By Lachlan Mitchell
Emerald’s Amy Lawton is ready wear the green and gold of her country with pride after being selected for the Hockeyroos for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
While this is Lawton’s Commonwealth Games debut, she is certainly no stranger to the big stage after being selected for the Hockeyroos for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The Hockeyroos squad is blessed with a great mix of experienced international stars and rising talent and will seek to reclaim Commonwealth Games gold next month in Birmingham.
Long considered one of Australia’s most consistent teams, the Hockeyroos have claimed the gold medal in four of the six Commonwealth Games since the sport debuted in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
Denied a hat-trick of wins in the final on the Gold Coast four years ago, the Hockeyroos are determined to go one better this time around.
Selectors believe a youthful squad, featuring 12 Commonwealth Games debutantes, is capable of challenging for the gold medal.
Australian Team Chef de Mission, Petria Thomas, is excited by the Hockeyroos squad, who will be coached by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Katrina Powell for the first time.
“Congratulations to the 18 Hockeyroos who have been selected for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Thomas said.
“Hockey Australia and the Hockeyroos coaches have selected an exciting group of players to represent the green and gold against the Commonwealth’s best.
“The Hockeyroos have enjoyed a wonderful legacy at the Commonwealth Games, led in the past by champions like current coach Trinny Powell, and I know this group will add their own chapter to that incredible history… I wish them all the best in Birmingham.”
Lawton has had her eye on the Commonwealth Games ever since the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics.
“It obviously wasn’t the result the Hockeyroos were looking for, not getting a medal, but it does light a fire in your belly for the next big occasion with the Commonwealth Games and the Hockey World Cup around the same time,” she told the Gazette in March.
The Hockeyroos kick off their campaign against Kenya on Saturday 30 July, with a view to making the final on Sunday 7 August.
