Excitement aplenty on eve of Hockeyroos’ series against China

Tatum Stewart (pictured above) and Morgan Gallagher will make their Hockeyroos debuts in tomorrow night’s opening match of the series against China in Bunbury, Western Australia.

Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell confirmed the Queensland duo will play in the series opener, taking the number of players to debut for Australia’s women’s hockey team this year to seven.

Stewart has had to bide her time after recovering from a foot injury she suffered in the days leading up to the Hockeyroos training camp in Sydney prior to the Pro League series against China and Germany.

Despite the frustration, the 21 year old said there have been benefits in the waiting and that she is delighted to have the opportunity to play her first game in a regional city not dissimilar to her hometown of Toowoomba.

“I was itching to play and devastated that I couldn’t be a part of it earlier because of my injury, but having the time to watch the team in the Pro League and come into it a bit later has allowed me to sit with the fact that I have made the Hockeyroos squad, how important it is to me and how special it is,” said Stewart.

“I’m excited and privileged to be given this opportunity. I had some time with the Hockeyroos group last year being part of the National Development Squad…that was a great little taster but to now do it for real on a big stage will be great.”

“In a way Bunbury reflects my hometown in being a bit more rural and I’m really excited to make my debut in that sort of environment.”

Born on the 22nd of February, Stewart has an affiliation with the number two and jumped at the chance to wear number 22.

“I try not to get too far ahead of myself but playing in this series will be a big challenge. Something I’m preparing myself for is the speed of play…you can never really anticipate what it’s going to be like when you step up a level,” said Stewart.

“You have less time to execute your skills, less time to react and set up the play, so that will be the main thing I’m excited for and a challenge I can’t wait to get into.”

Gallagher has also had to be patient and persistent in waiting for her chance, particularly with the limited international matches over the past three years because of COVID.

“Knowing I will make my Hockeyroos debut hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Gallagher.

“It will probably sink in when I get to Bunbury and take the field because I have attended a lot of training camps and Visiting Athlete Agreements in Perth, so I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“My family is flying over to watch, some of the girls I’ve played with for Queensland since I was young will be playing as well, so it will be really special running out in the green and gold with them. It’s a great group of girls and I can’t wait to get that international experience.”

With ten players in the extended squad for the 3-match series having less than 20 international appearances, Powell said these games are invaluable.

“It’s exciting for Tatum and Morgan but also for the Hockeyroos. I am super excited to see them play at this level,” said Powell.

“The opportunity is ahead of them and it’s not only about their debut and the excitement around that, they have a couple of games to prove they are up to this level and in contention for future matches.”

“Because we have a big squad playing in this series against China, there will be a different team on the pitch every night, so in terms of working with a lot of players and building our depth, we’re really pleased with how the interaction of those players has been considering our results in the Pro League.”

The Hockeyroos currently sit second on the FIH Pro League standings with three outright wins and two bonus point shootout victories from their eight matches so far.

Those two shootout triumphs both came against China last month in Sydney and Powell is expecting another tight tussle in this test series against the team coached by her former Hockeyroos teammate Alyson Annan.

“These matches against China give us a really good opportunity to not only expose players but develop our way of play and take it as far as we can,” said Powell.

“What we learnt from playing them in Sydney is that they’re a very strong, physical and talented team that is developing well under Alyson.”

Tomorrow’s opening match of the series at the Bunbury Hockey Stadium starts at 6pm local time (9pm AEDT). The following two encounters are on 25-26 March at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

Tickets to each match of the series are on sale now, with kids under 12 receiving free entry.

The 3-match series, presented by JDH, will be broadcast LIVE throughout Asia on beIN Sports and in Australia on LIVEHockey.

Hockeyroos v China Test Series, presented by JDH
Match 1 - Thursday 23 March 2023
Bunbury Hockey Stadium, Start time 6pm local (9pm AEDT)
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Match 2 - Saturday 25 March
Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University, Start time 4pm (7pm AEDT)
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Match 3 - Sunday 26 March
Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University, Start time 4pm (7pm AEDT)
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