Exposing players to top level hockey is the aim of women's national coach, Frank Murray, after he announced his 2007 BDO Hockey Champions Trophy team. With only two players with over 100 games experience, and two making their international debuts, Murray will be taking a very young squad to Quilmes, Argentina, in January.
ÔÇÿIt's a young side because we've had to rest a few players who are recovering from surgery or injury after a very difficult and long year,' said Murray. ÔÇÿThis is the only time, really, that we could let them recuperate and fix their bodies up before we start our run to Beijing.'
With so much experience out of the side, through injury or retirement, Murray will be looking for some of the younger players to step up and continue the Hockeyroos' rise up the World Rankings (currently second behind Netherlands). ÔÇÿWithout the experience of players like Halliday, Skirving and Hudson the key will be which players take the next step,' he said.
ÔÇÿHowever, we're not going there to make up the numbers. I expect to go there and try and win it, it just means we have to work even harder.'
Missing from the silver medal winning Samsung World Cup side will be Nikki Hudson, Angie Skirving, Emily Halliday, Nicole Arrold, Rachel Imison and Suzie Faulkner, as well as Wendy Beattie and Karen Smith who've both retired.
They've been replaced in the team by Peta Gallagher, Amy Korner, Kate Hollyood, Fiona Johnson, Emma Meyer and Rachel Lynch while Shelley Liddelow and Renee Trost will make their international debuts for the Hockeyroos.
ÔÇÿJohnson, Meyer and Hollywood all did very well on the recent AIS tour, so they get their chance. It gives Gallager and Korner another opportunity after coming back from injury. They all get a chance to stake their claim but it's not going to be easy.'
ÔÇÿTrost is another one that did very well on the AIS tour. She's been in the wings for a while and now gets her chance at this level. She's somebody who's learning all the time and is someone who imposes herself on the game, she doesn't let it happen around her.'
ÔÇÿLiddelow's a versatile forward, she can play as a striker or a midfielder and is a player that's come through the juniors, she played in last year's Junior World Cup. Because of her versatility she gets the nod over a few others.'
The team will meet in Canberra for a training camp from 4-8 January before flying to Buenos Aires, from Sydney, on 9 January.
Other squads announced include the 2007 National Squad and Development Squad, both of which will be reviewed after the AHL in April.
2007 Champions Trophy Team
Teneal ATTARD (NSW), Madonna BLYTH (QLD), Peta GALLAGHER (ACT), Deanne GILBERT (SA), Kate HOLLYWOOD (NSW), Fiona JOHNSON (NSW), Amy KORNER (QLD), Shelley LIDDELOW (WA), Rachel LYNCH (VIC), Kobie McGURK (WA), Emma MEYER (QLD), Hope MUNRO (WA), Donna-Lee PATRICK (SA), Rebecca SANDERS (NSW), Sarah TAYLOR (ACT), Renee TROST (VIC), Melanie TWITT (NSW), Kim WALKER (WA).
2007 National Squad
Nicole ARROLD (ACT), Teneal ATTARD (NSW), Madonna BLYTH (QLD), Toni CRONK (NSW), Casey EASTHAM (NSW), Suzie FAULKNER (QLD), Peta GALLAGHER (ACT), Deanne GILBERT (SA), Emily HALLIDAY (WA), Kate HOLLYWOOD (NSW), Nikki HUDSON (QLD), Rachel IMISON (VIC), Fiona JOHNSON (NSW), Amy KORNER (QLD), Kobie McGURK (WA), Emma MEYER (QLD), Hope MUNRO (WA), Donna-Lee PATRICK (SA), Rebecca SANDERS (NSW), Angie SKIRVING (QLD), Sarah TAYLOR (ACT), Melanie TWITT (NSW), Kim WALKER (WA).
2007 Development Squad
Danette BOLAND (QLD), Kary CHAU (VIC), Jade CLOSE (NSW), Shelley LIDDELOW (WA), Rachael LYNCH (VIC), Claire MESSENT (VIC), Hayley PHIPPS (QLD), Renee TROST (VIC).
Source: Hockey Australia
