Smith, working with Hockey NSW and the Macquarie Sports Foundation, hosted a two hour clinic arming children from Cowra’s St Raphael’s and Young North Public School with the game’s basic skills.

Originally from Crookwell, Smith explained how enjoyable it is to be involved.

“For me to get back here is great, it’s something I love,” Emily Smith said.

“Hockey was a big thing in Crookwell when I was a junior, it was just something we did.

“The kids love sport and these opportunities to meet a famous person, not that I’d call myself that, but for them it’s very exciting,” she laughed.

Participants at the clinic completed a number of drills, before splitting into teams and playing several short games.

Smith threw herself into the action and was impressed with what the children had to offer.

“Considering the majority of them haven’t played hockey or haven’t had much of a go, there’s some really good kids out here with great hand-eye coordination,” she said.

Smith is on an extended break following the Rio Olympics, where the Hockeyroos failed to medal after being knocked out in the quarter-finals by New Zealand.

“I’ve just been getting back into the gym, almost like a preseason program to step back from hockey and refresh before starting again next year for the beginning of the four year Olympic cycle.

“You have to be mentally prepared and ready to put the hard yards in,” she explained before talking about the Rio Olympics.

“Hockey-wise it was disappointing to lose the quarter-final. The whole experience itself is something you can’t describe. It’s exactly what you’d dream of.”