Amy Lawton, 17, called up for international hockey debut as Australia names FIH Pro League squads

Teenage hockey sensation Amy Lawton says she was just hoping to get an invite to Hockeyroos’ training when the phone rang and she was told she would be Australia’s newest international.

Teen hockey sensation Amy Lawton says she was just hoping to get an invite to Hockeyroos’ training when she received news of her international call up.

During a short training stint with the national squad in Perth earlier this year, the 17-year-old impressed coach Paul Gaudoin enough for him to pick her for the FIH Pro League tilts in New Zealand, Argentina and the USA.

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It’s a dream come true for the Haileybury college student, who plays as a midfielder.

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Amy Lawton in action. Picture: Click In Focus

“Playing a game for the Hockeyroos wasn’t something I thought was ever going to happen this early for me,” Lawton told the Herald Sun from New Zealand, where she is preparing for the Anzac Day clash with the Black Sticks.

“At the time, I was trying to organise with my VIS coach if I was going to potentially be … invited to train with the Hockeyroos (again) in May.

Congratulations Amy Lawton on your selection to play in the FIH pro league game on Anzac Day. We will all be watching and cheering pic.twitter.com/2jdfgYOBTl

— Southern United HC (@SUHC_Hockey) April 22, 2019

“I was talking to her and I was like ‘Oh, do you think I’ll be going to that because I need to let school know obviously with SACS (school work) and whatever that might be going on at the time.

“I just wanted to train with them. It was unexpected, but super exciting (to get the call up).”

Lawton said she had been welcomed with open arms by her more seasoned teammates and her selection had given her confidence in her abilities.

Gaudoin said with the likes of Mariah Williams, Renee Taylor, Karri McMahon and Stephanie Kershaw unavailable, Lawton deserved her chance.

Melbourne teenager Amy Lawton is Australia’s newest Hockeyroo. Picture: Supplied/Hockey Australia

He said Lawton “is a young girl at 17 but is an excellent player already.”

“She … played extremely well for the Australian U21 team in New Zealand previously. She’s been on the radar for quite a while. We look forward to seeing how she progresses,” Gaudoin said.

Lawton played her junior hockey in Melbourne, with Casey and then Southern United hockey clubs.

She will be joined in the squad by defender Kate Jenner (her first cap since 2015) and Mikaela Spano, who debuted in the Hockeyroos’ last round of FIH Pro League matches.

The world No.3 Hockeyroos, who currently sit fourth on the women’s FIH Pro League standings, have selected a 21-member team for the Pacific leg.

Let’s hope we see plenty of this from the Hockeyroos during the FIH Pro League. Picture: Getty Images for FIH

The Kookaburras will be without co-captain Eddie Ockenden and defender Matthew Swann, who are unavailable due to personal reasons.

Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said their absences provided others with an opportunity.

Both sides face Argentina next in Buenos Aires on Saturday, May 4, before the Kookaburras head home with the Hockeyroos travelling on to Pennsylvania to take on USA on Friday, May 10.

***All matches will live on Kayo Sports and Fox Sports 506.

ANZAC DAY FIXTURE

Thursday 25 April 2019 — North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland

New Zealand v Hockeyroos — 12.30pm AEST

New Zealand v Kookaburras — 2.30pm AEST

Kaitlin Nobbs will continue to play a big role for the Aussies. Picture: Daniel Carson/dcimages.org

HOCKEYROOS

21-member team

Kristina Bates (VIC)

Edwina Bone (NSW)

Lily Brazel (NSW)

Emily Chalker (NSW)

Jane Claxton (SA)

Kalindi Commerford (NSW)

Madison Fitzpatrick (NSW)

Savannah Fitzpatrick (NSW)

Kate Jenner (NSW)

Jodie Kenny (QLD)

Amy Lawton (VIC)

Rachael Lynch (VIC)

Ambrosia Malone (QLD)

Georgina Morgan (NSW)

Kaitlin Nobbs (NSW)

Brooke Peris (NT)

Michaela Spano (SA)

Grace Stewart (NSW)

Sophie Taylor (VIC)

Ashlee Wells (VIC)

Georgia Wilson (WA)

Daniel Beale celebrates a goal during the FIH Pro League match against New Zealand last month. Picture: Getty Images

KOOKABURRAS

18-member team

Jacob Anderson (QLD)

Daniel Beale (QLD)

Joshua Beltz (TAS)

Andrew Charter (ACT)

Tom Craig (NSW)

Matthew Dawson (NSW)

Blake Govers (NSW)

Jake Harvie (WA)

Jeremy Hayward (NT)

Tim Howard (QLD)

Tyler Lovell (WA)

Trent Mitton (WA)

Flynn Ogilvie (NSW)

Lachlan Sharp (NSW)

Josh Simmonds (VIC)

Jacob Whetton (QLD)

Dylan Wotherspoon (NSW)

Aran Zalewski (WA)

Originally published as Amy Lawton, 17, called up for international hockey debut as Australia names FIH Pro League squads