Hockeyroos and Kookaburras primed for Hobart Pro League series

‘Hockey at its best’ returns to Hobart for the first time since 2019 as the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras host Argentina in the opening double header of the FIH Pro League ‘mini tournament’ tonight at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre.

The women’s event sees the Hockeyroos up against defending Pro League Champions and world number two ranked Argentina and the USA, with the men’s series featuring the Kookaburras, Argentina and Spain.

Hockeyroos
Excitingly, local 18 year old Tasmanian Maddison Brooks will make her Hockeyroos debut in the series, along with striker Abby Wilson from Lithgow in New South Wales.

Hockeyroos Assistant Coach Jeremy Davy, who will take on the head coach duties for this series, is enthused by the team’s recent performances against China and Germany in Sydney.

With nine changes to the team that will play in Hobart, Davy looks forward to the Hockeyroos taking further steps in their progression over the coming four games.

“Similarly to Sydney, we’re up against really good international opposition here which we’ve been deprived of over the past couple of years,” said Davy.

“Australian sporting teams always want to compete as best they can right from the get-go, so there’s that balance for us that we want to be as good as we can as early as we can, but also mindful that we’ve only had four games and now we have another four to develop the way we play.”

“Putting points and wins on the board would be nice to come away with at the end of this week, but it’s the process we’re mostly interested in…expanding our playing group and style of play.”

Grace Stewart will captain the Hockeyroos in this series. The second most capped player in the Hockeyroos team for this mini tournament, the 25 year old is buoyant about the talent and potential in the group.

“The Sydney tournament were out first games since August last year so there were a lot of learnings. Coming into this Hobart series, we know what we’re trying to do and are looking for more consistency to the way we’re playing,” said Stewart.

“There are a few different faces coming into the team but we’ve all been training together so we expect to hit the ground running.”

“It’s a really good opportunity for our younger girls who have the skills and game knowledge to step up into those more senior roles and really take it on.”

Stewart said she was privileged to be called to captain the team for the next four matches.

“It’s super special to be able to lead the girls out. Any time you get to play for Australia is special, let alone captaining the team,” said Stewart.

“I won’t change too much but I hope I can step into the role and be a positive, calming influence.”

Kookaburras
Yet to play a match in the current FIH Pro League season, the Kookaburras face two opponents they met in the World Cup back in January.

The Kookaburras drew 3-3 with Argentina in the pool stage of the tournament before edging Spain out 4-3 in the quarter finals.

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch said the FIH Pro League would provide a chance to ‘reset’ after missing the podium at the World Cup.

“We’re excited to be here (in Hobart) and we’re always pleased to be able to play in Australia,” said Batch.

“We’re trying to reset the best we can. We’re still dealing with some disappointment from the World Cup and that will continue for some time as we haven’t had a chance to do a full debrief.

“Given we’re in the Pro League, that’s our focus now, and it gives a number of players who just missed World Cup selection an opportunity to show what they’re capable of.

“I’ve been really pleased with the attitude of the guys. It took us a while to get back into the groove but we had a session yesterday that was full of energy and the guys are determined to do well.”

Ahead of this series, Batch announced a changing to the captaincy with Jeremy Hayward to lead the team in Hobart.

Hayward will take the role from Aran Zalewski and Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden, with both long serving captains in full support of the direction the team is heading.

“I think it’s a really good move…I definitely endorse it,” said Ockenden on the leadership changes and Hayward’s appointment.

“We need players to step up, show their leadership capabilities and we need to nurture and support that.

“Jeremy has had an awesome couple of years and has improved a lot in his leadership, so I’m really excited to be out there with him leading the team.”

For Hayward, who hails from Darwin but plays for the Tassie Tigers in the Hockey One League, it is a responsibility he is proud to take on.

“It’s a huge honour and a huge privilege. Being able to lead the boys out in Australia…it’s going to be exciting,” said Hayward.

“We have two quality opponents here (Argentina and Spain). The four matches are going be a real challenge and we’re excited to get our Pro League campaign up and running.”

FIH Pro League form guide
Argentina (Women)
The defending champions currently sit top of the standings with four wins, two shootout losses and two losses. Julieta Jankunas is their leading goal scorer with four goals to date.

USA (Women)
The USA arrive in Hobart after a ‘mini tournament’ in Wellington where they recorded a win, a shootout win and two losses.

Argentina (Men)
The Argentinian Men currently sit 5th on the ladder with a win, a shootout win, three shootout losses and three losses. They have played the most matches of all the teams to date in the 2022-23 season.

Spain (Men)
Spain’s Men’s Team currently sit 4th in the standings, registering two wins and two shootout losses in their mini tournament against New Zealand and India.

The FIH Pro League is broadcast in Australia on FOX Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.

Hockeyroos Team for FIH Pro League Hobart
1.Claire Colwill, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Young, 6.Penny Squibb, 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 8.Georgia Wilson, 9.Shanea Tonkin, 11.Meg Pearce, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Hattie Shand, 21.Renee Taylor, 24.Mariah Williams, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart, 35.Maddison Brooks, 41.Zoe Newman (gk), 44.Abby Wilson

Kookaburras Squad for FIH Pro League Hobart
1.Lachlan Sharp, 2.Tom Craig, 4.Jake Harvie, 6.Matthew Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 8.Johan Durst (gk), 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Jayden Atkinson, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 18.Ben Rennie (gk), 19.Craig Marais, 20.Ky Willott, 21.Jack Welch, 29.Tim Brand, 32.Jeremy Hayward

FIH Pro League 2022-23 Season - Hobart Match Schedule
Tuesday 28 February - Hockeyroos v Argentina (Women) 5:00pm AEDT
Tuesday 28 February - Kookaburras v Argentina (Men) 7:00pm AEDT
Wednesday 1 March - Hockeyroos v USA (Women) 5:00pm AEDT
Wednesday 1 March - Kookaburras v Spain (Men) 7:00pm AEDT
Thursday 2 March - Argentina v USA (Women) 5:00pm AEDT
Thursday 2 March - Argentina v Spain (Men) 7:00pm AEDT
Friday 3 March - Kookaburras v Argentina (Men) 5:00pm AEDT
Friday 3 March - Hockeyroos v Argentina (Women) 7:00pm AEDT
Saturday 4 March - Kookaburras v Spain (Men) 5:00pm AEDT
Saturday 4 March - Hockeyroos v USA (Women) 7:00pm AEDT
Sunday 5 March - Argentina v Spain (Men) 5:00pm AEDT
Sunday 5 March - Argentina v USA (Women) 7:00pm AEDT

Tickets available through Ticketek.