Their strong Wairarapa connection promises to play a big part in Central District's bid to win the women's title at the national under-21 hockey championships in Whangarei next week.
Current Wairarapa College first XI skipper Jess Lucas will be joined in the Central Districts line-up by no fewer than five Manawatu
players who developed their game in this part of the country, Wendy Hull, Kellie Browne, Sara Crofoot, Carla Burt and Pip Tocker.
And what's more they will be coached by prominent Carterton hockey identity
Lance Hare, who believes a top four finish in the seven-region competition is within their scope.
Which is big praise indeed when you consider the under-21 event is the second highest-ranked tournament in the country behind the national league and that many of the players involved have already played at the latter level, and also on the international stage.
Hare's confidence stems from the solid form shown by Central Districts in a busy lead-up to the Whangarei tourney, form which has included three matches against Wellington for a win, a draw and a loss and a game against the powerful Midlands combination which they lost by 3-1.
In none of those matches has Hare been able to field a full strength side because of availability issues caused by the vast area which Central Districts encompasses so he justifiably anticipates them showing huge improvement next week.
"It will be nice to get everybody together and actually be able to put out our strongest team ," he said. "The potential is definitely there to be very competitive, and that's the aim."
Two ex-Wairarapa players, Tara Hall and Holly Gaskin, will be part of the Wellington women's team in Whangarei while another, Sophie Wickens, will be playing for Midlands.
In the men's grade too past and present Wairarapa players will be seen in good numbers. Dane Lett and Tobyn Yeo are playing for Central Districts, Orin Lockyer for Midlands and Rowan Yeo and Shane Hodgkiss for Wellington.
