Orange’s Edwina Bone will be among the most experienced players in the Hockeyroos’ 18-strong squad for next month’s Four Nations Women's Ibaraki International Tournament in Japan, which was named earlier this week.
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From the team which competed at the 2018 Women’s World Cup in London and finished fourth there are numerous changes, including opportunities for uncapped trio Hayley Padget, Sophie Taylor and Rebecca Greiner.
Melbourne-based midfielder Padget, 25, and defender Taylor, 22, are both part of the National Development Squad, while Bundaberg forward Greiner, 19, comes from the National Junior Squad.
Blackbutt midfielder Mikaela Patterson, 21, is the other named from outside the National Senior Squad – although she debuted against Japan in Adelaide last November.
“It’s exciting to provide this opportunity to some new faces at an international level and expose the Hockeyroos to Japanese conditions within two years of the Tokyo Olympics,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said.
“Rebecca’s performance at the [under-21 national championship] and her performances in her local daily training environment has brought her to the attention of the selectors.
“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.
“That combined with their performances in their daily training environments has warranted their respective call-ups.”
Jane Claxton returns following a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Ashlee Wells and defender Ashlea Fey are also included after missing World Cup selection.
Several senior members from the World Cup team have been omitted, with Gaudoin eager to explore his playing options.
Third-ranked Australia will come up against lower-ranked sides South Korea, the United States and hosts Japan, with the former replacing Argentina following their withdrawal from the tournament.
The event gives the Hockeyroos a taste of Japanese conditions with less than two years until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well.
The squad is set to fly to Japan on September 6 ahead of their opening game against Japan on the 12th, they’ll also spend a day scoping out the facilities for the Olympics.
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