Held in Goulburn, from January 9-12, NSW opened their tournament with a comprehensive 11-1 victory against Victoria – with both Donovan and captain Mayo finding the back of the net.

Later that day, the defeated Queensland 8-1, with Donovan scoring the team’s seventh goal.

The following day, NSW split their two matches, enjoying victory against Tasmania 9-nil and before losing by one goal to Western Australia 4-3.

Mayo scored two goals from penalty corners against Tasmania before scoring another against Western Australia – which levelled the scores at 3-all before Western Australian skipper Ashley Ranford scored his team’s winner, off a penalty corner.

The trio’s side rebounded against ACT, defeating them 6-nil, with both Donovan and Mayo scoring braces.

Later that day, NSW won their semi-final 8-2 against Tasmania – with Donovan scoring the team’s second goal – sending the team into a grand final match-up with ACT.

“The team as a whole had a very strong performance – many of us have played to for a number of years so we gelled beautifully from the first game, where we won 11-nil against Victoria,” Mackay said.

“Our confidence grew and we were excited to see where this team could go.

“We only lost one game in the group stage and went into the finals as the top seed.

“A strong victory in the semi-final against Tasmania held us in good stead for the final.”

Unfortunately, NSW couldn’t replicate their form from earlier in the tournament and fell in the decider 6-2, after the score was 2-all at half-time.

“In the final, we were unable to break down the ACT defence,” Mackay said,

“They were able to score in important times and were able to maintain there discipline through the match.

“It was a very disappointing way to finish the week but the whole team is able to come back next year into the under 21 age group and see if we can go one better.”

Mackay, who spent months away from the game of hockey in the United Kingdom in 2017, is keen to use this tournament as a springboard for the upcoming season.

“After being away from the game for 12 months, I was surprised how much I missed playing the sport at a high level and wearing the NSW shirt,” he said,

“As soon as I stepped on the the court for the first game, I had the rush of adrenaline and was ready to play.

“Personally I thought I took a few games to get into the tournament due to my short preparation but by the final, I was very confident in my own game and excited for the upcoming season.

“Over the next few months, I will be training with NSWIS in Sydney, in preparation for the under 21 outdoor trials in late March.

“I will be returning to training with University of Wollongong Hockey Club and Moorebank/Liverpool Hockey Club in Sydney – with also starting my university degree at UOW.”

NSW under 21s men’s indoor hockey squad: Brady Anderson, James Doherty, Jack Donovan, Ehren Hazell, Daniel Jolliffe, Callum Mackay, Dylan Martin, Joshua Mayo, Thomas Miotto and Dane Richards.