SUE Hope has again achieved what she describes as her “ultimate goal” - being named in the NSW over-55 women’s hockey team.

The Orange player will represent NSW at the Hockey Australia Women’s Veterans Championships in Brisbane starting on Friday.

Hope was in the over-55s side in 2006 but a severe injury during the national event meant she required knee surgery.

Last year she was picked as a shadow for the NSW team but instead contested the national championships as part of the South Australian side.

“That proved to me I could do a nationals after my knee surgery,” Hope said.

“It’s nice to be back with NSW after all that. The Blues is the ultimate aim.”

Hope originally questioned whether she would trial for the NSW team this year as she had a niggling hip injury.

It proved to be no problem as she was named in the 15-player state squad.

“I’m nervous and excited at the moment. To be back in the NSW side is a big thing for me,” she said.

The 58-year-old has no shortage of experience when it comes to the Australian Veterans Championships.

In 2004 she played with the Northern Territory in their over-50s side.

When she represented NSW in 2006 the side took out the national title and NSW were runners-up last year.

NSW is again expected to be competitive this year with only four new players coming into the side, including Hope.

Hope said she is not sure where she will play during the championships but feels at home in defence. While she is focused on the 2008 championships, Hope has thought about future events and has a few goals.

“My eldest daughter will soon be eligible for veterans,” Hope said.

“I’d love to go to a championships with her. I’d dearly love to play next year, too, because the championships are in Tasmania.”

Hope flies out to Brisbane today and will train with the NSW team tomorrow and Thursday. The NSW 55s will start their campaign on Friday when they take on Victoria.

On Saturday they will come up against South Australia followed by Queensland 2 on Sunday.

The championships will continue through next week before the finals are played on Saturday, October 4.