Selection camps to determine makeup of 2022 Hockeyroos squad

A host of selection camps around the country are in the process of being held to select this year’s Hockeyroos squad.

The ongoing COVID situation in every state and territory, coupled with the current border conditions in Western Australia where the Hockey Australia High Performance Unit is based, has added layers of complexity to selection of athletes for the 2022 National Women’s High Performance Program.

The cancellation of last year’s Sultana Bran Hockey One League, which would have been held in October/November, also meant there have been minimal opportunities for the National Women’s Squad Selection Panel to assess players vying to be considered.

After being announced as permanent Hockeyroos Head Coach in November last year, Katrina Powell is yet to relocate to Perth, instead remaining in Sydney. She was due to head west when Western Australia was initially going to open up on 5 February, but the dual Olympic gold medallist will now use the coming weeks to attend selection camps in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Meanwhile, a selection camp in Perth is currently taking place under the watchful eyes of selector Ric Charlesworth and Hockeyroos Assistant Coaches Katie Allen and Jeremy Davy. Charlesworth will also be in attendance at the three east coast camps.

The Hockeyroos squad is expected to be announced later this month.

“There have been a number of challenges and hurdles in attempting to gather athletes together in one location,” said Powell.

“By holding a selection camp in Perth and then inviting the best hockey talent in the rest of the country to camps on the eastern seaboard importantly allows the athletes an opportunity to perform and show their ability on the pitch.”

“Any squad selection is tough and we are glad that we have been able to arrange these camps and make decisions on who will be in the national squad.

“In saying that, I want to strongly emphasise that any athletes who do not get selected can still represent the Hockeyroos from outside the program. This is important for athletes who may be on the fringe of breaking into the Hockeyroos team.”

“We want to expand our talent pool of elite female hockey players and will be making every effort to staying engaged with a larger group than solely the ones who are announced.”

With veterans Edwina Bone, Emily Chalker, Rachael Lynch and Ashlee Wells all recently retiring, it hints towards a regeneration of sorts as Powell plots a team to be at its peak come the Paris Olympics in 2024.

But in the more immediate term, the Hockeyroos have the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup from 1-17 July followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham from 28 July - 8 August to look forward to later this year.