Home soil, history in the making and a Tasmanian surge in green and gold

The FIH Pro League arrives in Hobart with a distinctly Tasmanian flavour, as Australia’s national hockey teams prepare to take on the world on home soil at the Aurora Energy Tasmanian Hockey Centre.

For the Kookaburras, this Pro League block carries historic significance, with a record five Tasmanian players named in the squad — the most ever selected from the state at one time. It marks a major moment for Tasmanian hockey and highlights the strength of the pathway producing elite athletes capable of performing on the international stage.

Among the group are Magnus McCausland and Lachlan Rogers, who are both in line to make their Kookaburras debuts in front of family, friends and home fans. Should that opportunity arise, it would be a rare and special moment — pulling on the green and gold for the first time, in their home state, against the world’s best.

They are joined by fellow Tasmanians Hayden Beltz, Josh Beltz and Jack Welch, forming a powerful local contingent that underlines the importance of Hobart as more than just a host city — but a genuine contributor to Australian hockey’s present and future.

Adding further significance to the Australian men’s campaign are several major personal milestones. Jeremy Hayward enters the Hobart block on 245 international caps and is poised to reach the 250-game mark. Nathan Ephraums is also approaching a landmark, sitting on 92 caps and closing in on his 100th appearance for Australia.

On the women’s side, the Hockeyroos arrive in Hobart with their own milestone and debut storylines. Makayla Jones is in line to potentially make her Hockeyroos debut, adding another layer of excitement to the Australian campaign. Jones was interviewed alongside Grace Stewart, with both players speaking about the opportunity to play on home soil and the role the Pro League plays in accelerating development at international level.

Several Hockeyroos milestones are also set to feature prominently across the Hobart block. Grace Stewart, currently on 144 caps, is closing in on her 150th international appearance. Amy Lawton sits on 95 caps and is nearing the 100-cap milestone, while Tatum Stewart, on 44 caps, edges closer to her 50th for Australia.

International voices also add context to the scale of the event. Ireland women’s players Roisin Upton and Sarah Hawkshaw shared insight into the challenge of facing Australia on home soil, while the Pakistan men’s team spoke about the excitement of competing in Australia as part of the Pro League calendar. Ammad Shakeel Butt, captain of Pakistan, and vice-captain Abu Bakar Mahmood both highlighted the prestige of the competition, the atmosphere Australian crowds bring, and the opportunity the Pro League provides to test themselves against the world’s best.

With history potentially about to be made, debut opportunities on the line, and local heroes ready to take centre stage, the FIH Pro League in Hobart promises more than world-class hockey — it delivers a powerful homegrown story, written in green and gold.

FIH Pro League – Hobart is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.