Since earning a spot in the Victorian under-15 team, Porra has been training three times a week in Melbourne to fine-tune his discipline.

He will take his game on the national stage for the Australian under-15 boys’ championships in Hobart, from April 11.

Porra enjoys the challenge that comes with one of the toughest roles in the team.

“It is (high pressure) but at the end of the day, that’s why I do it,” Porra said.

“I like the fact you have the ability to try and save the goal at the very end.

“...I often practice my own things while (teammates) all do training. Goalkeepers have to have really good reflexes and agility, so I work on that.”

Porra had been playing hockey with Ballarat club Blaze but fell into a keeping role at St Patrick’s College when his school team was short.

He loved it and took up the keepers’ role last season full-time for WestVic in state league matches.

Porra impressed enough for an invitation to Hockey Victoria’s junior academy and the chance to trial for the state team.

WestVic senior coach Tammy Hansford, Blaze coach Megan Nestor and state coach Chris Vaughan, who is based in Ballarat, helped support Porra with advice and individual training sessions.

Juggling school and training has been hard, but Porra said it was definitely worthwhile.

“You’ve just got to find ways to balance,” Porra said.

“You can’t have too much of any one thing.”

The 14-year-old said he was thrilled to make the state team to learn more about the game and continually perfecting the art of keeping.

Now, he can hardly wait to learn more from the best his age that other states put in the nets.

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