Six WA hockey players selected for 2020 National Development Squads

Six West Australian hockey players have been selected for 2020 National Development Squads.

WA athletes account for more than a quarter of the Women’s National Development Squad with five of 18 hailing from the West including the returning goalkeeper Aleisha Power and Candyce Peacock.

The experienced Penny Squibb will continue her development having played with the Hockeyroos for the first time this year. The WA representation is rounded out by Shanea Tonkin and Roos Broek earn their first selection to the development squad.

All five will look to impress selectors in 2020 as they look to join the Hockeyroos in 2021 with an eye on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“These athletes have all proven they have talent and something special to bring to the national setup,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin.

“This squad is about post Tokyo 2020 and being ready for opportunities to perform in Visitor Athlete Agreements (VAA) and next year’s Sultana Bran

Hockey One season before the next senior squad is selected.”

“Importantly, for the NDS we are not only looking for athletes who are capable of performing and competing at the highest level, but who also have

the right attitude and are fully committed to the cause of keeping the Hockeyroos at the peak of women’s hockey.”

Returning to the men’s squad is 22-year-old Liam Flynn, who joined earlier this year.

“There is really good depth in Australian men’s hockey at the moment and the athletes that have been selected have proven they have the quality to

be in the mix for the Kookaburras,” said Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch.