Jack Waddell (17), Jack Gilbert (18), Johnny Thorn (18), Ginny Wilson (18) and Tessa Topp (18) are all hoping they can follow in the footsteps of players such as Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Blair Tarrant and Kane Russell and make the senior national side one day.
There is a much hard work ahead, of course. So far, they have only made 30-strong squads and will have to survive the cull. National camps will be held in October and about 12 players from the men's and women's squads will be cut.
But it was not that long ago when squads like this would come out and they would barely feature a player from the southern region.
There are two goalies among the five players. Wilson, who hails from Middlemarch, started playing hockey when she was 6.
''I was so surprised,'' she said, when asked about her inclusion in the squad.
''I've been working hard and stuff and it is something I've always wanted but you just never know if you will make it.''
There are three other goalies in the women's squad and Wilson is unsure where she is in the pecking order.
Jack Waddell (Dunedin) has slightly better odds. There are three goalies competing for two spots in the men's under-18 team. Like Wilson, he is unsure how highly he is rated.
''I don't really know. We'll just have to see how it goes,'' he said.
Jack Gilbert (Queenstown) plays in the midfield and captains the Southern under-18 squad.
''It is something I've been working towards but it was still a surprise to get in the team,'' Gilbert said.
''I'll definitively be working hard to make the cut.''
Gilbert plays for Albany in the club competition alongside Waddell and Thorn.
Thorn is at King's High School and is a talented midfield who is highly regarded. Tessa Jopp, also a midfielder, completes the quintet.
