josh Worpel.

“Greg is pretty full on and gets us to do what we have to do, and Josh is more of a fun type of coach, where if we do it, he likes to have a bit of a laugh about it. They’re both really good coaches,” he said.

His next game in Newcastle is sure to be a challenge, and Stafford promises the players won’t hold back. However it is the possibility of competing in New Zealand next September that has Stewart most excited.

“I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. But I wasn’t expecting to go for hockey!” he said.