2025 Oceania Cup event program

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We would like to acknowledge the the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways that we meet on today.

We pay our respects to the Elders of the past, present and emerging, and acknowledge their ongoing connection to land, sea and community. For they hold the memories, the traditions and the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

HOCKEY AUSTRALIA CEO

WELCOME FROM THE

NT GOVERNMENT

Welcome from the Minister for Major Events and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Marie-Clare Boothby

It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the MWT Hockey Centre for the 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin, Northern Territory.

This is a momentous occasion for our sport as international hockey returns to the Top End for the first time in eight years!

We are thrilled to see the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras back in action on home soil, reigniting one of the fiercest rivalries in world hockey as they take on New Zealand’s Black Sticks in a best-of-three series.

The Oceania Cup is more than just a tournament. It’s a celebration of international hockey legacy and cultural connection, and this year, it celebrates the proud hockey heritage of the Northern Territory.

From Alice Springs to Darwin, the NT has produced some of the sport’s finest athletes, legends like Nova Peris, Joel Carroll, Brooke Peris, Tom Wickham and Jeremy Hayward, who is nearing his 250th cap for Australia, as a hometown hero and Kookaburras’ leader in front of family and friends.

With a coveted place at the 2026 World Cup on the line for the Hockeyroos and the Kiwis, I know this series will have me pacing the concourse at the stadium as it promises world-class action.

Our sincere thanks go to the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Territory Major Events Company and Hockey NT for their passionate support and investment in making this event possible. Their commitment ensures that the hockey community here can experience the sport at its highest level, and that young Territorians can be inspired to play this great sport by seeing their heroes compete live.

To all the athletes, officials, volunteers, and fans, welcome. Whether you’re joining us in person at the MWT Hockey Centre or tuning in live on 7Plus, we hope you enjoy every moment of this spectacular series.

Let the rivalry resume, and may it be a showcase of everything that makes our sport great.

Welcome to Darwin and the Northern Territory!

The Finocchiaro CLP Government is thrilled to welcome athletes, officials, and fans to the Territory for the 2025 Oceania Cup, proudly supported by the NT Major Events Company.

We’re excited to host international hockey in the Top End for the first time in eight years during our government’s year of action, certainty and security, with the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras set to face New Zealand’s Black Sticks in a blockbuster six match series.

With World Cup qualification on the line for the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras reigniting one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries, the atmosphere at the MWT Hockey Centre will be electric.

The Oceania Cup builds on a proud history of welcoming international hockey to the NT, from the Hockeyroos’ tri-nations tournament in 2004 to the Kookaburras’ four-nation contest in 2008, and the last international series here in 2016. Both national teams also chose the Territory as their training base in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

This year’s tournament carries special significance for the NT, with Kookaburras Captain Jeremy Hayward making his homecoming on local turf alongside fellow Territory-born hockey legends Brooke Peris and Tom Wickham. Their achievements highlight the elite talent that continues to emerge from the Territory.

Sport has always been part of the Territory’s identity, driving opportunity, community spirit, and economic growth. Events like the Oceania Cup bring energy to our towns and cities, support local businesses, and showcase the NT as a top-tier destination for sport and tourism.

While you’re here, this is your chance to experience everything our unique Territory lifestyle has to offer. Wander through our vibrant markets, see our famous sunsets, cruise alongside jumping crocodiles, explore our spectacular parks and culture, dine out at our amazing hospitality venues – and so much more.

Good luck to all teams, and welcome to the Northern Territory.

David Pryles - CEO, Hockey Australia

2025 OCEANIA CUP PREVIEW

NT IN FOR A UNIQUE TREAT WITH

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND HOCKEY RIVALRY IN TOWN

Few rivalries in world sport carry the weight, respect and intensity of Australia versus New Zealand on the hockey turf. The two nations have spent more than a century pushing each other to the limit — fierce competitors on the field, yet bound by deep ANZAC ties off it.

The Oceania Cup is live and free on 7plus. Tickets are available from Ticketek - kids 12 and under get in free. The first 150 people through the gates will receive a free goodie bag thanks to Hockey Australia partners.

Under the glare of the Olympic spotlight in Montreal, 1976 — a collision of will, pride, and destiny would etch itself into the DNA of both nations. New Zealand’s victory that day was their first and only Olympic hockey gold, a triumph that stung Australia deeply and lit a flame that has burned ever since.

From that moment, every trans-Tasman hockey encounter has carried the weight of history. The decades have brought new players, new coaches, and new eras, but the undercurrent remains the same — a fierce, unrelenting rivalry where every tackle, every goal, and every whistle adds another brushstroke to a story still being written, shaping the battles, the heroes, and the legacies yet to come.

In recent years, that story has been enriched by the Hockeyroos’ own high stakes duels with the Black Sticks Women — from the nerve shredding 2010 Commonwealth Games final shootout to the 2022 Trans Tasman Series and the 2023 Oceania Cup in Whangārei, where Australia’s women sealed their Olympic ticket with a decisive series win on New Zealand soil.

The Oceania Cup stands as the modern battleground for this enduring contest and Darwin will host the next chapter — a clash not just for titles and qualification, but for the right to shape the next page in a hockey story that has never lost its edge.

Leading the charge again is local hero Jeremy Hayward, co captain and a 2023 FIH Player of the Year short listed athlete, in his long awaited Darwin homecoming.

“Matches against New Zealand are always tough and fiercely contested, and fans can expect fast, aggressive, attacking hockey from Australia,” Hayward said.

“With Horry (coach Mark Hager) leading us, we’ll bring energy and aim to grind teams down with relentless attack, so it’ll be a great spectacle for the Darwin community.”

“Darwin is home. It’s where I grew up and where my people are, so coming back to where it all began to live out my dream is incredibly special.”

- JEREMY HAYWARD

KOOKABURRAS: A HOCKEY RECORD TO CONTINUE

The Kookaburras (currently fifth on the FIH world rankings) are already qualified for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and arrive in Darwin at full strength — a rarity in the modern international hockey calendar. They have a clear mission: sharpen their edge, climb the FIH world hockey rankings and deliver a statement ahead of next year’s World Cup.

They welcome back four key players from injury, including Brisbane Blaze pairing Corey Weyer and Lachlan Sharp, who both return for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympic hockey tournament.

They’ll also be defending an extraordinary record — undefeated in the Oceania Cup men’s hockey series since its inception in 1999 — and building on their 2023 triumph in Whangārei, where they won the series 2–1 to seal Olympic qualification. That campaign included a decisive 3–1 victory in the final match, with Hayward among the scorers.

Local hero, Hayward, a 2023 FIH Player of the Year shortlisted athlete, will lead the side in his long-awaited Darwin homecoming, alongside fellow newly inked co-captains Josh Beltz and Tim Howard, marking a new era for the Kookas.

HOCKEYROOS: QUALIFICATION AND REDEMPTION

For the Hockeyroos (also currently fifth on the FIH world rankings), the Oceania Cup doubles as the first step in their 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup qualification journey and they too arrive at full strength. Head Coach Katrina Powell has named her most powerful 18-player squad, blending experience with returning firepower.

NSW Pride’s Abby Wilson returns to the line-up after a sixmonth injury layoff, while reigning Hockey One League champion Courtney Schonell (Perth Thundersticks), the equal Roos’ top goal scorer of the year, is set for her first Oceania Cup since scoring the 2023 decider’s match-winner in New Zealand. Schonell’s comeback also follows a year-long recovery from an ACL injury that ruled her out of Paris 2024.

With FIH world hockey ranking points on the line and the World Cup less than a year away, the Hockeyroos know this is more than just a trans-Tasman battle — it’s a chance to set the tone for 2026.

The Rivals: New Zealand Vantage Black Sticks Men & Women

The Black Sticks Men (currently 10th on the FIH world rankings) arrive highly motivated, chasing a rare series win over the Kookaburras on Australian soil. Several squad members will be familiar to local fans through the 2025 Hockey One League, including Scott Boyde (Brisbane Blaze), whose consistency and scoring finesse have lit up the domestic hockey competition.

The Black Sticks Women (also currently 10th on the FIH world rankings), fresh from a competitive USA hockey tour, are also bolstered by Hockey One talent, with Olivia Shannon (Canberra Chill), Hannah Cotter (HC Melbourne), Britt Wang (Adelaide Fire) and Anna Crowley (Canberra Chill) bringing attacking flair that’s been honed in Australia’s top domestic league.

ABOUT THE OCEANIA CUP

The Oceania Cup is an international women’s and men’s hockey competition organised by the Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF). The event alternates between Australia and New Zealand as hosts and acts as a qualification event for the FIH Hockey World Cup and Summer Olympics.

The last Oceania Cup in 2023 took place in New Zealand. It was won by both the women’s and men’s Australian teams, the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras consecutively, which automatically qualified them for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Kookaburras have already qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup after winning the FIH Pro League 2023/2024 season. The event will provide a thrilling spectacle for event-goers as any international sporting match between Australia and New Zealand does. This year’s event in Darwin also provides a unique chance for hockey fans and aspiring hockey participants in the NT to witness world-class hockey.

Hockey Australia has had a long-standing relationship with the NT Government, which has involved NT playing host to several international Hockeyroos and Kookaburras events. The last international series was played in the NT in April 2016. Prior to that, the Hockeyroos played in Darwin in June 2004 in a tri-nations tournament with New Zealand and Japan. The Kookaburras played in Darwin in May 2008 as part of a four-nation tournament with China, Korea and India. Both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras have a history of talent hailing from the NT, including Brooke Peris and Jeremy Hayward.

Live the Rivalry

HOCKEYROOS V BLACK STICKS WOMEN

The Last Time They Met 2023 Oceania Cup, Whangārei, New Zealand

Match One – 10 August 2023

Australia 3 – 0 New Zealand

Claire Colwill 30

Rosie Malone 34’

Brooke Peris 34’

Match Two – 12 August 2023

Australia 1 – 1 New Zealand

Rosie Malone 51’ Hannah Cotter 37’

Match Three – 13 August 2023

Australia 3 – 2 New Zealand

Brooke Peris 21’ Tarryn Davey 4’

Grace Stewart 23’ Hope Ralph 37’

Courtney Schonell 32’

Oceania Cup All-Time Statistics

Hockeyroos – Played 38 matches, won 26, drawn 7 and lost 5

Black Sticks Women – Played 38 matches, won 12, drawn 7 and lost 9

KOOKABURRAS V BLACK STICKS MEN

The Last Time They Met 2024 Olympic Games, Paris, France

1 August 2024

Australia 5 – 0 New Zealand

Tom Wickham 22’

Blake Govers 25’, 51’ & 57’

Ky Willott 42’

Oceania Cup All-Time Statistics

Kookaburras – Played 38 matches, won 32, drawn 3 and lost 3

Black Sticks Men – Played 38 matches, won 11, drawn 3 and lost 24

OCEANIA CUP 2025 SCHEDULE

all times in local Darwin (ACST) time

THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

6:00pm ACST Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

8:00pm ACST Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

2:00pm ACST Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

4:00pm ACST Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

2:00pm ACST Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

4:00pm ACST Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Gates open one hour before the first match on each day.

Watch the Oceania Cup LIVE and FREE on 7Plus for Australian audiences, TVNZ+ for NZ audiences, Free TV Australia for Pacific Island audiences and watch.hockey for all other audiences globally.

OCEANIA CUP 2025 VENUE INFORMATION

MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara Darwin

Shirley Strickland Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127

The artwork depicts the female Australian hockey team, the Hockeyroos with the top circle on the left. The circle on the right represents male Australian hockey team the Kookaburras. The symbols around the circles represent the females and males with the straight lines between being hockey sticks.

The smaller circles below symbolise the clubs and junior players, with the pathway artwork, depicted by song lines, show the journey from grassroots to the Australian teams.

The pathway connection at the bottom shows the final journey into Hockey Australia, with Nova Peris contributing the artwork of the kookaburra in the centre for the Kookaburras and the kanagroo with a joey in the centre of the Hockeyroos shirt.

The hills at the bottom are the Darling Ranges, located east of Perth, Western Australia.

The Darling Range in Whadjuk Boodja is known to be the Waagyl (Rainbow Serpent) which is said to be the creator of Perth and lays dormant watching silently over the Whadjuk people.

KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE IS EVERYONE’S

RESPONSIBILITY

If you have seen, heard or experienced poor behaviour in your sport towards children or young people, report it to Sport Integrity Australia.

Sport Integrity Australia can independently investigate child safety issues.

REPORT NOW

For more information phone our Safe Sport Hotline at 1800 161 361, enquire at 1300 027 232 or visit sportintegrity.gov.au

If a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 000

A TERRITORY HERO HOMECOMING:

Jeremy Hayward leads Kookaburras charge at Darwin’s Oceania Cup

In the blink of an eye, Jeremy Hayward’s career accelerated from the back hockey fields of Darwin to the biggest stage of all, the Olympic Games.

Born and raised in the Northern Territory, the three-time Olympian and newly named Kookaburras co-captain has carved out a remarkable international hockey career, establishing himself as one of the Kookaburras’ most consistent and commanding figures, as he eyes 250 international appearances for Australia.

And with the Oceania Cup returning to the Top End this August, locals have a rare opportunity to see Australia’s men’s and women’s national teams, and one of their own, battle for regional dominance on home soil. For Hayward, it’s more than just another international fixture. It’s a homecoming.

“Home events in Darwin are few and far between, so to be returning home for the Oceania Cup is just something I would never miss,” Hayward said.

“Across the ditch, New Zealand and Australia are rivals, of course, but we’re ANZAC mates too”.

“I’ve probably played a quarter of my career against New Zealand. We face off often, and it’s always a tough contest; it’s highly skilled and hard-fought. This time, with the heat in Darwin, it’ll be a different kind of challenge, a fast and furious one we’ll need to be ready for.”

Ahead of the last Oceania Cup in 2023, Jeremy was nominated for the sport’s highest honour, FIH Player of the Year, after a strong showing at the FIH World Cup just months earlier, where he was named Best Defender and the leading scorer, as he helped Australia qualify for the Paris Olympics.

An Olympic and World Cup silver medallist, Jeremy has earned a reputation as one of world hockey’s most feared penalty corner specialists and a calm, reliable presence in the Kookaburras’ backline. His ability to turn defence into attack and to find the back of the net with power and precision has made him indispensable in the green and gold.

But Hayward’s story is also one of Territory pride. He’s passionate about giving back to the region that shaped him, often returning to run clinics or connect with the next generation of local players.

His journey from Darwin to the Olympic Games stands as a powerful reminder of the Northern Territory’s ability to produce world-class talent.

“Hockey NT is working incredibly hard to continue to develop our pathways for our juniors in the Territory,” Jeremy added.

“So having us and the Hockeyroos playing in Darwin, showcasing toplevel hockey, will hopefully be an added motivation to all of these juniors coming through, that they’re able to reach their goals. Being able to go home and showcase this is something I’m super proud to do.”

With the Oceania Cup doubling as a key stepping stone to the 2026 World Cup, the competition promises to be fierce. The trans-Tasman rivalry always brings fire, and with a full-strength Australian team expected to line up, there’s never been a better time for NT sports fans to show their colours.

PLAYER PROFILES

KOOKABURRAS

PLAYER PROFILES

Jed Snowden

Goalkeeper

Kookaburra #451

Hometown: Melbourne, VIC

Junior Hockey Club: Essendon Hockey

Test Debut: 5 February 2025 v Spain in Sydney

Test Appearances & goals: 14

KOOKABURRAS

PLAYER PROFILES

KOOKABURRAS

PLAYER PROFILES

KOOKABURRAS

PLAYER PROFILES

Q&A:

HOCKEYROO CLAIRE COLWILL ON PRESSURE MOMENTS, MENTAL PREP AND THE ROAD TO WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

With the 2025 Oceania Cup doubling as a 2026 FIH World Cup qualifier, the Hockeyroos face one of their biggest tests. Claire Colwill sat down with us to offer her insight into pressure games, mental preparation, and how to make these big moments count.

Q: It’s been two years since the Hockeyroos last faced a best-ofthree Test Series. That time, the Paris Olympic Games were on the line; now it’s the 2026 FIH World Cup. What do moments like these mean for an athlete?

C: It truly gives you excitement to start with. We see this as the beginning of our World Cup preparation. To me personally, it is the first step, the first opportunity in our new cycle, to showcase our potential to achieve World Cup greatness.

Q: Does it feel different out there when you know there’s something big on the line?

C: These moments to be able to step on the international stage for Australia aren’t as common as they are for the European teams, for example. Any high-performance athlete at this level is in it to win it, and we are continually on the pursuit for perfection. When these occasions arise, you make the most of the opportunity, you grab it with both hands and put your best self forward – this is what you what it takes to be world class.

It certainly feels different being at a higher-stakes competition. Exposed to both internal and external pressures, and scrutinised for your performance, it’s the reality of being an elite athlete. But this is what we train for. These thoughts are constantly in the back of your mind every day, every week, and as the time gets closer, it becomes more prevalent. Though, it’s about accepting these thoughts and placing your attention on what you can control under these pressured moments.

Q: Part of that training has become the mental game, off the pitch. How have the Hockeyroos worked on that space as a group?

C: We’ve become more aware of our emotions and how they affect us physically on the field. Whilst I won’t give away all our secrets! We’ve learnt to reflect on what’s helpful and what’s unhelpful for us mentally, and we’ve worked out specific tools which allow us to bring our attention (focus) back to the present moment. We understand now that our focus can only remain on one thing. Taking deliberate and intentional training in this space has taken the Hockeyroos to a new level in high performance.

Q: Do those skills come to the fore in flash moments of decision-making on the field, or is it more at the quarter-time breaks?

C: It’s throughout the whole 60 minutes. It’s easier to take control in those larger gaps, like the quarter-time break, but in-game, when there’s a call that hasn’t gone your way or a mistake happens, it’s harder to control your emotions in that moment and that’s exactly what we’ve been working on.

Recently, in our practice matches against the Australian development squad, we reflected on our performance and how well did approach the matches. We will certainly be taking these critical reflections into the Oceania Cup.

Q: What do you think drives those emotions in the first place?

C: It’s who we are as humans. It’s innate to look for danger and to get distracted. Trying to stayed focus on just one controllable thing is quite challenging, especially with opposition, umpire calls, or expectations in the mix. It’s important to take th time to develop this skill just as much as physical training is.

Q: Fans may see the Hockeyroos taking a moment to breathe and reset before the game. This is a technique that’s been embraced in individual sports for a while but we’re seeing more team sports use it as a tool. Why do you think this tactic has become more prevalent?

C: I think it’s just becoming more aware through the media that science does work. It makes sense if you think about it; it’s as simple as lowering your heart rate through breathing, which allows you to concentrate more and perform better. Science is becoming more understood from both the athlete’s point of view and the High Performance staff throughout elite sport.

Q: What about for you personally, would you say you’ve always had a strong mental game in your career, or is it something you’ve strengthened over time?

C: I think I’ve always been good in this space, but I’ve certainly become more curious about why people are the way they are and how I am as a person. Our mental skills coaches, Emma Murray and David Astbury, have helped me identify who I am and why I am the way I am. From an athlete’s perspective, it’s been my responsibility to understand that, and it’s working.

Q: Heading into this World Cup Qualifier, how would you sum up the feeling in the group right now?

C: There’s so much excitement, and there’s a real eagerness to prove to ourselves and to Australia how hard we’ve been working, physically and mentally. Ultimately, it’s about proving to ourselves and to each other that we are capable and that we are world class.

HOCKEYROOS

PLAYER PROFILES

HOCKEYROOS

PLAYER PROFILES

HOCKEYROOS

PLAYER PROFILES

HOCKEYROOS

PLAYER PROFILES

HOCKEYROOS

PLAYER PROFILES

Mariah Williams

Striker

Hockeyroo #467

Hometown: Parkes, NSW

Junior Hockey Club: Newcastle Souths, Parkes Rovers

Test Debut: 24 April 2013 v Korea in Perth

Test Appearances & goals: 151 (25)

NZ BLACK STICKS TEAM LISTS’

MENS WOMENS

BENJI CULHANE

BRAD READ

BRADLEY ROTHWELL

CHARLIE MORRISON

DANE LETT

DOM DIXON

DYLAN THOMAS

GEORGE BAKER

FINN WARD

ISAAC HOULBROOKE

JOE MORRISON

MALACHI BUSCHL

MATTHEW RUETSCH

PATRICK WARD

SAM HIHA

SAM LANE

SCOTT BOYDE

SEAN FINDLAY

SIMON YORSTON

ANNA CROWLEY

BRITT WANG

CASEY CROWLEY

ELLA HYATT-BROWN

EMMA FINDLAY

EMMA RAINEY

GRACE O’HANLON

HANNAH COTTER

HANNAH GRAVENALL

HOLLY PEARSON

HOPE RALPH

JESSIE ANDERSON

JOSEPHINE MURRAY

JULIA GLUYAS

KAITLIN COTTER

OLIVIA SHANNON

RIANA PHO

TESSA JOPP

TESSA REID

Mindil Markets

Jez’srecommendations

NT hometown hero and Kookaburras’ legend Jeremy Hayward gives us his take on the best spots to explore in and around Darwin while you’re in town.

Litchfield National Park

If you have a bit of time on your hands while you’re in town to watch the hockey, I highly recommend you head out of town to Litchfield National Park. A favourite with us locals, it’s just one and a half hours out of Darwin, and you can cool off at Florence Falls or Buley Rockhole. Immerse yourself in that natural fresh water and get amongst the wildlife, it’s a great experience.

One of my favourite things to do in Darwin is to go to the markets. I really enjoy hitting up either Mindal Beach on a Thursday and Sunday night, or sometimes I’ll hit up the day markets as well.

Parap Village Market, Nightcliff Markets, Rapid Creek Markets, they’re all fantastic. They’re a great experience with plenty of Asian influence, which is something I really enjoy. So make sure you get down there and have a go.

You’re in luck! The Mindil Beach Sunset Market takes place from May to October on Thursdays from 5pm to 10pm and Sundays from 4pm to 9pm.

The Famous Darwin Sunset

Once you’ve hit up a local market, you could experience my second hot tip: Watching the sunset on a beautiful NT evening.

There’s nothing better than grabbing some food and drink, sitting down with your loved ones and watching the sun go down from the Nicaragua foreshore, from Cullen Bay, Middle Beach or even on a boat in the harbour. Great spots, great sunset, and some of the best in Australia, so enjoy that one!