Local hockey tyro Tori Adamson is paving her way to a national career after being selected in the 2025/26 Australian under-18 outfit.
In what is known as “The Futures Squad”, the youngster’s one of three Newcastle athletes competing in the team, alongside Luke Schmude and Jack Marshall.
The teenager was recently part of the gold medal-winning NSW side from the Australian Under-18 Women’s Championships in Perth in early July.
Six women and five men were selected from the state in the team, representing the next generation of potential Kookaburras and Hockeyroos.
Adamson said her selection came as a welcome surprise.
“To be honest, I had forgotten that we would find out,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“So, I was at work and mum sent me the email… and I saw it and I was shocked.
“However, it’s definitely something I aimed for.
“I wanted to make an Australian squad before I finished school, and I’ve only got nine weeks left.
“So, I got it just at the end which is good.”
Selected athletes will be part of a year-long program under the guidance of former Kookaburras captain Mark Knowles and ex-international assistant coach with the Hockeyroos, Hugh Purvis.
“I’ve been coached by Hugh once before in Canberra and he knew his stuff very well and taught us heaps,” Adamson explained.
“It’ll be very cool to learn from their experiences over a very long hockey career.”
The program is designed to elevate the players to the next stage of their development and provide a pathway into the U21, Development and senior national squads.
Adamson started her journey on the Central Coast.
After she was accepted to attend Hunter Sports High School, her family decided to make the move up to Newcastle to pursue her studies and sport.
Currently, Adamson plays for the Northern District Strikers team in Sydney and an under-21 side in Canberra, where she competes among some of the state’s best.
“I’ve really enjoyed it because you’re playing with the best people… and they come from Newcastle, the South Coast or Bathurst all to the Sydney comp,” she said.
“So, you’re playing with the best of the best really in NSW.”
Adamson admitted she’s aiming for the stars, with her sights set on a future with the Hockeyroos.
“With the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032, that’s definitely a goal,” she added.
“It would be amazing to play in front of a home crowd.”
- University of Newcastle journalism student Olivia Goeldner
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