Hockeyroos Announce Squads for NT and Champions Trophy Campaigns

The Hockeyroos squads for the International Hockey Open in Darwin and for the Champions Trophy in London have been announced today.

Head Coach Adam Commens has selected strong teams of 18 to compete in each event, with members of the core Hockeyroos squad being given the opportunity to cement their places in the team ahead of selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Included in that central core is WAIS scholarship athlete Kat Slattery, who is the sole Western Australian in the Hockeyroos squad following the recent knee injury to Olympian Ashleigh Nelson.

The International Hockey Open will see hometown favourite Brooke Peris return to Darwin to play in the last Hockeyroos games in Australia before the Rio Olympics. Kellie White is a noticeable return to the team, after a positive recovery from injury.

Hockeyroos captain Madonna Blyth will be absent from the squad in Darwin, however will return to the Champions Trophy Squad to compete in London.

Adam Commens said: “The International Hockey Open in Darwin is a fantastic opportunity for us to prepare against high quality Olympic opposition in the lead into the Champions Trophy. With Madonna and Mariah [Williams] unavailable due to injury for this tournament, we are hopeful that they will be available for the Champions Trophy. (Mariah Williams – knee; Madonna Blyth, Calf.)

“With these two series being so close to the Olympic Games is it is likely that our Olympic 16 will come from these 20 players, however if necessary we are confident that any player from our broader squad will be prepared to perform in Rio.”

-HockeyAus