Tassie's Hockey Australia Futures

HOCKEY AUSTRALIA FUTURES SQUAD

Tasmania continues to make its mark on the national hockey stage, with three local athletes earning selection in the prestigious Hockey Australia Under-18 National Futures Program.

The Futures Program identifies and develops the best young hockey talent from across the country, with a focus on preparing athletes for future international representation and the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Players involved are considered among the most promising prospects in Australia and gain access to high-level training camps, online education and invaluable mentorship from current Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.

Sophie Kruimink

Sophie Kruimink has been immersed in hockey from a young age, picking up a stick at just five years old and never looking back. From her early days on the turf, the sport has been a constant in her life, shaping her skills, resilience and love for the game. 

As her star has risen, Sophie has carved out an impressive record of achievements. In 2023, she earned selection in the Australian Under-16 team and her progress continued when she was named to the Australian Under-18 Futures Squad in both 2024 and 2025.

One moment that stands out above the rest was the 2024 Premier League Grand Final, where Sophie celebrated victory with the Diamondbacks. “Winning the Premier League grand final with my teammates was a highlight I’ll never forget,” Sophie said. As she looks to the future, Sophie is eager to continue building on her successes. 

Being part of national programs has provided invaluable experience and motivation and she hopes to keep developing her game to push toward higher levels of competition. “I’ve played hockey for as long as I can remember and it’s still one of the things I love most,” Sophie said. “The people, the competition and the opportunities are what make it so special.”

Angus McMullen

For as long as he can remember, hockey has been part of Angus McMullen’s life. “I basically grew up on the sideline and By the time I was four, I was out there playing,” Angus said. At just eight years old, Angus was already immersed in the game, helping as waterboy and ball collector for the North West Graduates Hockey Club’s Premier League Men’s team, where his dad was coaching. “I started with the simple jobs, collecting balls, helping out with goalkeeper warm-ups, but I loved every moment of it,” Angus said. “Eventually, I was able to step onto the field as part of the squad myself.”

Angus’s love of the game has taken him across the country. He played his first national carnival at 10, and since then has represented Tasmania at 10 national championships across seven states and territories. Along the way, he’s collected multiple national medals, including silver in the Under 15s in Bathurst (2021), bronze in the Under 16s in Hobart (2022) and bronze in Perth at the 2025 tournament. “Playing for Tasmania has been such a privilege,” Angus said. “One of my proudest moments was winning Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Under 16 Australian National Championships in Hobart, especially with my family and friends there to watch.”

His development has been recognised nationally and in both 2024 and 2025, Angus earned selection in the Hockey Australia Under 18 Futures Squad. “That’s been a big step forward for me, being part of the Futures Squad shows me what’s possible if I keep working hard,” Angus said. “I’ve also a full scholarship holder at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS), where the support has been invaluable.”

At home, Angus debuted in senior hockey at just 14 and went on to make his Premier League debut in 2023, which ended with a premiership win. “To win a premiership so early in my Premier League career was incredible and doing it with my club made it even better,” Angus said. “My dream is to play for the Kookaburras. The Burras are the next step on the pathway, and I want to push myself as far as I can.”

William Dixon

William Dixon’s hockey journey began at just four years old, but it wasn’t until he was 10 that he found his true calling between the posts as a goalkeeper. “I first started playing hockey at four years old for my school but didn’t start keeping until I was 10,” William said.  “It’s been my position ever since, and I love the challenge of it.”

By 11, William was already representing Smithton in club hockey, playing two seasons in the Under 13s before stepping up to Under 17s. His rapid rise saw him make his senior debut at just 13, followed by his first Greater Northern League (GNL) appearance at 15. “Playing my first senior game at 13 was pretty special, but stepping into GNL at 15 was a whole new level,” he said. “It pushed me to be sharper, more consistent and really commit to improving my game.”

William’s state-level experience began in 2022 when he was selected for the Under 15s team. That tournament in Newcastle proved unforgettable as he was named his team’s Most Valuable Player. “Winning MVP in Newcastle was a huge confidence boost. It showed me that I could match it with some of the best juniors in the country,” William said.

This year marked his second time representing Tasmania in the Under 18s, and for the first time, he came home with a medal. “It was my first time winning a medal at under-18s, and it felt incredible to finally be competitive against the top sides,” William said. Now part of the Hockey Australia Futures program, William says he is determined to keep progressing through the ranks. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity Futures is going to give me to learn and grow my game,” he said. “Hopefully I can step up into 21s next year and keep pushing toward higher honours.”

Congratulations to Sophie, Angus and William. Everyone in the Tasmanian Hockey community is excited to see your careers flourish on the national stage and beyond.