New Hockeyroos Era Begins as Slattery and Wilson Earn Call-ups

Published On: 19 September 2017

Western Australian hockey talents Kathryn Slattery and Georgia Wilson have been named in the Hockeyroos’ 18-strong squad to contest next month’s Oceania Cup in Sydney.

Australia will square-off against New Zealand and Papua New Guinea at the Sydney Olympic Park precinct seeking to reverse a recent form-slump against the Kiwis that saw the team exit the Rio Olympic Games at the hands of their regional rivals at the quarter-final stage.

The Hockeyroos will embark on that challenge under the stewardship of a new leader, after Emily Smith was announced as the team’s new permanent captain.

The appointment will see the 25 year-old step into the role last held by Hockeyroos legend Madonna Blyth, who retired from International hockey last year.

Jane Claxton – who is also in the Australian squad – had led the team in an acting capacity when they were last in action at June’s World League Semi-Final in Belgium and she will form part of the Hockeyroos’ new leadership group that also includes 24 year-old Olympian Kathryn Slattery.

Slattery heads into the tournament in strong form, after the country WA product scored both goals in Wesley South Perth’s Western Australian Women’s Premiership title win over Victoria Park Xavier last weekend.

Slattery was awarded the Shirley Leece Medal for the Best and Fairest Player and said the victory was testament to how well her side had played all year.

“I’m very proud of the girls in that sense,” she said. “There have been some tough battles and some quality teams. The games against Vic Park have been hard and I was a bit nervous coming into this one.

Georgia Wilson will continue her fledgling International career with the women’s national side, after she made her debut for the Hockeyroos in their most recent campaign in Belgium.

You can learn more about the impressive youngster who was recently featured in the Athlete in Focus series.

The Oceania Cup will be held in Sydney between October 11-15 with the Hockeyroos squad set to depart Perth after the completion of the up-coming Australian Hockey League.