You’re the last line of defence, you spend the game wrapped in hefty protective clothing and are under regular bombardment by high-speed projectiles.

Being a hockey goalkeeper is not everyone’s idea of an ideal sporting day out, but Caitlin King loves her work.

The 17-year-old year-13 student at Marlborough Girls’ College has been spending her winter sporting weekends in goal since she was 10 and relishes the challenge. Her skills have earned her a place in various rep sides over the past seven years, highlighted by selection in the Marlborough senior women’s team last year.

Now her goal-tending prowess has caught the eye of the folks from across the strait, earning her selection in a Capital under-18 training squad which is preparing for the national tournament in July.

She initially donned the pads and gloves when her under-13 side found they didn’t have anyone who wanted to play in goal.

“Because of my height and build Dad [former Marlborough player Malcolm King] decided I would fill the goal and I didn’t look back.”

It was a little bit scary at first, as anything where you have balls flying at you would be.”

She quickly adapted though, suggesting that just walking in the protective gear was the hardest thing to get used to initially.

Despite the fact her job is to put herself in the way of fast-moving missiles, Caitlin doesn’t consider goal a dangerous position to be in.

“I would probably consider myself safer than some of the other defenders, because in PCs [penalty corners] I have got $3000 worth of gear on while they have just got a hockey stick and maybe a face mask.”

She is well aware that she is seen as the final barrier to goal, but points out that defence is a team issue.

“I am the last line of defence, but before it gets to me there are 10 other people [the attackers] have to get through. What I do in the situation is important, but 10 other people’s decisions have led up to it.”

“You need to be confident. Not only in yourself but in what you are telling the others around you to do. If you make a mistake there, it affects the whole outcome.

“As a goalie you don’t always get recognised as being a key player, but I find your team are always thankful for what you do.”

She credits the influence of her father for whetting her appetite for the game.

“When I was growing up, being at the turf every weekend, watching him play, grabbing a spare stick out of his bag and having a hit round at halftime. He’s been basically my main coach my whole hockey career. He can be tough, but always supportive.”

Although some may consider goalkeeper a less glamorous position than the outfielders, Caitlin is staying between the sticks and has her eyes firmly set on higher honours.

However, she will have her work cut out to make the Capital side. Seven goalies trialled for the squad, Caitlin and three others were chosen and two of them will be dropped before the final squad is named.

If she makes the cut, Caitlin will train in Blenheim, with the occasional trip to Wellington for specialised coaching.

After the regional under-18 tournament a New Zealand U18 development side is chosen.

“To get picked in that side would be massive,” added Caitlin, who dreamt at age seven she would one day play for the Black Sticks.”

“That dream’s still there”, she added.

Although hockey is her main passion, Caitlin has enjoyed success in several other sports.

Earlier this month she and fellow MGC student Amelia Hamilton won the pairs title at the Tasman secondary schools lawn bowls champs. She has also tried her hand at netball, softball, touch and cricket but it is on the hockey turf she feels most at home.