THE Victorian under 21 side will have a healthy dose of Kookaburras in the mix with three of Greensborough Hockey Club’s State League One women gaining selection.

Hana Peake, Sarah Houghton-Sims and Steph Doutré made it through the lengthy selection process and will now be vital components in the team, which heads to Tasmania this month for the National Championships.

Striker Houghton-Sims, 18, will be at home in the forward line for the Vics in her seventh state representation.

“I am excited about the selection and want to win the national title,” she said. “A few goals wouldn’t be a bad thing either.”

Peake, a successful all-round athlete on the track, will be putting the opposition states through their paces on the hockey field.

Originally from Albury, she lives in Bundoora while studying at Latrobe University.

The 19-year-old who played in the under 21s last year, also made her debut for the Victorian Vipers this year.

“It was a really good experience, I learned a lot and got a lot to take away from it,” she said. “I’ve got an idea of what to expect (at the under 21 nationals). I didn’t have the best tournament last year, so I am looking forward to improving.”

Doutré, who was also named joint-captain of the side, will slot into the back line for the blue and white.

The Bundoora resident was called up to represent the under 21s at the last minute last year, making the squad as a train-on before an injury to a team-mate saw her fly to Adelaide for the tournament.

Not making the initial squad last year served as inspiration for this year, Doutré said.

“I was a bit disappointed not to have made the team last year but it made me train harder to make sure I made it this time,” she said. “(The aim for the team is) to make finals and win. Personally, I am just aiming to play the best that I can.”

As joint-captain with Hawthorn’s Kary Chau, Doutré, 20, said there was added pressure to perform.

“(With the captaincy) I have to make sure I lead by example,” she said.

The under 21 Australia Women’s Championship will take place from 1-12 July in Hobart Tasmania.