Hockey Australia Announces 2026 National Women's High Performance Squad Ahead of an Exciting 2026 Calendar
Hockey Australia is thrilled to unveil the 2026 National Women’s High Performance Squad as they prepare to take on an action-packed international season.
A total of 41 athletes have been selected into the National High Performance Squad, which will operate across two aligned programs in 2026 — the Hockeyroos Perth Daily Training Environment (DTE) Program and the Senior Performance Program. These aligned programs provide system wide depth, flexibility and competition for selection as Australia’s elite women continue to train and compete in world-class environments.
The Hockeyroos Perth DTE Program will see 24 athletes train full-time in Perth within Hockey Australia’s centralised high-performance environment, while the Senior Performance Program — formerly the National Development Squad — will support athletes training at their home or alternate locations, remaining available for Hockeyroos selection throughout 2026.
The 2026 squad features a mix of established internationals, returning athletes and emerging talent pushing toward senior debut. Several athletes remain in contention for their first Hockeyroos cap, including Casey Dolkens, Sarah Byrnes, Neasa Flynn and Makayla Jones, who joins the program fresh off her Junior World Cup campaign with the Jillaroos. Olivia Downes, who made her international debut in 2023, has been selected in the Hockeyroos squad for the first time, while two-time Olympian Stephanie Kershaw returns to the Hockeyroos program after taking a sabbatical from the international scene during 2025.
The Hockeyroos face a significant international calendar in 2026, beginning with the FIH Pro League on home soil in Hobart in February. The squad will then turn its attention to World Cup Qualifiers in Santiago, Chile, before heading to Europe for a further block of FIH Pro League matches as preparations continue ahead of the World Cup in August.
Halkett said the schedule would provide valuable exposure and development opportunities across a demanding year.
“Having Pro League in Hobart is a great opportunity for our athletes to perform at home, and the blocks of competition throughout the year will challenge the group and help us build combinations against tough opposition,” Halkett said.
“The World Cup Qualifiers in Chile and the two Pro League blocks in February and June will be important steps as we continue to build momentum toward the World Cup in August. However, the first priority is to qualify for the World Cup in March."
In addition to the High Performance Squad selections, 20 athletes have been named to represent Australia A in a two-match series against Japan in Hobart, providing further international exposure and a clear pathway into senior Hockeyroos selection.
Halkett said alignment between the Hockeyroos, Australia A and the Jillaroos programs would be a key focus throughout the year.
“Having strong alignment across our programs gives us flexibility and depth, and it allows athletes to clearly understand what’s required to progress,” he said.
“This squad is about setting standards, driving internal competition and continuing to build toward success on the world stage.”
2026 Senior Performance Program
Maddison Brooks – TAS
Hannah Callum-Sanders – QLD
Dayle Dolkens – QLD
Rebecca Greiner – VIC
Bridget Laurence – VIC
Lexie Pickering – WA
Pippa Morgan – WA
Jesse Reid – WA
Courtney Schonell – WA
Jolie Sertorio – WA
Alyssa Smith – ACT
Maddison Smith – NSW
Georgie Smithers – ACT
Jamie-Lee Surha – QLD
Caitlyn Templeman – WA
Zali Ward – VIC
Georgina West - ACT
