Jacob Nelson is still coming to terms with it all but a very exciting couple of weeks looms for the rising inline hockey player.
The St Paul’s Collegiate pupil travels to Anaheim, California, this week and will line up for New Zealand in the 14-years-and-under team that will compete in events including the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) World Youth Cup.
The year 10 pupil is unsure what to expect from the competition, having only competed against Australia in an Oceania competition in the past.
But Nelson is excited about the opportunity to play kids his own age from countries such as Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany and hosts the United States.
Nelson was realistic of his side’s chances against more experienced countries, but says they will give it their all on the rink.
"We're just going in and do as well as we can," Nelson said. "We've never been [to a world championships] before with our country, so we don't know how we are going to go in the younger age groups."
While inline hockey might not have the following of other team sports, Nelson recalls taking up the game after watching his older brother, Daniel, play. The 14-year-old believes the speed and aggression fuel his passion for playing.
Now that Nelson has broken through to the national team, he is motivated to keep working to make other national sides. His friends also encourage him to maintain a high standard of play.
Nelson will be aiming to lace up the skates again when he returns from the United States and will be in action for the Hamilton Devils inline hockey club. From there Nelson will attempt to earn selection in the Central North Island regional team.
He would like to transition to ice hockey eventually and possibly play in America’s National Hockey League.
