Squad Announcement: Hockeyroos unleash new electric talent for FIH Pro League in Argentina
Published Fri 14 Feb 2025
The Hockeyroos are motivated to continue their winning start for 2025, naming a dynamic 18-strong squad to take on world number two Argentina and world number three Belgium at the next stage of the FIH Pro League in Argentina.
Check out the full FIH Pro League Schedule
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Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell’s retained 14 players from the squad who won three from four matches against Spain and China in Sydney, opting to rest athletes who competed in the India Hockey League and continue to develop exciting new talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier in Darwin in September.
“I was really impressed with our performances in Sydney. We had only just convened as a group for the first time before the tournament, and there was a lot to like. I’m looking forward to building on that at this next stage,” Katrina said.
“It was great to have the athletes who played in India with us in Sydney to start the year, but they’ve played a lot of hockey, with the Hockey One League and India, and now’s the right time for those athletes to rest.
“We have the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers this year, so every match is important. Each time you pull on the green and gold for Australia, it’s important, and we’ve got a really great depth of talent in Australia, and we want to see the cream rise to the top.
“We only have 24 places in our squad, and there will be ongoing competition for places, and by giving our athletes outside of our group an opportunity, then we also keep that pressure on the group that’s already selected.”
The opportunity has handed National Development athletes Pippa Morgan and Queenslander’s Karissa Van der Wath and Ruby Harris a dream call up to impress selectors in Argentina. Pippa returns to the Hockeyroos two years after playing three Tests against India in 2023. Since then, she’s played overseas and had a fantastic showing in the Liberty Hockey One League.
After an impressive showing against New Zealand at the Junior World Cup Qualifier, Juniors’ athlete Karissa Van der Wath will make her debut in green and gold. She will join Ruby Harris, who has earned a promotion from the National Development Squad after a standout 2024.
“Ruby’s incredibly fast, she’s exciting, and she scored some great goals in Hockey One. She played a big part in the Tassie Tigers revival, and I’m really keen to see that explosiveness and the excitement that Ruby plays with in the Hockeyroos,” Katrina added.
“I got the call from Katrina last week while I was at work, and it really felt like all the hard work has paid off, and it was worth it!” Ruby admitted.
“I’m just stoked. It’s even better that we’re playing two of the best teams in the world. I just want to be thrown in the deep end and experience my debut to its fullest, and if that’s against some of the best in the world, then I’m really keen for the challenge.
“I know when I see my last name on the jersey, it’ll feel surreal… My mum and dad are coming over to Argentina, and I know if they get emotional, I probably will too!
“It’s been a family dream for us, but the biggest thing is to soak it all in and remember it and remember I’ve been picked for a reason.
“I’d also like to thank [Hockeyroos Olympic gold medallist] Angie Lambert, who has been my number one supporter since I started playing hockey. She called me when she found out and was quite emotional and said she had debuted in Argentina as well! So that was a really special moment for the both of us.”
The Hockeyroos begin their campaign in Argentina against the world number two hosts on 22 February before taking on world number three, Belgium, on 23 February. The Hockeyroos will face both teams twice. They then continue their FIH Pro League season in Europe and the UK.
| NAME | HOMETOWN/STATE | CAPS (GOALS) | JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB |
| Maddison BROOKS | Hobart, TAS | 40 (7) | OHA HC |
| Greta HAYES | Sydney, NSW | 55 (3) | St George Randwick, UNSW |
| Alana KAVANAGH | West Pennant Hills, NSW | 6 (0) | Northern Districts |
| Ruby HARRIS* | Brisbane, QLD | - | Easts Hockey Club |
| Morgan MATHISON | Gladstone, QLD | 4 | Meteors Hockey Club |
| Pippa MORGAN* | Perth, WA | 3 (1) | UWA Hockey Club |
| Zoe NEWMAN (GK) | Gymea, NSW | 10 | Tartans HC |
| Aleisha POWER (GK) | Northam, WA | 37 | Northam Hockey Association |
| Courtney SCHONELL | Narellan Vale, NSW | 28 (7) | Harrington Park HC |
| Hattie SHAND | Naracoote, SA | 55 (0) | Adelaide HC |
| Lucy SHARMAN | Kalangadoo, SA | 19 (0) | Adelaide HC |
| Jade SMITH | Moreton Bay, QLD | 3 (2) | Easts Hockey Club |
| Maddi SMITH | Albion Park, NSW | 17 (0) | Albion Park Junior HC |
| Karri SOMERVILLE | Kensington, WA | 62 (0) | Victoria Park HC |
| Karissa VAN DER WATH** | Brisbane, QLD | - | Redcliffe & Commercial HC |
| Mariah WILLIAMS | Parkes, NSW | 141(22) | Newcastle Souths, Parkes Rovers |
| Abby WILSON | Lithgow, NSW | 22 (1) | Ryde Hunters Hill HC |
| Grace YOUNG | Grafton, NSW | 44 (1) | Royals HC |
*Alice Arnott, Amy Lawton, Tatum Stewart & Lexie Pickering were unavailable for selection due to injury.
*Players with an * are in the Hockeyroos National Development Squad
Players with an ** are in the Hockeyroos Juniors Squad
Kookaburras & Hockeyroos FIH Pro League Schedule
All times are AEDT
Friday, 21 February 9.00am - Kookaburras v Argentina
11.30am - Hockeyroos v Argentina
Saturday, 22 February 9.00am - Kookaburras v Belgium
11.30am - Hockeyroos v Belgium
Monday, 24 February 9.00am - Kookaburras v Argentina
11.30am - Hockeyroos v Argentina
Tuesday, 25 February 9.00am - Kookaburras v Belgium
11.30am - Hockeyroos v Belgium
