Australia’s new crop of Under 21 hockey stars will do battle against the best Oceania hockey nations for one of two lucrative Oceania qualifying spots in the 2013 Junior World Cup.
The 2013 Junior World Cup Qualifiers (JWCQ) will for the first time involve Pacific Island members. Traditionally, the qualifiers have been Australia and New Zealand playing a series to decide the rankings for the two qualifying spots.
Strong Pacific Island hockey nation and medal contender Fiji will be absent from the men’s and women’s competition due to their attendance at the FIH World League 2 rounds in India.
Fiji’s absence creates a real opportunity for Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa and Vanuatu to demonstrate their hockey development. PNG won the silver medal at the recent FIH World League Rd 1 in Suva, Fiji. Vanuatu is Oceania’s youngest hockey member and is extremely athletic in their approach and will look to continue closing the gap on PNG and Samoa.
The women’s Junior World Cup Qualifiers (JWCQ) involves Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Visiting men’s nations are New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.
The JWCQ offer developing hockey nation’s exposure to some of the world’s best young talent which will in-turn assist in building the foundation for a strong Oceania hockey region.
Continental Development Officer of the Oceania Hockey Federation, Gill Gemming believes “this tournament provides an early opportunity for young players to experience international levels of hockey, a chance to represent their country and to learn from playing against and watching the two senior nations, Australia and New Zealand.”
Five 2013 national squad players will represent Australia in the women’s competition, including three London Olympic Games representatives; Anna Flanagan, Georgia Nanscawen and Emily Smith.
Germany will host the women’s Junior World Cup in July 2013, while India will host the Men’s tournament in December.
Fast Facts:
Event: Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers
Where: Gold Coast Hockey Association
When: February 25 – March 3
Teams: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu
Players to watch: Women – Anna Flanagan, Georgia Nanscawen, Jane-Anne Claxton, Emily Smith, Jordyn Holzberger
Men – Cameron Joyce, Jack Elliott, Blake Govers
Australian Under 21’s Team
Men’s team
First Name | Surname | State | Position |
CRAIG | COULSON | NSW | GK |
ANDREW | BUTTURINI | QLD | GK |
CAMERON | JOYCE | SA | DEF |
MATTHEW | LIM | WA | DEF |
SIMON | BORGER | QLD | DEF |
ROBERT | BELL | QLD | DEF |
AIDAN | RINTALA | QLD | DEF |
JEREMY | HAYWARD | NT | DEF |
LUKE | TYNE | QLD | DEF |
JAKE | FARRELL | QLD | MID |
AARON | KERSHAW | NSW | MID |
JAYSHAAN | RANDHAWA | VIC | MID |
LUKE | NOBLETT | NSW | MID |
KANE | POSSELT | QLD | MID |
BLAKE | GOVERS | NSW | STR |
JAMES | KNEE | VIC | STR |
JACK | ELLIOTT | NSW | STR |
JUSTIN | DOUGLAS | QLD | STR |
| Women’s team | |||
AUDREY | SMITH | QLD | GK |
ELIZABETH | DUGUID | NT | GK |
MATHILDA | CARMICHAEL | NSW | DEF |
ASHLEA | FEY | QLD | DEF |
MADISON | FITZPATRICK | QLD | DEF |
ANNA | FLANAGAN | ACT | DEF |
KATE | GILMORE | ACT | DEF |
LILY | BRAZEL | NSW | MID |
JANE-ANNE | CLAXTON | SA | MID |
JORDYN | HOLZBERGER | QLD | MID |
NINA | KHOURY | NSW | MID |
GEORGIA | NANSCAWEN | VIC | MID |
AMELIA | SPENCE | TAS | MID |
MURPHY | ALLENDORF | QLD | STR |
BROOKE | PERIS | NT | STR |
KATHRYN | SLATTERY | WA | STR |
EMILY | SMITH | NSW | STR |
MARIAH | WILLIAMS | NSW | STR |
Source: Hockey Australia Media Release
