Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell’s challenge to Maddi Brooks

After she made her Olympic Games debut in Paris, Maddi Brooks has another challenge in front of her. Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell reveals what she wants to see from the Tassie starlet.

Tasmanian Maddi Brooks. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell has thrown down the challenge for Tasmanian Maddi Brooks to solidify a midfield position in 2025, after the national side’s youngest player impressed at the Paris Olympic Games.

Powell hopes to harness Brooks’ unique talents to balance the strengths of team’s midfield group, as the Hockeyroos chase direct World Cup qualification later this year.

“2025 is all about Maddi seeking to solidify a midfield position, because we need to remember that she burst onto the scene as a junior and she’s still our youngest player and technically still a junior athlete,” Powell said.

“That said, we have great faith in what she brings to the table and have an eye to the LA Olympic Games in 2028, so his year is about learning and developing as a midfielder to realise her potential.”

“One of Maddi’s great strengths is she takes feedback onboard and delivers on it quickly, and we want her to continue to develop a positive mindset and belief in her ability.”

After demonstrating some eye-catching traits already in her 36-game and 7-goal international career, that included her elevation at the Paris Olympics, Powell thinks Brooks also brings good balance to their engine room.

“Maddi complements our other midfielders well with her composure on the ball and her elite passing ability that creates scoring chances and can find a teammate in good space,” she said.

With eight new additions rejuvenating the Hockeyroos squad, Powell will be seeking to provide exposure to new athletes, whilst maintaining focus on earning qualification for the 2026 World Cup by winning September’s Oceania Cup in Darwin.

Brooks, 19, has been training hard with her partner in Tasmania ahead of next month’s FIH Pro League matches against China and Spain from February 5-9 in Sydney.

“I’ve been working on my fitness, with my partner James really into fitness, and he’s been challenging me to work really hard,” Brooks said.

“We have a training camp ahead of the Sydney matches and then we head to Argentina for more Pro League games.”

“After this I will be moving back to Perth for some intensive training with the Hockeyroos squad through to the Oceania Cup, with a trip to Europe in the middle, and I’ll be aiming to put in my best performances.”

“I may get an opportunity to play in a slightly more defensive role in midfield, and after having a year in the Hockeyroos program there are so many things I have learnt and will aim to put these into practice.”