Seven Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) graduates represented Australia on hockey's world stage, with the Hockeyroos reaching the final four and the Kookaburras finishing fifth at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands.
Claire Colwill, Stephanie Kershaw, Morgan Mathison and Tatum Stewart represented the Hockeyroos, while Jayden Atkinson, Tim Howard and Joel Rintala pulled on the green and gold for the Kookaburras.
Hockeyroos fall just short of World Cup podium
The Hockeyroos came within one goal of a podium finish after a strong World Cup campaign, falling 1-0 to Belgium in a hard-fought bronze medal match.
Kershaw came close to giving Australia the lead in the opening quarter, breaking through the Belgian defence and finding herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper before her effort went narrowly wide.
Belgium found the breakthrough from its first penalty corner in the second quarter, taking a 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Australia continued to search for an equaliser after the break, creating opportunities and earning a penalty corner midway through the final quarter.
With four and a half minutes remaining, the Hockeyroos withdrew goalkeeper Joce Bartram and introduced an additional field player, throwing everything forward in pursuit of a goal.
Belgium’s defence held firm to secure the bronze medal, leaving Australia fourth after a campaign that took the Hockeyroos into the final four.
Kookaburras finish fifth with victory over England
QAS graduates Atkinson, Howard and Rintala helped the Kookaburras close their World Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating England 2-0 to secure fifth place.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Australia increased the pressure in the second, with Howard among those looking to capitalise from the Kookaburras’ penalty corner opportunities.
Blake Govers eventually broke the deadlock with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half, converting from a penalty corner to give Australia a 1-0 lead.
Following a second-half delay due to lightning, the Kookaburras maintained control before Ky Willott doubled the advantage in the final quarter, pouncing on a penalty corner rebound to make it 2-0.
England withdrew its goalkeeper late in search of a way back into the contest, but Australia’s defence stood firm to secure a clean sheet and finish the tournament with a victory.
