Brisbane camp crucial for Jillaroos’ World Cup preparation

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