In an exciting few months, the future of women's hockey in Australia will be on display with the announcement of four Australian women's squads.
Heading the list is the Hockeyroos team to tour the United States in August. The team will play a four-nation tournament against the USA, Argentina and the Netherlands where national coach, Frank Murray, will be looking for players to stake their claim for a spot in the Hockeyroos team for the World Cup in September.
Murray has made a number of changes to the side that returned home from the Champions Trophy, with Beattie and Gallagher returning from injury, Casey Eastham to make her debut and Amy Korner, DeAnne Gilbert, Hope Munro and Hayley Phipps all returning to the side.
"Hope Munro has returned to the side after eighteen months out with the birth of her second child," said Murray.
"Hayley Phipps gets another opportunity after playing well at the Indira Ghandi tournament last year, while Amy Korner is back in the side after leading the goal scoring at the Under 21 National Championships last week."
Co-Captain Mel Twitt has been rested for the tour while Suzie Faulkner, Kate Hollywood, Sarah Taylor and Rachel Imison have missed out on selection.
The Hockeyroos depart for the US on August 12 with the tournament running from 17-27 August.
Hockeyroos team for the US tour
Nicole Arrold (ACT), Teneal Attard (QLD), Wendy Beattie (QLD), Madonna Blyth (QLD), Casey Eastham (NSW), Peta Gallagher (ACT), DeAnne Gilbert (SA), Emily Halliday (WA), Nikki Hudson (QLD), Amy Korner (QLD), Rachel Lynch (VIC), Kobie McGurk (WA), Hope Munro (QLD), Donna-Lee Patrick (SA), Hayley Phipps (QLD), Rebecca Sanders (NSW), Angie Skirving (QLD), Karen Smith (QLD), Kim Walker (WA).
Those players that missed out on selection for the US tour still have a chance to press their case for the Hockeyroos World Cup campaign when Australia A take on the touring Chinese national team from 21-27 August in Perth.
Australia A and China will play three matches on Thursday 24 August, 7.30pm; Friday 25 August, 7.30pm; and Sunday 27 August, 4.30pm.
Australia A team
Jane Bennett (QLD), Danette Boland (QLD), Jade Close (NSW), Suzie Faulkner (QLD), Sam Gale (NSW), Kate Hollywood (NSW), Rachel Imison (VIC), Fiona Johnson (NSW), Stacia Joseph (VIC), Shelly Liddelow (WA), Jackie McCrae (NSW), Claire Messent (VIC), Emma Meyer (QLD), Megan Rivers (NSW), Sarah Taylor (ACT), Renee Trost (VIC).
Meanwhile, looking further ahead the future of the women's program will be on display early in 2007 with the Australian Youth Olympics which is being held in Sydney from 17-27 January.
The age-limit for hockey at the AYO is 21 so the 2006/07 National Junior Squad will take part in that tournament where Murray and Assistant National Coach Des King will be keeping an eye out for players pushing for a spot in the Hockeyroos Beijing line-up.
2006/07 National Junior Squad
Stephanie Andrews (WA), Fiona Boyce (WA), Alison Bruce (NSW), Chantelle Ciallela (WA), Jade Close (NSW), Paige Collins (WA), Kate Denning (WA), Holly Evans (SA), Sam Gale (NSW), Courtney Grey (WA), Carla Hunter (QLD), Emily Hurtz (NSW), Rachel Miller (NSW), Danielle Mitrevski (NSW), Harriet Moore (NSW), Jillian Morrison (NSW), Ashleigh Nelson (WA), Georgie Parker (SA), Sally Parks (ACT), Janelle Pisani (SA), Emily Wilson (TAS), Jessica Ford (NSW)
2007 AYOF Squad
Stephanie Andrews (WA), Fiona Boyce (WA), Alison Bruce (NSW), Kary Chau (VIC), Chantelle Ciallela (WA), Jade Close (NSW), Kate Denning (WA), Eloise Duay (TAS), Casey Eastham (NSW), Prue Eiser (QLD), Holly Evans (SA), Sam Gale (NSW), Courtney Grey (WA), Kate Hollywood (NSW), Amy Korner (QLD), Rachel Lynch (VIC), Rachel Miller (NSW), Danielle Mitrevski (NSW), Harriet Moore (NSW), Ashleigh Nelson (WA), Megan O'Connell (VIC), Sally O'Toole (QLD)
