Four Tasmanians Selected In National Under 16 Squad
Published Wed 29 Apr 2026
Four Tasmanians have been selected in the National Under 16 Squads following the recent Under 16 National Championships in Hobart.
Hamish McGuire, Joey Bush and Ewan Podmore all earned selections in the National Under 16's Boys squad, and Lucy Meikle was selected in the National Under 16 Girls squad.
The quartet delivered outstanding performances for the state throughout the National Championships, catching the attention of national selectors.
Bush was an attacking dynamo, scoring 11 goals to claim the tournament’s top goalscorer award. His speed, skill and ability to beat defenders, combined with his clinical finishing, made for a truly dominant week of hockey.
Tasmanian captain Ewan Podmore was a rock in defence, producing composed and physical performances before injury brought a premature end to his tournament. His strong leadership was evident, and his impact in the games he did play was enough to earn selection.
Goalkeeper Hamish McGuire showcased superb shot-stopping ability, with lightning-fast reactions and athleticism repeatedly saving the Tasmanian side.
Lucy Meilke demonstrated her value at both ends of the pitch, leading the defence with a mix of toughness, well-timed tackles and powerful hitting. That power was particularly evident at penalty corners, where she finished as joint top goalscorer with five goals.
Hockey Tasmania Pathway and Development Officer, Nicole Wong said the selections were well deserved and highlighted the strength of Tasmania's elite athlete development.
“All four players delivered exceptional performances throughout the National Championships. Their selection into the National Squad is a thoroughly deserved recognition of both their individual talent and the hard work they have invested in their development.”
"This achievement further highlights Tasmania’s ongoing capacity to develop and produce athletes capable of progressing to national representation. It is a strong reflection of the quality, structure, and effectiveness of our player development pathways, particularly through the Tigers Hockey Academy. The Academy helps provide specialised training to help prepare our athletes with a strong focus on their technical and tactical skills development."
The players will go into a National training camp to be staged in October, and means they will be firmly in the National selectors' calculations for future higher honours.
