Hockey Australia today announced an 18-strong Under-23 Australian Development team for the upcoming China Tour, which includes VIS’ Nicola Hammond, Sophie Taylor and Aisling Utri.
The side will compete in a tournament with the hosts China, Great Britain, Germany and Chinese National Champions Jiangsu, across six matches from 3-12 November in Changzhou.
National Junior Women’s Coach, Tim White, says the tour is a great opportunity for players to showcase their talent and work towards Olympic qualification, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the next Olympic cycle.
“This tour represents a great opportunity for athletes to experience foreign conditions, life on tour and matches against quality international opposition from Asia and Europe.” He said.
“The tour will also provide an excellent opportunity to assess emerging talent, as the athletes look to push into National Development and National Senior squads, with the aim of representing the Hockeyroos at benchmark events in the coming years.”
The team consists of Under-23 athletes from the 2018 National Development Squad, 2018 National Squad Junior Squad and top age 2017 National Junior Squad athletes.
The team is due to fly out for China on Tuesday 30 October.
Under-23 Australian Development team for China Tour:
Casey Dolkens (QLD)
Morgan Gallagher (QLD)
Annie Gibbs (WA)
Rebecca Greiner (QLD)
Nicola Hammond (VIS)
Rene Hunter (NSW)
Euleena MacLachlan (SA)
Pippa Morgan (WA)
Mikaela Patterson (NSW)
Candyce Peacock (WA)
Aleisha Power (WA)
Renee Rockliff (WA)
Michaela Spano (SA)
Tina Taseska (ACT)
Sophie Taylor (VIS)
Shanea Tonkin (WA)
Aisling Utri (VIS)
Abigail Wilson (NSW)
