Electric new talent bolsters powerful 2025 Hockeyroos Squad

A raft of returning, exciting talent will strengthen a confident Hockeyroos squad heading into 2025 and beyond as head coach Katrina Powell names a 24-strong lineup with an eye to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

Four players are making a comeback to the Hockeyroos, having earned a full-time call-up to the official squad after a superior Liberty Hockey One League season. While three players are set to debut, adding new firepower to an already powerful Hockeyroos side.

In a remarkable story of resilience and perseverance, NSW’s Courtney Schonell returns to the squad after recovering from a major knee injury, which cut her Olympic dream short in 2024.

Fresh off a maiden Liberty Hockey One League title victory with the Perth Thundersticks, Schonell joins Perth teammate Lexie Pickering, who has earned her debut call-up to the women’s national squad after the duo combined to become an unstoppable force in the Thundersticks attack.

After a breakout 2024, setting a Liberty Hockey One League record with 13 goals, Pickering will join quick Queensland striker and goal assist extraordinaire Jade Smith and prolific NSW goal scorer Abby Wilson, who amassed 17 caps for the Hockeyroos after being called up in 2023. 

“We have looked to the future in the squad the Selectors have picked. There is so much potential and a lot to be excited about.” Katrina said.

“We’ve got an incredibly strong striker line with our star returning players in Alice Arnott, who had a phenomenal Paris Olympic campaign and co-captain Grace Stewart, and Lexie, Courtney and Jade joining that group.

“But it will also come from the back with players returning like Karri Somerville and Penny Squibb, and I’m excited to see the attacking commitment of Morgan Mathison in the middle of the field to add to that engine room as well.”

Mathison is considered a strong midfield prospect for the Hockeyroos and has earned a dream call-up after helping the Brisbane Blaze to the silver medal in the Liberty Hockey One League.

NSW Pride trio Alana Kavanagh, goalkeeper Zoe Newman and defender Maddi Smith round out the new additions as Powell injects experienced youth into the lineup ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the LA 2028 Games.

After farewelling recent retirees Jane Claxton, Renee Taylor and Brooke Peris, and Stephanie Kershaw and Rebecca Greiner taking a sabbatical from the top level, Katrina is drawing on the immense depth in hockey across Australia.

“While there were aspects of our performances in Paris that were pleasing, it wasn’t the result we were chasing. There are elements we will take forward, including the way the athletes went about their job both on and off the field.

“We intend to build on our strong foundations, while also respecting the fact it's the first year in the LA Olympic cycle. We are conscious we need this refreshed group to get international exposure and create their own identity over the next four years.”

“We want to take the attacking aggressive team play that is the hallmark of the Hockeyroos to another level. I know our experienced players combined with the new players and the craft, speed and energy they bring will help us do that.”

The Hockeyroos kickstart their 2025 FIH Pro League campaign in Sydney in just eight weeks against Spain and China from 5-9 February.

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The squad will travel to Argentina in late February before touring Europe in June as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup Qualifier at the Oceania Cup when international hockey returns to Darwin in September.

All Hockeyroos and Kookaburras matches will be streamed live and free on 7plus.

HOCKEYROOS 2025 SQUAD

* 2024 Hockeyroos Rebecca Greiner and Stephanie Kershaw are taking a sabbatical from the High Performance program and were not available for selection.
* 2024 Hockeyroos Jane Claxton, Renee Taylor and Brooke Peris announced their retirement from international hockey following the Paris Olympic Games.

Hockeyroos 2025 Schedule
February 5-9, FIH Pro League – Sydney v Spain & China
February 21-25, FIH Pro League – Argentina v Argentina & Belgium
FIH Pro League Europe Tour
June 7-8 – Netherlands v Netherlands
June 14 – 19 – London v England & India
June 21 – 22 – Berlin v Germany
2025 Oceania Cup (2026 World Cup Qualifiers), September 4 - 7 v New Zealand

2025 HOCKEYROOS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

TIER ONE PLAYERS IN THE 2025 HOCKEYROOS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD