Zalewski, Mitton, Squibb and Somerville selected to Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo

Four WAIS graduates selected to Australian Olympic Team as part of the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras squads.

Kookaburras co-captain Aran Zalewski will line up a second Games alongside FIH Pro League and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Trent Mitton who makes his debut.

Penny Squibb and Karri Somerville will make their Olympic debuts for the Hockeyroos 

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman congratulated the athletes on today’s selection.

“Today is a fantastic recognition of the skill and resilience of these teams and players, and I congratulate them on making the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo,” Mr Chesterman said.

“The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras hold a special place in Australia’s Olympic tradition and these players will continue to build on that rich legacy.”

Kookaburras head coach Colin Batch welcomed today’s announcement.

“Being at our best when we need to be is what it’s all about,” said Batch. “Our first aim is to qualify for the quarter finals and we cannot underestimate that. We come up against a determined host country first up who will be nicely acclimatised and very eager to perform well in front of their home crowd, so each match generates a different set of circumstances. We’re not looking too far past that first match against Japan.

“We have a really committed squad and of course this team announcement brings some elation but also some disappointment in the group. Some players have played well recently and not been selected. We have had limited international matches but the importance and value we place on our daily training environment is also a major part of our assessment.”

Hockeyroos head coach Katrina Powell, a Olympic champion in 1996 and 2000, was excited at the potential of this Hockeyroos team.

“There is a lot of talent in this group – a lot of potential, drive, enthusiasm and passion, so if we can harness all of that in what will be really tough conditions in Tokyo, you never know what can happen,” Powell said.

“Given the matches we’ve just played against New Zealand and the different combinations on the field in each game, coupled with the team doing well is an indicator of how difficult it was to pick this team. To have those names on the sheet makes Tokyo very real and I’m really excited about the opportunity that’s ahead of us.”