The Hockeyroos’ 18-member squad, aiming for gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, was announced on Friday and it include Gerringong’s Grace Stewart.
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The 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from April 4-15, with the Hockeyroos starting their campaign on Thursday, April 5 against Canada.
Emily Smith, who was appointed captain in September, will lead the Hockeyroos as they chase a fourth straight Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said reducing the squad down to 18 players in selection had been challenging due to the even nature of the emerging group.
“Selection for the Commonwealth Games has been extremely difficult,” Gaudoin said.
“We have a very even group at the moment.
“We’ve tried to develop a squad where any of our players could play in the Commonwealth Games team.
“It’s obviously difficult to finalise the top 18 as a result but we’ve come up with a group that we think is well balanced.”
The Hockeyroos have had an intense training block over the past month after back-to-back series wins over Spain and China earlier this year, having also won the Oceania Cup in October.
World number five Australia will face strong opposition to retain their Commonwealth Games crown, with both England (second) and New Zealand (fourth) currently ranked higher than the Hockeyroos.
“We’re aiming to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games,” Gaudoin said.
“We’ve picked a team that we think can be very successful there.
“The Commonwealth Games history is fantastic for the Hockeyroos and, while we’re aware of it, we know we have to write our own history and that would be a significant success story for the Hockeyroos.
“I think we’re pretty close to being ready now. It’s been valuable having match practice early on this year in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games and also with the World Cup in July/August.”
Commonwealth Games Australia Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti also congratulated the final players selected onto Team Australia.
"Congratulations to the outstanding Australian athletes that have been announced onto the team – it’s great to include these hockey stars into the Team," Moneghetti said.
“With the inclusion of these athletes, we now have 473 Australian athletes onto the team that will compete at the games.
“Australia has a very proud and successful history in the hockey competition at Commonwealth Games and we would love nothing more than to see that success continue on the Gold Coast.”
The Hockeyroos are in Pool B in the women’s draw alongside New Zealand (fourth), Scotland (18th), Canada (21st) and Ghana (30th).
Hockeyroos’ Commonwealth Games team: Jocelyn Bartramm, Edwina Bone, Jane Claxton, Ashlea Fey, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Jordyn Holzberger, Emily Hurtz, Jodie Kenny, Stephanie Kershaw, Rachael Lynch, Karri McMahon, Gabrielle Nance, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris, Madi Ratcliffe, Emily Smith ©, Grace Stewart and Renee Taylor.
Hockeyroos fixtures (all times AEST):
Thursday, April 5 4:30pm – Australia vs Canada
Saturday, April 7 9:30pm – Australia vs Ghana
Monday, April 9 9:30pm – Australia vs New Zealand
Tuesday, April 10 9:30pm – Australia vs Scotland
Thursday, April 12 – semi-finals
Saturday, April 14 – medal matches
