WAIS Athletes Feature in Hockeyroos 2010 National Squad
The Hockeyroos have announced their 2010 National Senior and National Development squads with WAIS scholarship holder featuring prominently in both.
Fiona Boyce, Shelly Liddelow, Kobie McGurk, Hope Munro, Ashleigh Nelson and Kim Walker have all been named in the Hockeyroos senior squad for 2010, whilst Chantelle Ciallella, Kate Denning and Jayde Taylor are listed in the development squad.
Having extended their National Senior Squad from 26 to 27 players, the Hockeyroos have recalled two previous squad members, while also giving two young players their first opportunity.
Strikers Amy Korner (Queensland) and Shelly Liddelow (Western Australia) have been recalled to the Hockeyroos after last being part of the 2007 and 2008 squads respectively.
Korner recently returned to the Hockeyroos during Australia’s tour of Spain and Argentina in which the Hockeyroos defeated both nations in the separate series.
Liddelow also returned to the Hockeyroos line up during the tours of Spain and Argentina, her first time since representing Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she was a late replacement for the injured Fiona Johnson.
“Both Amy and Shelly have had opportunities in the past. Shelly has recently been playing in Europe while Amy has continued to maintain her training in Queensland,” said Murray.
In contrast to the experience of Korner and Liddelow, young South Australian pair Elise Stacy and Holly Evans and have been included in the Hockeyroos squad for the first time.
Having represented the Southern Suns in the Australian Hockey League since 2005 and 2006 respectively, coach Frank Murray said both players deserved their place in the squad.
“They both performed well during their visits to the AIS program in Perth and deserve their opportunity at this level,” said Murray.
WA defender Fiona Boyce has also officially been added to the 2010 Hockeyroos squad. Boyce made her national debut at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy tournament which was held in Sydney earlier this year. She replaced veteran Kim Walker who was unable to take her place in the squad due to injury.
South Australian goalkeeper DeAnne Gilbert has been omitted from the 2009 squad, while Olympian Emily Halliday retired in June this year.
Airlie Ogilvie and Danielle Schubach have also not been retained from the 2009 squad, however the pair has been named in the Development Squad.
The squads will be in place until May 31, 2010 after the conclusion of the 2010 AHL tournament and prior to the 2010 Women’s World Cup which will be held in Argentina from 30 August – 12 September.
– Hockey Australia
