Archie Clarke's reply was immediate and somewhat surprising.

Given his monk-like devotion to hockey and his steep ascent in the sport, the Australian under-16 captain's response when asked to name the greatest love of his life seemed like a forgone conclusion.

Surely it would be hockey. Wrong.

"Probably the love for my parents," the 17-year-old replied, after helping inspire Farrer to a third straight state hockey championship with a 3-0 win over Oxley High at the Tamworth Hockey Centre.

In Armidale-based Lynne and Giles, Clarke has parents who are totally committed to facilitating his Olympic dream.

Countless hours spent driving their son to the coast and elsewhere as part of his relentless quest to become a better player, and the considerable financial impost associated with that,

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