Aleisha Power and Penny Squibb elevated to 2021 Hockeyroos squad

Goalkeeper Aleisha Power and defender Penny Squibb have been elevated to the 2021 Hockeyroos squad, joining fellow West Australian’s Karri Somerville and Georgia Wilson.

The WAIS scholarship holders Power and Squibb, were selected following excellent performances at the high pressure national selection camp, here in Perth last month.

Having previously represented the Hockeyroos on three occasions, Power joins the squad as they head in to a reschedule Olympic year, eyeing a debut in Tokyo.

“Aleisha is an extremely talented goalkeeper who has matured a lot in the past 18 months through her willingness to learn and improve,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin.

Power takes the place in the squad of veteran goalkeeper Rachael Lynch who has amassed 223 appearances over 14 years on the international stage.

The Hockeyroos defence has received a boost with Squibb re-joining the Hockeyroos squad after spending 2020 back in the WAIS program.

“Penny has also shown marked improvement this year and will push our other defenders to push the bar even higher” Gaudoin explained.

The addition of Power and Squibb increases the WA representation to four with graduates Georgia Wilson and Karri Somerville reselected.

Due to the impact of COVID and the inability of some athletes to attend the national selection camp, the selection panel has named 25 athletes with the option of filling the full quota of 27 in the first quarter of 2021.

“Selection is always difficult and even more so this year. I empathise with the athletes who have missed out but the selection panel has chosen a squad that it believes gives the Hockeyroos the best chance of success not just in 2021 but over the next Olympic cycle,” Gaudion said.

“The selection criteria takes into account a range of aspects so we stand by and respect the decisions the selectors have made.”