Karri Somerville to make Hockeyroos debut in Perth

WAIS graduate Karri Somerville will make her Hockeyroos debut in Perth this weekend against Argentina in the FIH Pro League.

After joining the Hockeyroos squad at the start of the year the 20-year-old has impressed in training earning her the opportunity to make her debut on home soil in Perth.

“Karri played really well during the Sultana Bran Hockey One season which gave her the opportunity to make the squad, and she has been building nicely in her training over the last six to eight weeks in Perth and deserves her spot this weekend,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin.

“What we say about Karri is that we think she has a great temperament to play at the elite level. She focuses on playing, doesn’t get distracted by too much, she is a very good athlete and we’re looking forward to her playing and enjoying the opportunity to represent her country.”

Somerville’s opportunity comes after the Hockeyroos have been bunkering down and spent a solid month training in the lead up to the matches with Argentina.

The two matches against Argentina will be a replay of last year’s FIH Pro League semifinal where the Hockeyroos won in a shootout. Closely contested matches are expected with The Hockeyroos currently ranked second and Argentina third.

Fellow WAIS graduate Georgia Wilson will line up on Saturday.

The Kookaburra’s also play Argentina on Friday and Saturday with Jake Harvie, Tyler Lovell and Aran Zalewski in action.

Photo: Hockey Australia