The future of the Burras and Jillaroos is in safe hands with the re-signing of both Kookaburras legend Jay Stacy and Stacia Strain until next year’s FIH Junior World Cups.
With all eyes on hockey in Olympic year, the next generation of Hockeyroos and Kookaburras rests on the development of young, exciting under-21 talent in the junior national teams.
Stacy and Strain get their respective 2024 campaigns underway this week, when thousands of budding elites battle it out at the Under-21 National Championships in Newcastle, NSW.
Strain says it’s an honour to have been re-appointed as the head coach of the Jillaroos for another two years.
“I am thrilled and excited to continue working with such a talented group of athletes.”
“Our program’s primary goal is to prepare athletes for the transition into the Hockeyroos program. However, we also understand the importance of cultivating an environment that encourages these young women to challenge themselves, grow, and thrive both on and off the pitch.”
Many of the Jillaroos will step up into the under-23 environment with a tour to Europe in June before the all-important Junior World Cup qualifiers take place across the ditch in New Zealand in December.
The schedule is similar for Stacy and the Burras, who will tour Europe in June, before the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia in October acts as a prime warm-up to the Junior World Cup qualifiers.
Burras Schedule
June – Europe Tour
October – Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia
December – Junior World Cup Qualifiers in NZ
Jillaroos Schedule
December – Junior World Cup Qualifiers in NZ
