Hockeyroos Set for Korea Series

The Hockeyroos’ race to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games begins next week in Perth when the Australian women take on Korea in three official test matches.

A squad will be named to play in the matches on 5, 6 and 8 September following the conclusion of the women’s national camp on Thursday 3 September. The national camp features a group of 38 athletes, who will participate in a number of training matches and exercises over the course of the week.

In the mix for the Korean tests, the 38 invited athletes include the 21 available members of the national senior squad, the 15 available members of the national development squad and two members of the national junior squad. Those two, Kaitlin Nobbs and Grace Stewart (both NSW), have been invited on the back of strong performances at the U21 Australian Championships in Hobart last month.

Two-time Olympian Casey Sablowski (née Eastham) will miss the camp while recovering from knee surgery, as will World Cup winner Kellie White, who continues her long-term rehabilitation, also from knee surgery. Hockeyroos captain Madonna Blyth is on restricted duties as she recovers from a broken rib. National Development Squad goalkeeper Elizabeth Duguid is also unavailable; she will be competing in the national weightlifting championships.

The scheduled Korea matches will offer the Hockeyroos an opportunity to fine-tune the women’s national senior program ahead of the Oceania Cup in New Zealand in October, World League Finals in Argentina in December and the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Entry into the Perth Hockey Stadium to watch the Hockeyroos v Korea matches will require a gold coin donation on arrival at the gate.

-HockeyAus