A week long Jillaroos camp that includes a tri-series of matches, is being held in Brisbane this week as Australia’s U21 Women’s Squad continues preparations for the 2023 FIH Women’s Junior World Cup.
The Jillaroos will play three matches against Japanese club team Coca Cola Sparks and once against a Hockey Queensland Invitational Team at the State Hockey Centre. The series will also see the Queensland Invitational Team take on the Coca Cola Sparks twice.
The Coca Cola Sparks, who are coached by former Kookaburra Neil Hawgood, are making their return to Queensland after gracing the State Hockey Centre four years ago as part of a series against an Australian Invitational Women’s Team.
With the Women’s Junior World Cup (beginning on 19 November in Chile) drawing closer, these matches are crucial for the Jillaroos and coach Stacia Strain, both in continuing to work on the team’s progress and way of play, while also monitoring the form and progress of athletes in the mix for selection.
“These matches are an invaluable part of our build up to the Junior World Cup and we are grateful to Coca Cola Sparks for coming to Brisbane and also the players making up the Hockey Queensland Invitational Team,” said Strain.
“There have been limited opportunities to bring the athletes in the Jillaroos together, so the time we spend together this week will be really important in taking another step forward in how we want to play and perform in Chile.”
“Having matches against quality opposition will give the group a great indication of the level we are at and enable us to work on connections and test ourselves in high intensity match play.”
“All of the athletes selected in this squad are in contention for Junior World Cup selection, so I’m expecting a really competitive series and look forward to seeing how they perform across the week.
The Jillaroos squad selected for the camp includes current Hockeyroos squad member Hannah Cullum-Sanders, who is among a number of age eligible Hockeyroos who could join the Jillaroos fold later in the year and be in contention for the Junior World Cup team.
The Hockey Queensland Invitational Team features Olympians and former Hockeyroos, Brisbane Blaze team members and former Jillaroos athletes, including Jodie Kenny, Savannah Fitzpatrick and Morgan Gallagher.
Jillaroos Camp and Tri-Series Details
13-18 August 2023
State Hockey Centre, Brisbane
Entry is FREE
Match Schedule
Monday 14 August (5pm AEST)
Jillaroos vs. Coca Cola Sparks
Tuesday 15 August (5pm AEST)
Queensland vs. Jillaroos
Wednesday 16 August (5:15pm AEST)
Queensland vs. Coca Cola Sparks
Thursday 17 August (1:15pm AEST)
Jillaroos vs. Coca Cola Sparks
Friday 18 August (10:15am AEST)
Jillaroos vs. Coca Cola Sparks
Monday 21 August (4pm AEST)
Queensland vs. Coca Cola Sparks
Jillaroos – Brisbane Training Camp Squad
Ellie Baldwin NSW
Alana Kavanagh NSW
Lily Neilson NSW
Jordan Bliss QLD
Hannah Cullum-Sanders QLD
Mihaylia Howell QLD
Madeline Kenny QLD
Camryn Mathison QLD
Jade Reid QLD
Karissa Van der Wath QLD
Keely Walker QLD
Georgina West QLD
Katie Sharkey SA
Lucy Sharman SA
Camila Vaughan TAS
Emily Hamilton-Smith VIC
Charlotte Hodgson VIC
Bridget Laurance VIC
Josie Lawton VIC
Belle Ramshaw WA
Hockey Queensland Invitational Team
Aleisha Neumann, Annelyse Tevant, Briana Suey, Britt Wilkinson, Casey Dolkens, Dayle Dolkens, Emily Baker, Emily Kingston (GK), Emily Robson (ACT), Emily Witheyman-Crump (GK), Fiona Laybutt, Ivy Matthews (GK), Jamie Lee Surha, Jemma Punch, Jodie Kenny, Jordan Bliss (GK), Kendra Fitzpatrick, Kyra Livermore, Liv Martin (ACT), Morgan Gallagher, Morgan Mathison, Rhiannon Baxter, Ruby Harris, Savannah Fitzpatrick
