The 16-year-old striker has been named on HC Melbourne's emerging talent squad in addition to being chosen for the Victorian Under-18 Boys team that will compete at the 2021 National Championships in Tasmania.

He was astonished when he found out he'd been selected for HC Melbourne.

"When I found out that I'd been picked for the squad it came as quite the surprise," he laughed.

"I was over the moon as I had no idea that I had really trialled for the team.

"I attended a training camp last year and didn't realise that it was part of the trial.

"I put no pressure on myself and just went down to Melbourne to do my best."

The next thing Anderson knew was that he'd been named on the team, with an opportunity to learn from some of the best.

His appointment to the squad will see him undertake an elite tailored training program which includes a mixture of fitness and hockey skills.

HC Melbourne competes in the Hockey One League which features seven teams from across Australia.

The competition serves as the premier domestic league for athletes to advance their skills with the aim of going on to represent Australia's national teams.

The appointment is a major tick for Anderson on his journey to his ultimate goal, donning the green and gold, just like his older brother Ethan.

In addition, in April he will head south to Launceston to play with the Victorian Under-18 Boys team at the 2021 National Championships.

Anderson is among the younger players on the team and is eager to embrace the challenge.

"This is the next step towards my goal of representing Australia and has given me the opportunity to play with top-age blokes who always go above and beyond to help us younger guys so we can learn more about the game," Anderson said.

"It's great to learn from the older guys."

His experience at Strathdale, NWL and previous years with other state teams has developed Anderson into a fit, speedy player who has a "deadly reverse stick strike".

As all athletes did, he hit a roadblock last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, he made the most of the opportunity and continued training in his own time.

"In a way the whole lockdown gave me the chance to focus on my fitness," he said.

"I would go for a run every morning and get out some cones at home and run a few drills."

Overall he couldn't be more pleased with how he has progressed.

"I really feel like I am on the right path and doing well which is definitely shown through my selection to the HC Melbourne emerging squad and the Victorian Under-18s.

"I also feel that I am only going to become an even better player in the future."

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