HOCKEY Australia (HA) has confirmed the Hockeyroos, featuring Gerirngong’s Grace Stewart and Mollymook’s Kalindi Commerford, will next month compete in the Four Nations Women's Ibaraki International Tournament in Japan.
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Third-ranked Australia will come up against Argentina (fourth), United States (12th) and hosts Japan (14th) in the event which runs from September 12-16 at the OIC Field at the Ritsumeikan University Osaka Ibaraki Campus.
The Four Nations comes shortly following the Hockeyroos’ fourth-place finish at the 2018 Women’s World Cup in London, which saw the side rise up two spots to third in the FIH Hero World Rankings.
The event will also give the side a taste of Japanese conditions with less than two years until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“The Four Nations Tournament is part of Hockey Australia’s agreement with the Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture which will also see the Kookaburras visit Japan next year ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” HA high performance director Toni Cumpston said.
“Following the Hockeyroos’ fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup our focus for the women’s programme is on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Four Nations Tournament is an important step towards that.
“It is an opportunity to acclimatise to Japan and expose our athletes to the conditions we’ll face in Tokyo.
“We’re thankful and appreciative of the Ibaraki City and Japan Hockey Association’s support and we’re looking forward to developing the relationship as we build up towards Tokyo.”
While in Japan, the Hockeyroos will play Japan (September 12), Argentina (September 13) and US (September) before the finals play-offs on September 16.
The Hockeyroos team to play at the Four Nations will be announced on Monday, August 27.
