Rockhampton’s Jess Moffat ready for Indoor Hockey World Cup selection

Rockhampton product Jess Moffat is looking to lock in an Australian berth for next year’s indoor hockey World Cup. See just what that selection would mean to her.

Jess Moffat in action for Queensland.

Jess Moffat has plenty to play for at next month’s national open women’s indoor hockey championships.

World Cup selection beckons and it’s something the 22-year-old Rockhampton product has long had in her sights.

That focus sharpened when she was named in the 29-member national squad at the start of this year.

Moffat moved to Brisbane three years ago to advance her hockey career and revealed just what it would mean to play at the international event, which is held every four years.

Australia will be among the 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams contesting the Cup in Poreč, Croatia, from February 3 to 9.

“Making this World Cup team would be everything I’ve ever dreamed of as a little girl,” she said.

Jess Moffat would love nothing more than do don the green and gold of Australia again - this time for the 2025 indoor hockey World Cup.

“I’d almost be happy to hang up my boots knowing I’ve done all I could with hockey.”

This is Moffat’s third appearance at the women’s nationals but she is prepared for it to be the most challenging.

“I think the competition this year will be a lot tougher with World Cup selections on the line,” she said.

“Everyone in that national squad will be trying to get a spot in the team so they will be giving their best - and more.”

Moffat goes into the nationals after claiming Hockey Queensland’s Female Indoor Hockey Player of the Year award for the second consecutive time.

“It was quite surprising because it really could have gone to anyone,” she said.

Jess Moffat has won Hockey Queensland's Female Indoor Hockey Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

“It was a bit of a shock... but I’m very thankful they’ve recognised me.”

Moffat has been a fixture in Queensland teams since she made her first in under-12.

A gifted outdoor hockey player too, she finds the indoor format more to her liking.

“It’s a more strategic game and I really enjoy that,” she said.

“I like the competitiveness and the speed. It’s a much faster game; the field is smaller, the ball runs quicker, there are less players and you have to think fast when you’re in certain situations.”

A talented outdoor player as well, Jess Moffat is focusing her attention on the indoor format.

Moffat believes that decision-making under pressure is the aspect of her game that has improved the most in the highly competitive south-east Queensland arena.

But clearly her all-round game continues to impress.

She represented the Australian under-21 team in America last year and represented Australia at the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in Oman this year, where she was named the team’s Player of the Tournament.

Moffat said donning the green and gold made everything she had worked for worth it.

Jess Moffat fast established a reputation as a gifted indoor hockey player.

That hard work is clearly paying dividends for the midfield talent, who started outdoor hockey at age four.

She remembers fondly those formative years in Rockhampton, and said she took every opportunity she could to get home, even playing a few games with her former club Frenchville this season.

“My family and friends, all the coaches I had… I always looked forward to going to hockey,” she said.

I really don’t think I would love the sport the way I do if I hadn’t started in Rocky.

“It played a very big role in where I am today.”