Tambellup’s Squibb set for Hockeyroos debut

Tambellup’s Penny Squibb has been rewarded for her impressive form in the Australian Hockey League after today being named in the 18-member Hockeyroos team for the upcoming FIH Champions Trophy.

A previous member of the national development squad, Squibb has starred for the WA Diamonds in the past two years and is the sole WA player named in the team that will compete from November 17-25.

The Tambellup-raised defender scored five goals in the recent AHL and will provide the Hockeyroos with much need options in their penalty corners.

The 25-year-old will make her debut at the tournament and Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said her form had warranted national selection.

“Penny has been in our development squad for a couple of years,” Gaudoin said.

“She’s been in our training environment a couple of times on a VAA (visiting athlete agreement) scholarship scholarship.

“She’s performed very well in the AHL and we believe she deserves an opportunity to show what she can do at the next level.”

The tournament will be held in Changzhou, China with the No.3 ranked Hockeyroos taking on Argentina, Great Britain, Netherlands, China and Japan.

The team announcement was not good news however for fellow WA player and South Stirling’s Kathryn Slattery, as she was once again overlooked.

Slattery missed out on selection for the Commonwealth Games but fought her way back into the team for the World Cup in July.

The striker has not be favoured by Gaudoin for the Champions Trophy despite being the Hockeyroos leading goal scorer in 2017.