Tambellup’s Penny Squibb named in new-look Hockeyroos squad as they prepare for next Olympic Games

Tambellup-raised defender Penny Squibb has been named in the Hockeyroos squad for 2022 as the national women’s hockey team begins its focus on the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Squibb has made 14 appearances for her country and is among a youthful 22-player Hockeyroos squad announced on Monday. The news is pleasing for the talented 29-year-old who was cruelly ruled out of the Tokyo Games last year with a quad injury, days before the team flew to Japan. It would have been Squibb’s biggest tournament in Australian colours but she is now part of an “exciting new chapter” for the Hockeyroos as they push for a medal in Paris. Squibb is among five WA players in the national squad and is set to play a key role in defence as they prepare for a busy year ahead. The Hockeyroos have the World Cup coming up in July followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which start at the end of July. There are three uncapped players in the squad plus one returning from a long layoff, alongside six members who have played fewer than five international games. Head coach Katrina Powell said their focus was on blooding new talent as they turned their attention to Paris and a longer vision of the home Olympics in Brisbane in 2032. “I’m really excited about the future of this group,” Powell said. “It has retained a lot of talent that saw us perform well in Tokyo, but I think the addition of the four new players will help us solidify that and put our hand up for a medal in Paris. “The experience piece is an important one. You want to go into an Olympic Games as an experienced group, so that’s why we have made some of these changes to the squad now. “Looking to the future in Paris and beyond, it’s important to expose these players to big matches we have this year with the World Cup and Commonwealth Games. “Having them experience and learn from these major tournaments this year is critical.” Northam’s Aleisha Power, Kensington’s Karri Somerville, Perth’s Shanea Tonkin and Mahogany Creek’s Georgia Wilson are the other WA products in the squad.