Ledger began playing field hockey for the Kalamunda Hockey Club when he was 11 years old. He was so dedicated to hockey that his father served as president of the club from 1990 to 1992. People even speculated that he might make a living as a professional field hockey player, but he finally chose acting. After finishing high school, Ledger played amateur tournaments across Australia before moving to New Zealand where he trained with top actors and competed in local theater productions. Heath started off by practicing martial arts at age 6. When he reached puberty, he gave it up because he felt there were more important things to do with his time. He later said that if he had continued with martial arts, he would have become one of the best fighters in Australia. As a teenager, Ledger took up surfing and skateboarding. He also enjoyed tennis and cricket during his childhood days. Heath first gained attention after winning a battle of the bands contest in 1997. The following year, he starred in a commercial for Walkers bread which became a huge success. From then on, he could never really escape from being known as the "Walking Bread". He followed this up with leading roles in popular movies such as The Patriot, The Lone Ranger, and Iron Man. In addition, he performed in some Australian films including Underneath the Boardwalk, Blackrock, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.