Pathway to Brisbane 2032: Hockey Australia Announces Under-18 Futures Squads

Australia’s next generation of hockey stars has been unveiled, with Hockey Australia naming two strong Under-18 National Futures Squads for 2025/2026, in what is a key step in the sport’s high performance pathway.

Selected after a standout Under-18 National Championships in Perth two weeks ago, the national Futures Squads boast athletes from every state and territory across the country and represent the group of athletes that are likely to be at their best at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Six New South Wales women have earned selection in the women’s squad after leading NSW to gold at the Australian Under-18 National Championships in Perth.

Heading selection is Player of the Tournament Kahlani Crews, who gave up her footy dream just months ago to focus on her goal of one day playing hockey for Australia in the Hockeyroos.

“It was a really tough decision for me!” Kahlani reflected.

“I was playing for the Sharks in the Lisa Fiaola Cup, and I really loved both sports, but in the end I had to go with hockey because I love it so much… The environment is very different for both sports, but I feel so much more accomplished when I play a good game of hockey.”

The decision to commit quickly paid off, as she went on to produce a Player of the Tournament performance in Perth as NSW struck gold.

“I was still shocked when I found out I had made the Futures Squad! I was grateful, happy and probably more surprised, but very happy.”

Having advanced through hockey’s player pathway from as early as Under-12s, Kahlani said she once missed out on the NSW state side early in her hockey journey, and she wasn’t going to let that happen again.

“From that point, I made it my goal never to miss a team again! This selection just opens my eyes to what I can do and how far I can probably get. It’s a great stepping stone in the right direction.”

Equally, seven Queensland teammates have earned selection after leading the Maroons to gold in Perth, ending their run of second-place finishes.

“A couple of us boys have been around for two years, and to come second twice and now win was just a super good feeling between us as a group,” Queensland’s Joel Hubbard reflected.

“Tassie beat us two years ago to win the tournament, and we versed them in the semi-final this year, so to get up for those games and beat the teams who had beaten us was super good.”

Joel has earned selection for the Futures Squad for the second year running, just months after participating in the Hockey Australia Futures Series on the Gold Coast in May.

“I’m so proud to have made the squad again, from where I’ve come from back in Under 12s, to making all the teams, and to be here is exciting,” Joel added.

“Having good supportive coaches and the best players around you to learn from at that Futures Series was great… I’m looking to make Under-21’s next year and build from there to hopefully make Burras in the coming years.”