British and Kiwi internationals among locals named in inaugural team

The wait is over as the official Territory Stingers Women’s squad has been announced with locals galore and a sprinkling of international representatives. Find out who made the team here.

The Territory Stingers Women’s squad has officially been named with locals littered throughout the list.

With less than a month to go until the side takes to the turf in Malaysia, Hockey NT and the Stingers have put together a list of players that exudes youth with seniors sprinkled in.

Boasting five players under 18 and 11 under 21 years of age, the squad is bolstered by the inclusion of Perth Thundersticks’ Jemma and Elly Buckley, Black Stick Julia King and British international Sarah Jones.

Coach of the side, Michelle Caden, said she was excited for the journey ahead but was very much aware of some of the challenges her side might face.

Banks Hockey Club’s Amy Stripling is among the locals headed to Malaysia. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Commerce-Pint player Zita Varatharajan is headed to Malaysia for the MHL. Picture: Hockey NT.

”This team embodies the next chapter of Territory hockey,” she said.

“We’ve selected this young core because we believe in their potential and ability to perform with the right support.

“By surrounding them with experienced leaders we are confident we will create an environment where they can develop for the future.

“High-level competition is where they will learn the most.

“It’s about more than this season, it’s about building a sustainable, long-term future for our women.”

NZ international Julia King (right) is part of the Territory Stingers Women’s squad that will play in the MHL.

While the league officially got underway last weekend, the Stingers, men and women, will start their campaign early next month.

The team will fly to Kuala Lumpur on February 3 to begin their campaign which runs until February 23.

Excitingly, the group will face off against the Singapore national team in a warm-up match on the 5th before playing their first game on Saturday, February 8 against Mutiara-MSSPP-PSHA-PKS Uniten.

OFFICIAL SQUAD

Sophie Aranha (Banks), Sydney Auld (East Darwin), Holly Beath (Nightcliff Tigers), Jordan Bliss (GK) (Brisbane Blaze), Elly Buckley (West Side Wolves), Jemma Buckley (West Side Wolves), Shaykoda Carne (East Darwin), Niesha Casmiro (Commerce Pints), Tiana Crompton (Nightcliff Tigers), Ashleigh D’Souza (Commerce Pints), Macenzee Dixon (Commerce Pints), Estelle Hughes (NSW Pride), Julia King (NZ Black Sticks), Stacey Luck (Commerce Pints), Natalie Lynch (Waratah), Milly McLaurin (Banks), Maya Nunn (Banks), Samantha PangQuee (Nightcliff Tigers), Chloe Pendlebury (West Side Wolves), Destiny Peris (Nightcliff Tigers), Elle Richardson (Waratah), Amy Stripling (Banks), Sarah Jones (Great Britain), Isobel Cowell (East Darwin), Zita Varatharajan (Commerce Pints), Michelle Caden (Head Coach)