WA Hockey Stars Selected for International Tours

Western Australian hockey athletes have earned selection in both men’s and women’s national development squads for up-coming international tours.

The men’s team will tour Europe in late July, including matches in Germany and the Netherlands over a two week period.

The squad includes Coolbellup’s Matthew Bird and Cottesloe resident Frazer Gerrard.

Hockey Australia High Performance Director Toni Cumpston said: “The tour to Europe aims to give our national development squad the opportunity to compete against two countries who are highly ranked within hockey.

“It will also allow our national coaches to oversee the progression of these young athletes as they look to achieve their ultimate goal of being selected to the Kookaburras on the road to Tokyo 2020.”

The women’s development squad will head to Japan in August for a two week stint, with the team featuring Hillarys resident Kyra Flynn, Clackline product Aleisha Power and Tambellup’s Penny Squibb.

Cumpston said: “The tour of our national development squad to Japan is a great opportunity for athletes who could potentially be in our national senior squad for the Toyko 2020 Olympics rise to the occasion and be inspired by playing hockey in the country of the next Games.

“It’s a fantastic chance for them to gain playing experience at an international level, something that is extremely important as they look to vie for selection to the Hockeyroos squad, on the road to Tokyo.”

-HockeyAus