Tambellup star Penny Squibb reflects after finally reaching 50 games for beloved Hockeyroos

Tambellup hockey star Penny Squibb says reaching 50 games for her national team is a “love story” that she’ll never thought would happen. Squibb is on a European tour with the Hockeyroos, their final preparation before the Olympic Games in Paris next month. The 31-year-old has recovered from injury to return to international competition in the FIH Hockey Pro League series in Antwerp and London. She reached her special milestone in a tough 5-0 loss to Argentina on May 30 but has been a strong contributor in defence since getting back in green and gold colours on the tour. From growing up on the grass fields in the Great Southern to now having represented her country on 50 occasions was a huge thrill for the determined Squibb. “It’s definitely been a while,” she said post-game. “I think about it pretty much every game I play, it’s like I’m that little kid back in Tambellup playing on the grass fields . . . I don’t think that girl would have believed that this was going to happen. “I always hoped it would but at the end of the day I turn up to training every day because I love hockey . . . to turn up today and play with the girls out here it’s, yeah, it’s a bit of a love story for me.” Reflecting on her journey with the Hockeyroos since making her debut against Argentina in China in 2018, the star WA defender said she was always immensely proud to wear national colours. “It’s still a game of hockey, the same dimensions and yeah I get to wear the green and gold, which is extra special,” Squibb said. “The first time I wore it, it was one of those surreal moments and it still is every time you stand out in the middle of the field with the girls.” Despite being in Europe, Squibb had lots of love from her family and friends in the lead-up to her 50th cap – including photos of when she was a little girl playing hockey. “It’s a nice personal milestone and achievement but I think this year we’ve got some bigger things that we’re focusing towards and that’s where my mindset is,” she said. “I’m just trying to put my best foot forward play our game, play a team game and work towards the Olympics.” The Hockeyroos started their European tour with a 3-2 shootout loss to Belgium on May 29 and then conceded five goals in the defeat to Argentina. Squibb fired Australia back onto the winners list with a powerful penalty corner conversion in the third term of their clash with Argentina on Saturday as they went on to score a 1-0 win. Belgium scored the final two goals of their clash with Australia on Sunday to clinch a 2-1 victory. The Hockeyroos now move to London where they face Great Britain in their first match on Saturday.