Maddi Brooks set to make Hockeyroos debut on home soil

She’s the 18-year-old wonder kid about to realise her dream at next week’s FIH Pro-League Hockey tournament in Hobart but for Maddi Brooks, it’s a dream that was always destined to become a reality.

Maddi Brooks will go from Tigers Hockey One player to Australian Hockeyroo next week when she debuts for Australia. Picture: Chris Kidd.

The story of eighteen-year-old OHA star Maddison Brooks is one of a Tasmanian tyro turned Tasmanian hero as the days tick down to her fairytale international debut for the Hockeyroos against Argentina on Tuesday in Hobart.

Brooks’ mother Susan, herself a former Australian under 21 representative, effectively ended her National League career after falling pregnant with Maddi and her twin sister Taylor.

But there would be no slowing down of their exposure to the sport living in a sports-mad family, where hockey and its connected community of players, coaches and volunteers had always had them hooked.

“Maddi has always loved participating in all sports, particularly ball sports,” Susan said.

“She demonstrated her persistence when she was three and we were playing mini-golf on a family holiday to the Gold Coast, where I can recall she was so determined to put the ball in the hole – even if it did take 35 shots for one tricky hole!”

Proud mum Susan alongside her twin daughters Taylor (left) and Maddi (right) back in 2018. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Brooks’ older brother Josh, 22, last year won silver with the Australian under 21 Men’s team at the Sultan of Johor Cup, while Maddi competed in the Junior World Cup Qualifying Series against New Zealand.

With Taylor also part of the Australian Futures Squad, the next generation of the national squad, it meant there were many competitive hit outs in the backyard when the three siblings were growing up.

The girls have plied their trade at cricket, tennis, soccer, touch football, athletics and hockey, with Brooks famously scoring 140 not out from just 67 balls in a T20 cricket match for Clarence in as a sixteen-year-old.

Maddi Brooks is just as talented with the hockey stick as she is with the cricket bat, once scoring 140 not out in a T20 match for Clarence. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“There were plenty of competitive sessions out in the backyard – not to mention lots of arguments about who won,” Susan recalls.

“Hockey became the priority fairly recently due to her selection in Jillaroos (Australian under 21 side).”

Twin sisters Maddi and Taylor Brooks, then 14, have been as inseparable post-birth as they were before it Picture: Zak Simmonds

“She still has a passion for cricket but that’s definitely on hold for now - let’s just see what happens with the Hockeyroos opportunity.”

The family famously installed the old Devonport hockey surface in their backyard around ten years ago, enabling additional skill sessions during the Covid pandemic and even the odd beep test.

Maddi’s dedication and competitiveness has driven her to go beyond child prodigy that won three consecutive Player of the Tournament awards at under 15 level, to now being set to fulfil the tag of being ‘the next Eddie Ockenden’ when she takes the field in number 35 for Australia on Tuesday night.

Maddi Brooks was selected in a number of under age Australian teams throughout her teenage years. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Maddi is super determined but quietly goes about her business, while her and Taylor do pretty much everything together and are great mates.”

“Being twins has really helped them push each other while still having a great time.”

It’s her twin sister that says Tuesday will be a culmination in a long-held dream for Maddi to represent Australia.

Maddi Brooks will make her Hockeyroos debut on Tuesday night in her home state. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Maddi has always had a desire to reach the top level but I think Maddi always dreamt of playing for the Hockeyroos, as we have grown up amongst the sport,” Taylor reflects.

“We have both followed the games and results of the Hockeyroos for a long time, with Maddi particularly looking up to Rachel Lynch for her focus on culture and Brooke Peris as she also comes from a small state for her inspiration.”

“Unquestionably, in the men’s program, Maddi has always looked up to Eddie O, being a fellow Tasmanian but also his determination and leadership qualities.”

Eight years after Tasmania’s last Hockeyroos debutant, Brooks will start a new story as Australian Hockey Player number 514 with her hockey-mad family beaming with pride.

The Australian women face world-number two Argentina on Tuesday night from 5pm in the opening night of a six-day FIH Pro League ‘Mini-Tournament’ at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre.

Hockey has always been a major part of Maddi Brooks’ (no.8) life. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones.

The match will be followed by Tasmanian trio Ockenden, Josh Beltz and Jack Welch’s Kookaburras facing the same opposition from 7pm at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre.

The series also features USA women and Spain men and runs every night until Sunday March 5.

Tickets are available from Ticketek.com.au.