Kate Hollywood returns to Hockeyroos prior to Olympics squad selection

Hockeyroo veteran Kate Hollywood is set to play her first matches for the Hockeyroos since being removed from the national squad in January this year during a test series against world number four team China this week in Busselton, Bunbury and Perth.

Hollywood, who has played 139 international matches and was a member of both the 2006 and 2010 Hockeyroos Commonwealth Games gold medal sides, was named in the Hockeyroos development squad at the beginning of the year.

Remaining close to the program, Hollywood recently played in New Zealand’s national league and has spent the last two months playing club hockey in the Netherlands in an attempt to improve her game.

Since playing as a midfielder, Hollywood has made the transition into defence this year with Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens saying she deserves an opportunity after performing well this year.

“Kate has done well for Australia A during various matches throughout the year.  In keeping with our policy to expose as many players as possible prior to the Olympic squad cut-off date, we want to give her an opportunity to show what she is capable of doing with the Hockeyroos.

There is currently a lot of competition for spots in the team but with some strong performances in this series against China she could challenge for a spot in the squad,” said Commens

For all members of the Hockeyroos, this will be their final chance to impress Commens prior to the 27 player Olympic squad being selected on November 7th.

Hockeyroos China series squad
Fiona Boyce (WA), Jill Dwyer (QLD), Holly Evans (SA), Bianca Greenshields (SA), Kate Hollywood (NSW), Emily Hurtz (NSW), Stacia Joseph (VIC), Amy Korner (QLD), Jacklyn McRae (NSW), Claire Messent (VIC), Sally O’Toole (QLD), Georgie Parker (SA), Elise Stacy (SA), Renee Trost (VIC), Jade Warrender (NSW)Teneal Attard (QLD), Jade Close (NSW), Casey Eastham (NSW), Anna Flanagan (ACT), Kate Hubble (WA), Marnie Hudson (QLD), Kate Jenner (NSW), Kobie McGurk (WA), Hope Munro (WA), Georgia Nanscawen (VIC), Ashleigh Nelson (WA), Lisa Eglington (WA) Rachael Lynch (VIC), Megan Rivers (NSW), Jodie Schulz (QLD), Kellie White (NSW), Jayde Taylor (WA), Emily Smith (NSW), Ashlee Wells (VIC)

Hockeyroos China Series Fixture
Wednesday 26 October
Game 1 – 5.30pm WST
Busselton

Thursday 27 October
Game 2 – 5.30pm WST
Busselton

Sunday 30 October
Game 3 – 1pm WST 
Bunbury

Monday 31 October
Game 4 – 5.30pm WST
Bunbury

Wednesday 2 November
Game 5 – 7pm
Perth

Thursday 3 November
Game 6 – 6pm
Perth