The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have finalised preparations on the eve of tomorrow’s opening FIH Pro League doubleheader against Belgium, announcing their squads.
Both teams are in for a big year leading into Tokyo 2020 and the FIH Pro League is the perfect place for them to kick it off right, with the Kookaburras out to defend their title and Hockeyroos looking to improve on their impressive second-place finish last year.
“This year is a huge one and while the focus is ensuring we peak for Tokyo in July, it is important that we start our Pro League season in a positive way,” Hockeyroos Head Coach Paul Gaudoin said.
“There are a few girls who are carrying some sore spots and minor injury niggles who will remain in Perth, but for the 21 players who are travelling to Sydney, it is a chance for them to put their best foot forward as we continue to work on the style and way we want to play.”
“The players have been training well and are really looking forward to playing in front of big home crowds in Sydney and starting the year on the right note.”
For the Kookaburras, who are the defending FIH Pro League Champions, they face their 2019 grand final opponents and world number two ranked Belgium in a genuine first up blockbuster.
The two teams have developed a fierce rivalry with the intriguing next chapter to unfold as they compete on back-to-back days.
“We have had a solid block of training since the players returned after the Christmas break and have been gradually building up towards taking on Belgium this weekend,” Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch said.
“This is a great opportunity to have the full squad in Sydney, get some solid training under our belt and face two excellent opponents first up.”
“I know the players are really excited about competing in the Pro League again and we probably could not ask for a better opening to the competition than by playing in front of a parochial home crowd against the team that pushed us all the way last year.”
On the women’s side, Belgium proved a bogey side for the Hockeyroos last year as the Europeans won both of their Pro League encounters, before the Hockeyroos went on to finish runners-up to the Netherlands in a thrilling grand final of the inaugural edition of the competition.
The consecutive doubleheaders against Belgium on 25/26 January will be followed by back-to-back doubleheaders against Great Britain, again at Sydney Olympic Park.
Great Britain’s women’s team are the reigning Olympic gold medallists, while the men’s team is full of talent and can upset any team on their day.
In support of the current bushfire crisis, Hockey Australia is encouraging all patrons who attend the Sydney matches to make a gold coin donation upon entry with all proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
Hockey Australia and its corporate partners have also pledged to donate $500 to the Red Cross for every goal the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos score against Belgium and Great Britain.
The FIH Pro League is ‘hockey at it’s best’ and the next two weekends at Sydney Olympic Park are certain to be testament of that.
Furthermore, the men’s FIH Pro League trophy, which the Kookaburras won last year, will be in Sydney this week as it undertakes a global tour to all of the competing nations.
Tickets for the matches are available now through Ticketek.
