Paul Gaudoin and Hockey Australia announce their squad for 2021.
To say there are some big shocks is an understatement.
As reported by Simon Orchard in edition 17th of Hockey World News (Edition 17), the squad has been reduced to premature retirements, leadership spills, and enough bitching and backstabbing to make contestants in the Bachelor mansion look like members of the Brady Bunch. Overwhelming dissatisfaction with the direction and purpose of this group coupled with a mixture of overzealous coaches, a lacklustre governing body, and poor leadership – on and off the field – the Hockeyroos have had an inevitable fall from grace.
Some changes were needed, or as the HA press release says, a ‘renewed focus towards an injection of young blood into the Hockeyroos fold’. Now with this new announcement and the notable absence of Rachel Lynch, the Worlds No.1 Goalkeeper, along with influential stars Georgie Morgan and Karri McMahon, the Hockeyroos have weakened their squad somewhat in what is viewed by the media as a ‘get in line or get out’ selection phase.
If the decision has been taken by CEO Matt Favier, High-Performance Director Toni Cumpston or Head Coach Paul Gaudoin, the fact that they have chosen a squad for the next Olympic cycle (Paris 2024) is indicative of the decision.
Several players at the height of their powers have either walked or been forced out. Anna Flanagan, Kathryn Slattery, Madi Ratcliffe, Gabi Nance, Jade Warrender and Georgie Parker, to name a few. And some – after reflection – are happy that they are well away from the world they simply did not love. Nance even came back but left again. You might say that one walkout is a lightning strike – but two are more likely to be an indictment on the programme.
Now add to that list, Lynch, Morgan and McMahon, and you’ve got a line up that would be a challenge to World Honors in their own right.
BRUXELLES (Belgium) – Georgina Morgan (Aus.) scored 0-1, during Hockey World League women (semi final competition) BELGIUM v AUSTRALIA. right keeper Rachael Lynch (Aus.) COPYRIGHT KOEN SUYK
A common denominator among the group above is they all speak their minds and are strong-willed. They weren’t ready to settle for mediocrity or a sub-par environment – and made their thoughts and feelings well known in the hope of improving conditions in the team.
Only time will tell if this latest announcement and squad selection is the right move or a selection policy that will come back to haunt Gaudoin in Tokyo.
Australia Women 2021 squad in full:
| Name | Date of Birth | Hometown, State | Caps (Goals) |
| Laura Barden | 9/06/1994 | Kew, VIC | 44 (5) |
| Jocelyn Bartram (gk) | 4/05/1993 | Albury, NSW | 51 (0) |
| Edwina Bone | 24/04/1988 | Orange, NSW | 202 (5) |
| Emily Chalker | 28/07/1992 | Crookwell, NSW | 244 (82) |
| Jane Claxton | 26/10/1992 | Adelaide, SA | 182 (18) |
| Kalindi Commerford | 18/11/1994 | Ulladulla, ACT | 50 (8) |
| Madison Fitzpatrick | 14/12/1996 | Cabarita Beach, QLD | 75 (16) |
| Greta Hayes | 17/10/1996 | Sydney, NSW | 9 (0) |
| Kate Jenner | 5/05/1990 | Mudgee, NSW | 127 (1) |
| Stephanie Kershaw | 19/04/1995 | Townsville, QLD | 64 (7) |
| Amy Lawton | 19/01/2002 | Emerald, VIC | 14 (3) |
| Rosie Malone | 8/01/1998 | Burleigh, QLD | 51 (11) |
| Kaitlin Nobbs | 24/09/1997 | Newington, NSW | 82 (4) |
| Meg Pearce | 1/07/1994 | Camp Hill, QLD | – |
| Brooke Peris | 16/01/1993 | Darwin, NT | 171 (26) |
| Aleisha Power (gk) | 1/01/1997 | Northam, WA | 3 (0) |
| Courtney Schonell | 17/09/2000 | Campbelltown, NSW | – |
| Karri Somerville | 7/04/1999 | Kensington, WA | 2 (0) |
| Penny Squibb | 9/02/1993 | Tambellup, WA | 10 (1) |
| Grace Stewart | 24/04/1997 | Gerringong, NSW | 86 (25) |
| Renee Taylor | 28/09/1996 | Everton Park, QLD | 82 (8) |
| Sophie Taylor | 12/09/1995 | Melbourne, VIC | 34 (1) |
| Ashlee Wells (gk) | 1/08/1989 | Morwell, VIC | 121 (0) |
| Mariah Williams | 31/05/1995 | Parkes, NSW | 83 (15) |
| Georgia Wilson | 20/05/1996 | Mahogany Creek, WA | 38 (0) |
*two more athletes are to be added
