Yesterday, the 27-player Kookaburras squad was announced for next year’s bumper international calendar, with the Hockeyroos today naming their squad as the teams push towards Tokyo 2020.
The majority of this year’s Kookaburra's squad that qualified for Tokyo 2020, won the inaugural Pro League and secured the world number one ranking have been retained, with exciting young talents, 20-year-old Victorian Nathan Ephraums and Sydney based Kurt Lovett, aged 22, the two new inclusions.
Ephraums and Lovett were both members of this year’s National Development Squad and performed outstandingly during the recent Sultana Bran Hockey One League, Lovett scoring eight goals for the season as part of NSW Pride’s all-conquering men’s championship team.
In 2017 Ephraums was named the player of the tournament at the Sultan of Johor Cup while representing Australia’s Under 21 team, and has spent periods of this year training with the Kookaburras at their base in Perth.
With the announcement of the 2020 squad, other notable aspects include Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden possibly heading towards competing at a fourth Olympics and breaking Jamie Dwyer’s all-time Kookaburras appearance record, while a host of players including Tom Craig, Blake Govers, Tom Wickham, Matt Swann, Jeremy Hayward and Jacob Whetton are nearing individual milestones.
You can find the full Kookaburras announcement HERE
The return of some familiar faces and the inclusion of two rising stars highlight the announcement of the 2020 Hockeyroos squad.
The new additions include capped Hockeyroos Laura Barden, Kate Jenner and Gabi Nance, young gun Amy Lawton who has been elevated to a permanent spot in the 27-player squad, while uncapped 20-year-old Karri Somerville has received her first senior call up. All except for Barden were members of this year’s National Development squad.
The squad selected by Head Coach Paul Gaudoin was based on a range of factors underpinned by having personnel who will provide the Hockeyroos with the best chance of success in what is a huge year, beginning with the FIH Pro League in late January and leading into Tokyo 2020 in late July.
Barden, Jenner and Nance combined have made over 230 appearances for the Hockeyroos, the latter two having both competed at an Olympic Games.
Jenner most recently played every match for the Hockeyroos at the Tokyo Test Event back in August, while she also featured in FIH Pro League matches against USA and Argentina.
Barden’s last Hockeyroos appearance came against Spain in January 2018, while Nance last wore the green and gold in Australia’s 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign.
Victorian 17-year-old Lawton made her Hockeyroos debut in the Pro League against New Zealand, played in the Tokyo Test Event and since then has not looked back having ben part of the Hockeyroos team for the Oceania Cup and recent Olympic qualifying series win over Russia.
You can find the full Hockeyroos announcement HERE
