FIH Pro League: Tasmanian Maddi Brooks selected in Hockeyroos squad

One of Tasmania’s brightest hockey prospects is set to take on the world after earning her first call up to the Hockeyroos. Here are the key decisions which led to the moment.

Tassie Tigers hockey player Maddi Brooks. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmanian hockey star Maddi Brooks will fulfill a childhood dream after being selected to debut for one of Australia’s flagship sporting teams, the Hockeyroos, on home soil in the FIH Pro League later this month.

The 18-year-old OHA product will become Tasmania’s first national women’s representative since 2015 and will emulate Matthew Wells’ incredible Kookaburras debut at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre in front of 4,500 local fans back in 1998.

Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell yesterday announced her new national squad of 22 athletes, but has selected Brooks in drawing upon a squad of 27 for the Pro League matches against Argentina and USA.

“Maddi Brooks is an exciting junior and she more than deserves her opportunity. She’s a talented midfielder who likes to go forward and is an exciting prospect for the future,” Powell said.

Brooks was chosen as the youngest squad member for the matches in Hobart, with Abby Wilson also earning a call up.

Tassie Tigers hockey player Maddi Brooks. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I was pretty shocked about making the team for the Hobart Pro League, but I will be trying my hardest in front of the home crowd,” Brooks said.

“I think I’m going to be pretty nervous, but I can’t wait for the opportunity, and getting to debut in front of a home crowd is a dream come true and makes it even more special.”

Brooks has been training non-stop with the Victorian Institute of Sport, an opportunity set up by her Tasmanian coaching equivalent Tim Strapp.

“I have had a really intensive few months led by the TIS with a really tough fitness and conditioning program, and I want to thank them, especially Tim (Strapp) and also my club teammates for their support,” Brooks said.

“Most of the Tassie athletes had a bit of a break after Hockey One but I was straight into preparation for the Junior World Cup qualifying games against New Zealand and then the just concluded Hockeyroos selection camp.”

“For the month of January, I trained in Melbourne, which was hard being away from family but also really good preparation.”

The FIH Pro League features matches in Hobart features the Australian men and women facing Argentina, as well as USA women and Spain men from February 28 o March 5.

Originally published as FIH Pro League: Tasmanian Maddi Brooks selected in Hockeyroos squad