Hockey Australia will have the opportunity to display its next group of young talent over the coming months with both the women's Junior World Cup Qualifier and Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) teams announced.
18 of the countries best young female players have been selected to compete during the Junior World Cup Qualifier against New Zealand in a three match test series from December 11-14, 2008 in Brisbane. A squad of 16 has also been selected to compete at the AYOF from January 6-18, 2009 in Sydney.
Overall 10 players have been selected to compete in both squads. Several players selected for the Junior World Cup Qualifier squad were unable to be selected for the AYOF squad due to age restrictions, as junior players must not turn 22 or over during the year of competition.
Ashleigh Nelson and Carla Hunter will enter the Junior World Cup Qualifier as the most experienced Australian players, having both represented the Hockeyroos (Nelson eight international matches, Hunter four international matches) in the past.
Women's National Junior Coach Katrina Powell says both squads are bursting with talent and expects both teams to perform well at each tournament.
'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,' said Powell.
'The Junior World Cup and the Qualifying events really gives the players something to play for, and the players should view it as an opportunity to find their way into the national squad on a regular basis.'
Powell said the AYOF tournament will also provide the players with a taste of what it takes to be successful at an international tournament.
'It is an Olympic style event so it will give the players a good experience of what could be around the corner for them if they continue to improve and work hard. Casey Eastham competed in the 2007 AYOF tournament and then went on to represent Australia at the recent 2008 Beijing Olympics. So there is a good example for the players about how these types of events can help prepare you for the bigger things to come.'
The Men's Junior World Cup Qualifier and AYOF squads will be announced in the coming days.
Junior World Cup Qualifier squad:
Stephanie Andrews, Fiona Boyce, Alison Bruce, Kary Chau, Chantelle Ciallella, Jade Close, Paige Collins, Kate Denning, Jill Dwyer, Anna Flanagan, Bianca Greenshields, Marnie Hudson, Carla Hunter, Emily Hurtz, Ashleigh Nelson, Airlie Ogilvie, Sally Parks, Danielle Schubach.
Australian Youth Olympic Festival squad: Stephanie Andrews, Jemma Buckley, Paige Collins, Kate Denning, Jill Dwyer, Anna Flanagan, Bianca Greenshields, Marnie Hudson, Emily Hurtz, Heather Langham, Karina Lucas, Harriet Moore, Georgie Parker, Sally Parks, Danielle Schubach, Emily Wilson.
Source: Hockey Australia
