Fresh faces named in Aussie side for Japan
THREE new faces have joined locals Rosie Malone and Madison and Savannah Fitzpatrick in the Hockeyroos squad for next month’s Four Nations Women’s Ibaraki International Tournament in Japan.
With the September 12-16 event giving the Hockeyroos a taste of Japanese conditions ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, coach Paul Gaudoin has named uncapped trio Hayley Padget, Sophie Taylor and Rebecca Greiner in an 18strong squad.
Blackbutt midfielder Mikaela Patterson, 21, is the other player chosen from outside the national senior squad after debuting against Japan in Adelaide in November.
Gold Coast product Malone and the Fitzpatrick sisters, originally from Cabarita Beach, were part of the Australian squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in London this month.
“Hayley, Sophie and Mikaela had all been in Perth on Visiting Athlete Agreement scholarships prior to the World Cup and earlier in the year and performed well,” Gaudoin said.
“That, combined with their performances in their daily training environments, has warranted their call-up.”
Jane Claxton has also returned following a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Ashlee Wells and defender Ashlea Fey have been recalled after missing World Cup selection.
The squad will fly to Japan on September 6 ahead of their opening Four Nations match against the hosts on September 12.
The group will also spend a day in Tokyo, where they will visit the hockey facilities for the 2020 Olympics.