Hockey Australia announced the 2019 squads on Tuesday, February 12 leaving two local stars grinning from ear to ear. 

They are set to tour Austria later in the year with Horner on the Men's Open touring team and Leard performing on the Open Women's side, a first for them both.

Horner said he was lucky enough to not only make the touring team but also the Australian Men's Open and U21 Indoor Hockey Training Camp to be held in Wollongong from October 11 to October 13.

"Yeah very excited to be able to wear the green and gold, I was lucky enough to make both teams and will head to Austria in November," he said.

He also said he believed he had put in the hard yards to get to this point.

"I believe I put in the hard work, I had to travel to Wollongong or Sydney every Sunday for a few months to train before the championships," he said.

Despite having previously toured with the junior Kookaburras in outdoor hockey this was Horner's first time touring with the Australian Indoor side.

He said he wasn't quite sure what to expect with details not fully released yet but looked forward to the challenge.

"Not sure on who we are playing yet, but indoor hockey is massive overseas so I'm excited to come up against top class players," Horner said.

For Leard it was much the same being her first time in the team.

"I previously made the Australian Development team in 2017 and toured to the US but this is my first time in the Australian Open Women's side," she said.

She also said it was exciting to make the team and represent Australia.

"It's a really great opportunity to get to travel overseas and play especially with indoor hockey being a lot bigger in Europe, playing some of the European teams will be a good challenge," she said.

Leard also wanted to take the opportunity to thank her parents for their support.

Horner and Leard will jet to Austria in November where they will compete in the 2019 FIH Indoor World Cup.

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