Jocelyn Bartram earns huge payday as 6 Aussies snapped up at India Hockey League Auction

Hockeyroos goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram's 2024 just got a whole lot sweeter, after she became the first international to be picked up at the Hockey India League auction for 15 lakhs (AUD 26,605).

A bidding war ensued between Australian coach Glenn Turner's Bengal Tigers and the Odisha Warriors as Jocelyn became the first international to sell at the intense one-day auction, which saw just four teams, compared to the men's eight-team competition, bid for over 250 domestic and international players. 

The winning bid went the way of the Odisha Warriors, capping after a year to remember for Jocelyn in what has been a storied career that has led her to the top of her game in 2024.

“I wasn’t watching originally but a few of the girls were tuning in and told me I was up so I quickly jumped online to watch,” Jocelyn exclaimed.

“I’d been extremely nervous all morning as I was very excited about the possibility of going and playing in the league so to be picked up by Odisha was an amazing feeling. 

“I’ve always wanted to experience hockey in an overseas league so to be able to compete in the HIL will be amazing.”

Born and raised on a farm in the NSW country town of Albury and now Perth-based, Jocelyn racked up her 100th Test milestone for the Hockeyroos at the Perth International Festival of Hockey in April, before making her Olympic debut in Paris in July.

“2024 definitely has been a wonderful year and this opportunity just adds to it,” she said. 

“This year is probably an equal career high with 2022 and our success at the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.” 

Jocelyn led the way for four more of her Hockeyroos teammates and another NSW Pride teammate at the auction.

The Odisha Warriors continued to snap up Australian talent, picking up 2024 FIH Rising Star Finalist, star defender Claire Colwill and the two-time Olympic Hockeyroos midfielder Kaitlin Nobbs, for 13 lakhs each (AUD 23,058).

The three Hockeyroos will join Dutch superstar Yibbi Jansen who sold as the highest-paid international at 29 lakhs (AUD 51,438), just a few months after she won gold with the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics.

“Heading to the Odisha Warriors with Kaitlin and Claire will be great! Having that familiarity around will be comforting in a new environment and mixing that with Yibbi and Frekke from Holland and the Indian girls seems like it’ll be a good mix for the competition!” Jocelyn said.

WA defender Penny Squibb was picked up next for a tidy 6.6 lakhs (AUD 11,706). She'll see out the year at Soorma Hockey Club after a remarkable year which went from tough to great after she battled back from injury to make her Olympic debut.

Liberty Hockey One League's NSW Pride young-gun, striker Miri Maroney has also extended her hockey season in India with a huge career signing.

The 22-year-old was picked up for 2 lakhs (AUD 3,547) by the Dehli SG Pipers and will join the side after her second Liberty Hockey One League season.

Over 250 players went under the hammer for the five-week Hockey India League competition which runs from December 28 – February 1.

Full list of Australian representatives in the Hockey India League:

Hockeyroos
Jocelyn Bartram – NSW – Odisha Warriors – 15 lakhs - (AUD 26,605)
Claire Colwill - QLD - Odisha Warriors - 13 lakhs - (AUD 23,058)
Kaitlin Nobbs - NSW - Odisha Warriors - 13 lakhs - (AUD 23,058)
Penny Squibb - WA - Soorma Hockey Club - 6.6 lakhs (AUD 11,706)

Liberty Hockey One League NSW Pride
Miri Maroney - NSW - Delhi SG Pipers - 2 Lakhs (AUD 3,547)