Next Generation Hockey Stars Prepare to Shine

The next generation of talented WAIS hockey stars will be hoping to impress this weekend as they prepare for matches against New Zealand in the junior world cup qualifiers in Brisbane.

Justin Knapp will represent the men’s junior side whilst Fiona Boyce, Jemma Buckley, Steph Andrews, Kate Denning, Ashleigh Nelson and Chantelle Ciallella will all line up for the “Jillaroos”.

The JWCQ will take place at the State Hockey Centre in Colmslie from December 11-14, 2008.

While Australia and New Zealand are already confirmed to compete at both the men’s and women’s 2009 Junior World Cups, the qualifier still looms as an important stepping stone.

Pool allocations for the Junior World Cups will be based on results from this tournament, making victory a priority for both nations.

While not all players competing in the qualifier will participate in the 2009 Junior World Cup tournaments due to age restrictions, their performances will still be important given each players desire to impress the national coaches leading into the next Olympic cycle.

Australia’s first step towards the London 2012 Olympics will come when the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras host the Women’s (Sydney July 11-19) and Men’s (Melbourne November 28 – December 6) 2009 Champions Trophy tournaments, with many players hoping to make the transition from the junior squad to national squad during these international tournaments.

However, Men’s National Junior Coach and former Kookaburra Jason Duff says the focus of the men’s team at the qualifier will remain focused on developing a winning structure for the 2009 Junior World Cup.

“While it may be in the back of the players minds to try and impress the newly appointed national coach in Ric Charlesworth, from a coaching point of view the focus will be on squad and team development for the Junior World Cup.” Said Duff.

Women’s National Junior Coach and former Hockeyroo Katrina Powell says with the London Olympics still so far away, the coming years presents an exciting opportunity to showcase Australia’s junior talent pool.

“With the Beijing Olympics completed and the 2012 London Olympics on the horizon, the upcoming period presents itself as an exciting opportunity to focus on our junior athletes. The Junior World Cup and the qualifying events really gives the players something to play for.” said Powell.

The 9th Men’s Junior World Cup will take place from 7-21 June 2009 in Malaysia and Singapore. The 6th Women’s Junior World Cup will take place from 3-16 August 2009 in the USA.