Jeremy Hayward, Brooke Peris and Jayde Taylor headline Territory Stingers squads

The Territory Stingers have announced their squads for the 2024 Festival of Hockey full of young talent, experienced stars and some Australian hockey royalty. See the team lists.

A mixture of veteran stars and up and coming Northern Territory talent has been selected as part of the initial Stingers squads for the 2024 edition of the Festival of Hockey.

The Festival of Hockey is set to take place at the MWT Hockey Centre on September 20-21, as Hockey NT continues to push for a return to the Hockey One League.

The Stingers last played in the national competition in 2018.

Stinger Jamie Hullick will return to the men’s side, as will former national junior Isaac Farmillo and an influx of youth such as Aiden Able and Dominic Andrade.

The women will welcome debutants such as 16-year-old Niesha Casimiro and under-18s star Koda Carne, while former Hockeyroo Liz Duiguid is also set to make a return.

Territory Olympians Jeremy Hayward and Brooke Peris have been named, and in an exciting development former Hockeyroos stars Jayde Taylor and Kirstin Dwyer have signed on to play.

They will be joined by former Perth Diamonds and National Junior players Jemma and Ellie Buckley, with Blackstick defender Izzy Gill also returning to cement her place in the Stingers women’s rebuild.

Jeremy Hayward has again been named in the Territory Stingers. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It’s also hoped that former Kookaburra and Blacksticks’ star Leon Hayward will add his name to the men’s side in a further coup.

Men’s coach Kieran Govers said the mix of young talent and experienced stars would help bolster the side for this year’s festival.

“We are continuing to combine our seasoned players with our next generation of talent,” he said.

“Our senior players are a critical part of bridging the gap from the time missed from playing at this level.”

Women’s head coach Michelle Caden said bringing quality, senior players on board was a crucial step towards returning to the national tournament.

“This is a critical step in our journey back to the Hockey One League,” she said.

“Our senior players, including Duguid, Peris, and Pavy, who recently played for the Adelaide Fire in the Hockey One League, are critical parts of us fast-tracking the education of our group.”

Hockeyroo player Jayde Taylor and Brooke Peris, who were both in the famous selfie, are in the 2024 Territory Stingers squad.

Hockey NT’s Jason Butcher said the inclusion of Australian hockey royalty was a testament to the importance of the Stingers.

“The festival is a significant event for hockey in the territory,” he said.

“It not only showcases our talent and provides our community access to our best players, but it also offers a crucial opportunity to enhance our capacity to play and host games at this level.”

“The inclusion of Australian hockey royalty is a testament to the importance of the Stingers to Australian hockey, as support continues to grow in the high-performance community.”

Initial squads

MEN

Aiden Able, Dominic Andrade, Luke Broadway, Lucas Camara, Joel Carroll, Jyhe Clarke, Cameron Cooke, Robert Duguid, Billy Fahy, Calvin Farmilo, Isaac Farmilo, Dane Gavranich, Tarrant Haami-Jones, Jeremy Hayward, Leon Hayward, Karl Hochman, Nathan Hochman, Jamie Hullick, Adrian Lockley, Mitchell Lockley, Adam Luck, Khaden Mallett, Jeremy Mayne, Ethan MacDonald, Jayden McGregor, Mitchell Northcote, Ayden Parkin, Jonathon Peris, Zach Rakkas, Ben Reynolds, Lachlan Walters, Huw Wiltshire

WOMEN

Sydney Auld, Krista Bilato, Jemma Buckley, Ellie Buckley, Koda Carne, Niesha Casimiro, Emily Chaffey, Isobel Cowell, Tiana Crompton, Macenzee Dixon, Ash D’Souza, Elizabeth Duguid, Kirstin Dwyer, Izzy Gill, Sally Howie, Stacey Luck, Natalie Lynch, Jessica Martin Brown, Lauren Mutton, Camille O’Conor, Isabelle O’Conor, Kirra Lee Pavy, Brooke Peris, Destiny Peris, Elle Richardson, Josie Short, Amy Stripling, Jayde Taylor, Zita Varatharajan, Eliza Pridham

Originally published as Jeremy Hayward, Brooke Peris and Jayde Taylor headline Territory Stingers squads