HE MAY only be in his second season of playing hockey, but Mathew Axtill has shown he can carry on family tradition in the sport.

Mathew, 12, won the best and fairest award for the women's competition in the Griffith competition's 2014 season.

With not enough juniors to play in their own competition, boys under the age of 16 are allowed to play in the women's competition to get a grounding in the game.

Mathew plays for Griffith Retirement Estate with his grandmother Jan and older sister Chelsea, 15, with younger brother Corey, 11, occasionally playing as well.

Jan Axtill has been a fixture on hockey fields in the MIA for many years and has never stopped playing, bringing her children and now her grandchildren into the sport.

Griffith Retirement Estate finished second overall in 2014 after taking out the minor premiership, with Mathew was recognised for a strong season at the competition's presentation night.

Usually found on the wing, Mathew started the season in fine style, netting three goals in the opening game.

Coming from a sporting bloodline, he has good hand-eye co-ordination and after playing two seasons now has a better understanding of the rules of hockey, gaining confidence to play the game.

Mathew also played played in a junior representative team and his preformances drew comment from some of the older players.

Although his focus has now shifted to cricket, playing C grade for Yanco Cougars, Mathew is keen to keep playing hockey over the winter.