NSW Pride unveil 2026 squads ahead of Hockey One campaign

NSW Pride has unveiled its 2026 Men’s and Women’s squads ahead of the upcoming ONE Active Hockey League season, with a strong mix of international experience, established Pride performers and emerging NSW talent set to pull on the jersey.

Both squads feature some of the biggest names in Australian hockey, with a significant contingent returning to NSW following recent international campaigns.

The NSW Pride Women will be headlined by Hockeyroos Alice Arnott, Jocelyn Bartram, Makayla Jones, Alana Kavanagh, Grace Stewart, Mariah Williams, and Abigail Wilson, who all represented Australia at the recent 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Hockeyroos finished fourth in the world following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Belgium in the bronze medal match, with Bartram one of the standout performers of the tournament. NSW Pride goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram was named Best Goalkeeper of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and has since been shortlisted for the 2026 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

Alongside the established international contingent, the squad will also provide an opportunity for the next generation of NSW talent. Kalahni Crews and Anneliese Cullen were selected in Hockey Australia’s 2026/27 Under-18 National Futures Squad, while Maddi Smith is part of the National Development Program.

Women’s Head Coach Scott Barker said the balance of experience and emerging talent had created plenty of excitement ahead of the new season.

"With the shared goal of winning Hockey One in 2026, I am delighted with the Pride squad. It offers a strong balance of youth and experience, with our Hockeyroos returning alongside the welcome return of Alice Arnott," Barker said.

"Our focus will be on building strong connections across the group, maintaining a healthy squad, and welcoming Jocelyn Bartram back in goal after injuries prevented her from playing last season.

"I have also been very impressed by the development of our young players, who are certainly putting their hands up for selection. Their growth and competitiveness will be an important part of the squad as we pursue success in the 2026 Hockey One campaign."

The NSW Pride Men will also feature significant international experience, with Tim Brand, Blake Govers and Ash Thomas returning from the Kookaburras’ 2026 World Cup campaign.

Australia finished fifth at the tournament, closing its campaign with a 2-0 victory over England in which Govers found the back of the net. Nathan Czinner and Dylan Downey were also named as non-travelling reserves for Australia’s World Cup squad after featuring within the Kookaburras program throughout 2026.

Former Kookaburra Kurt Lovett adds further experience to the squad after returning to NSW Pride in 2025, while the wider group brings together players from across the NSW pathway and club hockey system.

Men’s Head Coach Brent Livermore said he was excited by the potential of the group and the opportunity to build something throughout the campaign.

“There is a lot that excites me about this group. Coming back into the Hockey One environment with renewed energy and a fresh perspective, I am looking forward to building the habits, game understanding, and connection we need to compete at this level," Livermore said.

“We know it is going to be a tough campaign, but that is what makes it exciting. If we commit to the process, challenge each other and take ownership of how we want to play, I am really looking forward to seeing what this group can become.”

NSW Pride will begin its 2026 campaign away against the Melbourne Cobras on Sunday, 11 October, before returning to NSW for its first home match against the Brisbane Blaze at Newcastle International Hockey Centre on Friday, 16 October.

The Pride will then make its highly anticipated return to Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre for the first time since 2023, taking on the Perth Thundersticks on Saturday, 24 October, followed by Canberra Chill on Saturday, 7 November. The final home match of the regular season will see the Pride return to Newcastle to face the Tassie Tigers on Friday, 20 November.

Tickets and memberships for the 2026 NSW Pride season are on sale now via the Hockey NSW website - https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/performance/nsw-pride 

2026 NSW Pride Women

Players: Alice Arnott, Jocelyn Bartram, Eliza Berrick, Anneliese Cullen, Bella Croker, Emmalee Croker, Lola Dorman, Kalahni Crews, Chelsea Holmes, Chloe Holmes, Claudia Johnston, Grace Jones, Makayla Jones, Alana Kavanagh, Jenna-Rae McIntyre, Lily Neilson, Amalia Patterson, Lucinda Preeo, Laura Reid, Sarah Steinhardt, Maddi Smith, Grace Stewart, Kendelle Tait, Mariah Williams, Abigail Wilson

Head Coach: Scott Barker Assistant Coach: Tom Brown Team Manager: Katrina Cochrane

2026 NSW Pride Men

Players: Tim Brand, Angus Callinan, Lain Carr, Toby Collins, Nathan Czinner, Tom David, Miles Davis, Dylan Downey, Jared Findley, Blake Govers, Jack Hayes, Jett Leong, Kurt Lovett, Toby Mallon, Jack Marshall, Dylan Martin, Sam Mudford, Nathanael Stewart, Tim Schwieren, Ryan Simpson, Brayden Sutherland, Ash Thomas, Michael Taylor, Ryan Woolnough

Head Coach: Brent Livermore Assistant Coach: Robert Green Team Manager: David Willott