3 minute read
Emily Chalker, Jodie Kenny and Georgina Morgan will be unveiled as Hockeyroos co-captains just days before the start of the inaugural Pro League tournament.
The Hockeyroos have shaken up their leadership structure to a co-captaincy model in a bid to shake up their push towards the Tokyo Olympics.
Having been led by Emily Chalker since September 2017, the striker will be part of a three-person model unveiled by Hockey Australia on Monday.
Veteran defender Jodie Kenny and Georgina Morgan will co-lead the national women's team in the lead-up to the summer games next year.
The move comes two months after the current world No.3 were beaten in the Champions Trophy final by the top-ranked Netherlands.
Coach Paul Gaudoin's side also heartbreakingly lost a penalty shootout, again to the Dutch, at the semi-final stage of the World Cup last August.
"We always wanted to re-assess the leadership structure following the World Cup, so with our 2019 programme commencing earlier this month, now is an opportune time," Gaudoin said.
"We decided we needed to change the program leadership to align with where we're going as a group."
The changes also come just days before Australia kick off their inaugural Pro League tournament against Netherlands in Melbourne on Saturday.
They then take on world No. 13 Belgium on Sunday, before stops at Perth, Hobart and Sydney as part of the home leg of the six-month competition.
They will have to do it without star midfielder Steph Kershaw, who was last week ruled out for the year with an ACL injury.
Gaudoin said all three captains would complement each other in style.
"Jodie is a natural leader. She is a de-centralised athlete but whenever she's with the group in camp or tournaments she sets the standards," he said.
"Georgina is a great leader by example. She has shown resilience over the past 18 months through injuries and her drive and determination hasn't gone unnoticed.
"Emily is well respected by the playing group and has gained valuable experience over the past 18 months as the sole captain."
