Hockeyroos spots up for grabs for WA's most talented

Georgia Wilson and Karri Somerville headline the cream of the crop of Western Australia's women's hockey talent fighting for selection in the national squads at the upcoming Hockey Australia Super Camp, running from the 6th to the 16th of November at Perth Hockey Stadium.

Western Australia is in a unique position, being able to have a high representation at the camp, with players Candyce Peacock, Aleisha Power, Karri Somerville, Penny Squibb, Shanea Tonkin and Georgia Wilson showcasing their talents for selection into the Hockeyroos squad.

40 athletes will take part in the camp that will comprise four intra-squad matches that will be treated as proper international fixtures.

These fully competitive matches, coupled with the other elements of the camp, will largely determine selection for next year’s Hockeyroos squad that will then compete for a spot in Australia’s team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.

The selection camp is being held due to this year’s FIH Pro League and Sultana Bran Hockey One League competitions being postponed because of COVID.

“Considering the circumstances due to COVID, we need an opportunity to refresh and reselect the group another year down the track,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin.

“This camp provides an opportunity to refine and get more specific about what we need for our group going forward, not only for Tokyo but the period leading up to the Paris Olympics in 2024.”

“We are expecting the athletes to perform at a high level at the camp and the girls have known all year that this is going to be the time to put their name forward.”

Players’ performances during their local competitions were monitored throughout the year, but Gaudoin says there are a multiple factors of the camp that will impact squad selection.

“We are looking for players who perform, make good decisions under pressure and who are buying into the team values and behaviours. All of this will be taken into account,” said Gaudoin.

The pressure cooker environment of a selection camp gives the contingent of athletes attending who are not currently in the Hockeyroos squad the chance to show they deserve a permanent spot.

“Many of those girls have had limited opportunities this year because of the COVID restrictions but that has also meant that they have been able to bunker down and improve on their game,” said Gaudoin.

“We expect the players coming in from outside the current squad to be right in contention. Everyone has had time to prepare for this so it will depend on who has grown and who has plateaued.”

The 2021 Hockeyroos squad is scheduled to be announced on 1 December.

FULL HOCKEY AUSTRALIA RELEASE HERE

Hockey Australia 2020 Super Camp

6-16 November 2020

Perth Hockey Stadium, Curtin University WA

Women’s Squad

* Not a current member of the Hockeyroos squa
 

Women's Squad

*not a current member of the Hockeyroos squad.