Australia:
Incumbent Burra Dylan Brick was a key member of the 2024 Liberty Hockey One League silver medal winning Canberra Chill.
Burras coach Jay Stacy and Jillaroos coach Stacia Strain have named powerful 18-strong U21 teams ahead of the Oceania Qualifiers, which will take place in Auckland from 26 January – 3 February.
Culminating in an action-packed grand final day on Sunday, 3 February, the top two teams in the women’s and men’s competition will qualify for December’s women’s 2025 Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile and the men’s Junior World Cup in India, with the winner of the final guaranteed a favourable seeding position.
National Pathway Technical Coach Mark Knowles said the postponement of the Qualifiers from December until late January has unearthed a massive opportunity for some younger, talented players.
“We have had to pivot and alter our original selection due to the postponement of the Qualifiers until late January, and what that means is all of the players contesting the Qualifiers are now age-eligible for the Junior World Cups in December.
“The depth of talent in Australia is unmatched when you look at these lineups and I’m excited to see what they can do next month in New Zealand.”
Breakout Liberty Hockey One League seasons have led to a dream call-up for many players selected, including Canberra’s Dylan Brick.
The call from Jay Stacy capped a whirlwind three months for Dylan after he scored a hattrick for the Canberra Chill on debut in the Liberty Hockey One League in October, before the side continued to the grand final.
“I knew I had played well but you just never know when it comes to selection,” Dylan said.
“Then Jay gave me a phone call while I was at work, and obviously, I picked up. To be honest, when he told me, I was pretty lost for words. I couldn’t say too much.
“I’m just super excited… I’ve had a tough couple of years leading into my Hockey One debut with a few injuries. Now, looking back, it definitely feels like it’s paid off!
Dylan joins Queensland’s Matthew Hawthorne and New South Wales Jared Findlay on debut for the Burras in January. They’ll link up with 15 experienced players who have been with the Burras 2024 squad.
“A lot of the group returned from the Sultan Johor Cup in Malaysia last month, and the majority of us played Hockey One which has been great preparation against the Kookaburras. We’re feeling really prepared to do well in New Zealand,” Dylan added.
Karissa Van der Wath returns to Stacia Strain’s Jillaroos side, following a fantastic season with the silver medal winning Brisbane Blaze.
ACT goalkeeper Alyssa Smith and Evie Stansby have earned their debut for the Jillaroos and will join 16 returning 2024 squad members in their bid to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
The lineup includes Queensland midfielder Karissa Van der Wath, who will return alongside her state counterpart Camryn Mathison after a breakout 2024.
“I was actually on a trip with Camryn when the teams came out,” Karissa recalled.
“When we saw both of our names we were over the moon! It’s always a great honour to play for your country and then to be able to do that with your best friend, as well as an incredible group of caring girls, it’s just indescribable really, I’m overwhelmed and really excited for what’s to come.
“The main goal is to get gold at the Junior World Cup, and with that comes a lot of hard work but it’s also about creating a strong environment and we do that every time we go away with the Jillaroos.
“Together with Stacia, we have created a sisterhood so every time we step on the field we can have hard conversations with each other while understanding it comes from a place of care and knowing we’re out to improve each other, and together.
“I’m incredibly excited to see what 2025 holds for the Jillaroos.”
Burras & Jillaroos Squads for Junior World Cup Qualifiers (NZ, January 2025)
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