HOCKEY Australia has unveiled its first ever Kookaburras and Hockeyroos teams for the inaugural FIH Pro League matches against the Netherlands and Belgium at Melbourne’s State Netball and Hockey Centre this weekend.
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Australia will play their first matches in the world-first FIH Pro League, which pits the world’s best nations against each other on a weekly home-and-away basis.
The world number three Hockeyroos, featuring Gerringong’s Grace Stewart, will take on the world number one Dutch, who won the World Cup and Champions Trophy in 2018, and 13th-ranked Belgium.
While the world number two Kookaburras will play last month’s World Cup runners-up Netherlands (ranked third) and World Cup winners Belgium (ranked first).
The Hockeyroos, who will be without Mollymook’s Kalindi Commerford (hamstring) for the two matches, will be out for revenge after losing to the Netherlands in November’s Champions Trophy final and August’s World Cup semi-finals on penalties.
Joining Stewart in the Hockeyroos 18-person squad are Georgia Wilson and Mariah Williams – who will make their return from long-term injuries.
Wilson hasn’t played since November 2017 after suffering an ACL injury in January 2018, while Williams’ last cap was in April 2017.
“It’s fantastic for Georgia and Mariah – they’ve had long-term injuries, Georgia with her ACL and Mariah with her groin,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said.
“They’ve put in a lot of hard work so it’s pleasing we’ve been able to select them for the games in Melbourne.”
“The Netherlands are the best team in the world and it’s a great test for us to start the FIH Pro League.
“Belgium as well, both games are going to be very tough.
“Belgium are getting better, we saw that at the World Cup with some of their results.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Stewart’s Hockeyroos will face the Netherlands at 5pm on Saturday before backing up at 5pm the next day against Belgium – with both matches at Melbourne’s State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Hockeyroos squad: Kristina Bates, Edwina Bone, Lily Brazel, Emily Chalker, Jane Claxton, Madison Fitzpatrick, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Jodie Kenny, Rachael Lynch, Ambrosia Malone, Kaitlin Nobbs, Hayley Padget, Brooke Peris, Grace Stewart, Sophie Taylor, Ashlee Wells, Mariah Williams and Georgia Wilson.
