AIS-WAIS Hockey Athletes Set for Santiago
The Hockeyroos have chosen experience over youth in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, with some experienced players selected in the Hockeyroos World Cup Qualifier squad.
After competing for the Hockeyroos during their recent four test series against Argentina, Young strikers Georgia Nanscawen (17 years of age) and Emily Hurtz (20 years of age) have not been selected in the squad.
Instead Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray has chosen the more experienced pair of Amy Korner and Claire Messent to compliment AIS-WAIS scholarship holder Shelly Liddelow as strikers as the team prepares to qualify for the 2010 World Cup which will be held in Argentina from August 28 – September 11.
Alison Bruce has also been omitted from the squad that recently faced Argentina, making way for AIS-WAIS athlete Kobie McGurk who will return to the Hockeyroos for the first time since injuring her ACL ten months ago. Although McGurk was also selected within the Hockeyroos squad during the 4 test series against Argentina, she did not play.
With the World Cup Qualifier to be held in Santiago, Chile from April 24 – May 2, the Hockeyroos must win the tournament in order to qualify for the World Cup.
Murray said it was with this in mind that he chose to go with a more experienced line up.
“We have chosen a squad with experience and strength. Bruce has made way due to the return of Kobie McGurk and Amy Korner and Claire Messent are our most experienced available strikers along with Shelly Liddelow who played during the recent Argentina series,” said Murray.
Veteran striker Megan Rivers has also been unavailable since November 2009 after suffering a stress fracture in her foot.
Murray said that it was difficult not to pick some of the younger players who have shown considerable improvement, but the high stakes of winning the tournament were too great.
“Obviously the players who have not been selected are still well and truly in the mix moving forward. They have shown continual improvement, particularly Georgia Nanscawen who I thought played well against Argentina in the recent series.
It is difficult but we need experience near our goals. This is an important tournament with some good teams playing against us, so our young players need to be patient and resilient,” said Murray.
A young player who has made selection is 18 year old Anna Flanagan. Flanagan was not selected in the Hockeyroos series against Argentina, but made her international debut in February during a 3 test series against Korea in Perth.
West Australian defender Fiona Boyce (AIS-WAIS) has been selected as the Hockeyroos 19th player. Boyce will travel with the team in the lead up to the competition. Following final selection, a player will return to Australia at the start of the tournament.
Boyce’s inclusion brings to six, the number of AIS-WAIS athletes in the squad with Liddelow and McGurk also joining Hope Munro, Kim Walker and Ashley Nelson in the Hockeyroos make-up.
– Hockey Australia
