NSWIS players selected for Jillaroos Hockey tour

Seven capped Hockeyroos are among the 18-player Jillaroos team announced to represent Australia at the 10th edition of the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2023 in Chile starting on 29 November.

Maddison Brooks, Claire Colwill, Hannah Cullum-Sanders, Alana Kavanagh (NSWIS and pictured above), Amy Lawton, Tatum Stewart and Grace Young (NSWIS) all have experience at the top level, amassing 171 senior international matches between them.

Add in 11 more of Australia’s best emerging female hockey players, including Josie Lawton (sister of Amy) who played for Australia A against India earlier this year, and it is a team with immense potential according to Jillaroos Coach Stacia Strain.

“Since I took on the role, the emphasis has been on cultivating an environment where we create confident, balanced and independent women who then lead and empower those around to do and be the same,” said Strain.

“This 18-player team is an incredibly talented group who have been selected not just based on their skills but also for their outstanding work ethic, grit, and a commitment to our culture…what we believe are the true hallmarks of Australian hockey.”

“The Junior World Cup is a significant event in the development of young athletes. The coaching staff and I are honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of preparing them for this challenge.

“Our coaching philosophy has always been to push boundaries and strive for excellence, and this selection reinforces our commitment to that vision.”

The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is represented in the squad by Kavanagh, Young, Makayla Jones, and Lily Neilson.

The Jillaroos have never won the prestigious global Under 21 tournament that features the 16 best women’s hockey nations. Australia’s best finish has been silver medals in 1993 and 1997, while they also won bronze in 2001 and 2016.

The Jillaroos missed the last Junior World Cup due to COVID restrictions. The only other occasion Australia missed the tournament was the inaugural edition in 1989.

The Jillaroos open their 2023 Junior World Cup campaign with a blockbuster against defending champions and four-time winners the Netherlands before facing hosts Chile. The Jillaroos’ final pool match is against South Africa.

The top two teams at the end of the pool stage progress to the quarter finals, with the Final to be played on 10 December local time.

Every match of the tournament will be shown on Watch.Hockey.

FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023
Santiago, Chile
29 November – 10 December 2023
Pools
Schedule and results

Jillaroos Pool Matches
Netherlands v Jillaroos
12pm local time, 29 November (2am AEDT, 30 November)

Jillaroos v Chile
8:30pm local time, 30 November (10.30am AEDT, 1 December)

Jillaroos v South Africa
5pm local time, 2 December (7am AEDT, 3 December)