Tasmania’s Burras team up with the state’s Kookaburras. From left, Oscar Sproule, Jack Welch, Hayden Beltz, Oscar Pritchard, Jack Pritchard, Oliver Stebbings, Josh Beltz, Lachie Rogers and Magnus McCausland.
An impressive contingent of eight Tasmanians put themselves in contention for Junior World Cup selection by being called up to Australia’s under-21 hockey teams.
With global tournaments just five months away, the bumper class of ’25 look set to prolong the state’s proud long-standing record of international representation in the sport.
Selected following May’s under-21 national championships in Bendigo, Magnus McCausland, Jack Pritchard, Oscar Pritchard, Oscar Sproule, Oliver Stebbings and Lachie Rogers all made the Burras squad while twins Maddi and Taylor Brooks linked up internationally for the first time with the Jillaroos.
Both national sides embarked on European tours in June, playing warm-up games in the Low Countries before four-nation tournaments against Spain, India and Germany in Berlin.
Tasmanian Institute of Sport hockey coach Tim Strapp added to the state’s role as head coach of the Jillaroos who made the gold medal game in which they beat the host nation 2-1.
“We are incredibly proud,” Strapp said of the Tasmanian involvement.
“I reckon it probably is unprecedented and quite significant that these guys have got exposure at this level in Europe to put their best case forward for Junior World Cup selection in December.
“They are definitely all in contention. It will be interesting to see how many get there.
Twins and Jillaroos teammates Maddi and Taylor Brooks.
“For the Jillaroos especially, we never get tournament hockey before a Junior World Cup while the boys get another crack at the Johor Cup (in Malaysia) in October. So to have that experience of playing for something that is meaningful is very valuable.”
Strapp said the national recognition reflected well on the Tasmanian hockey program.
“I think it goes to show the motivation and dedication these athletes have shown over the last couple of years. They really have been a consistent group that has trained and supported each other well,” he said.
“The thing I’m proud of is the program we’ve created at the TIS, it’s really athlete-centred where we try and put as much support around these young athletes as possible and help in their decision-making to get to this level.
“I think it’s a real credit to the incredible support team that is around them. Gone are the days where it’s reactionary anymore, where you wait to get an injury before going to see the physiotherapist or you don’t think you eat well so you, so you go to a nutritionist. We try to be as pro-active as possible.”
Strapp was also delighted to step up on the international stage.
“I was assistant to the Jillaroos for the last cycle so to get an opportunity to head coach was amazing, especially to have an opportunity to put my flavour on what the Jillaroos program should look like as we strive to not only create future Hockeyroos, but win a Junior World Cup gold medal in December.”
The men’s Junior World Cup will be staged in Chennai and Madurai, India, from November 28 to December 10 while the women’s is in Santiago, Chile, from December 1 to 13. Squads will be announced in mid-October. Paris Olympian Maddi Brooks is in the Hockeyroos squad but remained eligible for Jillaroos selection.
Written by Rob Shaw