WAIS Athletes Selected in Commonwealth Games Squad

The Australian Commonwealth Games Association have today announced the 16-player Australian women’s hockey squad, with the team looking more than capable of defending their 2006 gold medal when they compete in Delhi this October.

The Hockeyroos have a remarkable Commonwealth Games record, having only ever lost one Commonwealth Games match and claiming two of the three gold medals on offer since 1998.

Eleven of the 16 players selected will make their Commonwealth Games debut, while Nicole Arrold, Madonna Blyth, Kate Hollywood, Toni Cronk and Kobie McGurk all competed in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

From a WAIS perspective, five athletes were named on the team with; Fiona Boyce, Shelly Liddelow, Kobie McGurk, Ashley Nelson and Jayde Taylor all named to represent their country.

The Hockeyroos finished fifth at the recent World Cup in Argentina, and strong performances from the likes of Jayde Taylor and Kate Jenner, who only made their international debuts three months ago, have seen them maintain their place in the squad.

The retirements of Hope Munro and Kim Walker, and an ACL injury to Teneal Attard created an opportunity for some younger players such as Fiona Boyce and Emily Hurtz to enter the team.

Australia will arrive in Delhi as one of the favourites, however Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray said that Australia is one of four teams capable of winning gold in 2010, identifying England, New Zealand and India as our biggest threats.

“We are one of four teams who are in with a chance to win gold at the Commonwealth Games,” Murray said.

“India at home will be difficult and New Zealand are also very capable, while England having won bronze at the World Cup only days ago makes them a real threat.”

Murray said that this year appeared to be the most even competition for the Commonwealth Games in its history.

“We will be fighting it out with some very good teams. This is the most even Commonwealth Games competition we will be part of so we will need to play our best hockey.”

ACGA Chief Executive Officer Perry Crosswhite said, “We are very much looking forward to the performance of our 2010 women’s hockey team.”

“They have had excellent international competition experience leading into the Delhi tournament and we have high hopes they will end up on top.”

– ACGA/Hockey Australia