Four WA teams set to fly flag at Hockey Australia U18 National Championships

The highly anticipated return of national hockey events has been underlined with a record number of teams to compete at the Hockey Australia Under 18 Championships in Cairns starting on Wednesday.

A total of 24 teams (12 in both the women’s and men’s competitions) comprising approximately 430 players from every state and territory will descend on Far North Queensland for the first national hockey tournament of the year from 6-14 April 2022.

WA will be represented by two men's and two women's sides, boasting a plethora of up and coming talent set to fly the flag for WA.

72 of WA's brightest budding young stars will hit the field in Cairns, with many of the athletes making the trip after recently completing a stint in the Ric Charlesworth Classic as preparation for the upcoming tournament.

Every match of the U18 Championships will be streamed on LIVEHockey.

Due to COVID forced disruptions, the Under 18 Championships will be the first national hockey tournament since April 2021.

It will also be the first time Cairns has hosted a national hockey event since 2015.

“To have national hockey championships back is fantastic. What a great way to launch this year’s event calendar by having the best Under 18 hockey talent in Australia converging in Cairns,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.

“The record number of teams and players competing in these championships highlights not only how much sport and hockey has been missed at this level, but the enthusiasm of this age group to represent their home state or territory, and also their love of the game.”

“The Under 18 Championships is a crucial part of the hockey pathways program and it’s hugely exciting for the Cairns region to have the opportunity to watch elite hockey. Let’s hope some of these players are back in the Sunshine State in 2032 to represent their country at a home Olympics.”

The Hockey Australia U18 Championships is a tournament that unearths Kookaburras and Hockeyroos stars of the future.

This year’s event is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

NSW State are the defending Under 18 Men’s Champions, while Queensland won the Women’s Gold Medal in 2021.

The 2022 Hockey Australia U18 Championships are made possible thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council.

2022 Hockey Australia U18 Championships

6-14 April 2022

North Cairns Hockey Facility, Cairns QLD

Men’s Match Schedule (and results as they happen)

Women’s Match Schedule (and results as they happen)

All matches will be livestreamed on LIVEHockey

Teams - U18 Women

Western Australia Black

Seraphina Andrew, Ana Cana-Machado, Alex Enslin, Ivy Foyster, Heidi Hill, Lucy Hills, Jemima Hoddinott (gk), Lilly Mann, Portia Miller, Harper Newnham, Samantha Pope, Sienna Ramshaw, Sienna Robinson, Mischa Rodier, Shelby Rumens, Bella Rutter, Kate Thomas, Mikayla Wardrope (gk)

Coach: Casey Donaldson

Western Australia Gold

Matilda Banfield, Maddison Fenwick, Jessica Freedman, Summer Greenway (gk), Scarlett Huston, Ashlee Jarvis, Megan McCaffrey, Elyssa Melville, Caitlin Mundy, Saysha Pillay, Jaeda Ritchie, Tess Rowling (gk), Eliza Swain, Caitlyn Templeman, Siena Tonkin, Alicia Tory, Arielle Vaskas, Sari Wootton

Coach: Jemma Buckley

Teams - U18 Men

Western Australia Black

Benjamin Arnold, Nathan Botha, Sebastian Chandraratna, Michael Forman, Callum Inglis, Charlie Johnston, Divan Joubert, Travis King (gk), Aaron Klages, Samuel Le Dain, Mason Michalopoulos, Padraig Munt, Cody Peipi (gk), Jeremy Pilatti, Samuel Rimmer, Shaun Shackley, Fletcher Wetherell, Ethan Yem

Coach: Stu van Selm

Western Australia Gold

Patrick Andrew, Tom Brook, Jaxon Browne, Cian Chase, Jarod Crick (gk), Jack Cudby, Matthew Edwards (gk), Jack Faulkner, Ian Grobbelaar, Brodie Hiskins, Kirby Hobbs, Mitchell Hyde, Jeremy Mayne, Charlie McCarthy, Mitchell McGrath, Blake Murdoch, Nicholas Ng, Matthew van Selm

Coach: Tim Geers