A St Rita’s College student has earned national recognition after being selected in the Australian Under-18 hockey squad following this month’s Hockey Australia Under-18 Championships in Darwin.
Elke C. secured her place in the national squad after representing Queensland at the championships, one of Australia’s premier junior hockey tournaments and a key stepping stone for emerging players aiming for future national honours.
The 2026 Hockey Australia Under-18 Championships were held at Darwin’s MWT Hockey Centre from 3 to 11 July, bringing together the country’s top young players. The annual tournament serves as a major talent identification event for Hockey Australia’s high-performance pathway.
Queensland’s teams were selected earlier this year following the state championships, with athletes competing for both team success and the opportunity to impress national selectors.
Selection in the Australian Under-18 squad places Elke among Australia’s most promising emerging hockey players. The program helps develop athletes capable of progressing to the Under-21 national team and, ultimately, the Hockeyroos.
For St Rita’s College, the achievement continues the school’s proud sporting tradition while giving the Clayfield community another talented young athlete to follow as her representative career continues.
Published 22-July-2026
