Tambellup’s Hockeyroos star Penny Squibb will captain Perth Thundersticks for 2024 Hockey One season

Tambellup-raised Hockeyroos star Penny Squibb will captain the Perth Thundersticks women’s team for the 2024 Hockey One season. The 31-year-old made her long-awaited Olympics debut this year in Paris and was one of the Hockeyroos’ key performers throughout the Games. The defender has played 51 games for the Hockeyroos, scoring six goals since her national debut in 2018. Now the experienced campaigner will lead the Thundersticks, alongside vice-captain’s Candyce Peacock and Line Malan, for the new season which started on Sunday with a resounding 10-3 victory over Canberra Chill. Squibb said being voted in as captain by her teammates was something she treasured. “To be voted captain by your peers is a nice thing because it’s nice to be recognised,” she said. “Within our group, we’ve all got leadership qualities, and we thrive on that, and we are looking for everyone to bring their own qualities. “I’m definitely looking forward to helping everyone bring out their strengths and have a good season.” The star defender said adjusting to the travel would be crucial and joked she had a new appreciation for other WA sporting teams. “Over the course of the last few seasons we have found ways to better manage travel,” Squibb said. “I have a newfound appreciation for AFL, AFLW and the like that travel every weekend. For us it’s just managing the travel load and the load of players each week.” The Thundersticks men’s side will be co-captained by Tom Harvie and Tom Wickham. Their next match will be on Sunday against Tassie Tigers at Perth Hockey Stadium.