But on Monday she went a step closer to completing a childhood dream when she was named as part of the Hockeyroos’ 16-strong squad set to gun for gold at the Rio Olympic Games next month.

The Parkes product made her international debut at the age of 17 in 2013, chalking up 44 caps despite requiring fourth knee surgeries in that time.

The attacking gun was a stand-out for the Australians during their fourth-place finish at the Champions Trophy in London in June and says she couldn’t hide her emotions after finding out she’d be on a place bound for Brazil.

“I was pretty excited,” Williams said.

“I was jumping around the living room with my nieces and nephews. I don’t think they knew what was going on.”

Williams said, initially, she never dreamed of one day becoming an Olympic athlete – not until a school visit from former Kookaburra Stephen Davies.

Davies is a 274 game veteran on the international stage who also hails from Parkes.

“He came to school one day and did a bit of coaching and a few drills and it was fantastic … after that I thought I wanted to play hockey for Australia,” she said.

“I left Parkes at 14 and when I hit Newcastle things got pretty serious after that. I made a few rep teams and squads and then I was playing for Australia at 17.”

She said defying the knee troubles she’s had to be named in the Olympic squad was “all worth it”.

“I wouldn’t change anything about my career to date, or certainly about where it’s headed,”  Williams added.

The most recent world rankings released at the end of June place the Hockeyroos in third, while the Netherlands remain on top of the world and Argentina, after their stunning title success at the Hockey Champions Trophy, are locked in second place.

Williams was backing her side to be a strong medal chance, and was rapt she’d be representing Australia in front of family and friends in Rio.

“Mum and Dad are excited. It’ll be their first time overseas,” she added.

Australia's women head to the first South American Games set to compete in pool B against Argentina, Great Britain (ranked 6), USA (7), Japan (10) and India (13). Play starts on August 6.