Four Western Australians selected for Jillaroos training camp

22 athletes aspiring to represent Australia at the next FIH Junior Women’s World Cup will assemble in Alice Springs today for a six-day training camp.

The Jillaroos squad selected for the camp are all age eligible to compete at the Junior World Cup, which is the biggest global hockey stage for athletes under 21 years of age.

Four WA athletes were selected into the squad, with Britney Desilva, Maddison Fenwick, Saysha Pillay and Belle Ramshaw all flying the WA flag in the national squad.

Three players currently in the Women’s National Development Squad – Grace Young, Tatum Stewart and Zali Ward – were also selected for the training camp following strong performances at the recent Hockey Australia U21 Championships. Unfortunately Stewart is a late withdrawal due to injury, her place taken by Cam Vaughan. Emily Hamilton-Smith has also sadly been ruled out of the camp due to injury.

Jillaroos Head Coach Stacia Strain said the training camp in the Red Centre was part of a wholistic approach to nurturing and developing not only world class hockey players but also forming an exceptional team culture.

“We wanted to re-think how we develop our athletes and what we prioritise in their development,” said Strain.

“While producing exceptional Hockeyroos players is our goal, our responsibility is much more than this. It is also to provide an environment where our young women can grow and develop with a greater understanding of themselves and each other.

“Alice Springs is a magical place and the heart of Australia in both in a geographical and metaphorical sense and it provides an opportunity to create strong, meaningful connections.

“Connection with each other and connection to country. We are excited to launch into our Junior World Cup 2023 campaign and begin to create our identity, purpose and belonging to the Jillaroos.”

The Arrernte people are the traditional custodians of Alice Springs and the surrounding region.

Jillaroos Squad – Alice Springs Training Camp (18-23 August 2022)

First Name      Surname                       State

Makayla           Jones                            NSW

Alana               Kavanagh                       NSW

Kendelle          Tait                                NSW

Grace              Young                            NSW

Jordan             Bliss                               QLD

Madeline         Kenny                            QLD

Kyra                 Livermore                      QLD

Jade                Reid                               QLD

Tatum*             Stewart                          QLD

Georgina         West                              QLD

Carly                Hoffmann                      SA

Katie                Sharkey                         SA

Maddison        Brooks                           TAS

Emily*              Hamilton-Smith              VIC

Bridget            Laurence                       VIC

Josie               Lawton                           VIC

Evie                 Stansby                         VIC

Zali                  Ward                              VIC

Britney             Desilva                           WA

Maddison        Fenwick                         WA

Saysha            Pillay                              WA

Belle                Ramshaw                       WA

*Withdrawn due to injury