Armidale’s Nathan Czinner and Lily Neilson, along with Farrer boy Jack Marshall, will pull on the NSW Pride jersey this Hockey One season after being named in the 2026 squads.
Mr Czinner and Mr Marshall are in the NSW Pride Men’s squad, while Ms Neilson is in the Women’s squad for the ONE Active Hockey League season.
Mr Czinner, who was born and raised in Armidale and began his hockey at SportUNE, the home of Hockey New England, has had a big year. He was named a non-travelling reserve for Australia’s World Cup squad after featuring in the Kookaburras program throughout 2026.
He joins a Pride Men’s squad packed with international experience. Tim Brand, Blake Govers, and Ash Thomas return from the Kookaburras’ 2026 World Cup campaign, where Australia finished fifth. Mr Govers found the back of the net in a 2-0 win over England to close out the tournament.
Dylan Downey was also named a non-travelling reserve, while former Kookaburra Kurt Lovett adds more experience after returning to NSW Pride in 2025.
Men’s Head Coach Brent Livermore said he was excited by the potential of the group.
“There is a lot that excites me about this group,” Mr Livermore said.
“Coming back into the Hockey One environment with renewed energy and a fresh perspective, I am looking forward to building the habits, game understanding, and connection we need to compete at this level.”
In the Women’s squad, Ms Neilson will line up alongside seven Hockeyroos who played at the recent 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands: Alice Arnott, Jocelyn Bartram, Makayla Jones, Alana Kavanagh, Grace Stewart, Mariah Williams, and Abigail Wilson.
The Hockeyroos finished fourth in the world after a narrow 1-0 loss to Belgium in the bronze medal match.
Ms Bartram was one of the standout players of the tournament. She was named Best Goalkeeper of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup and has since been shortlisted for the 2026 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
The squad also includes the next generation of NSW talent. Kalahni Crews and Anneliese Cullen were selected in Hockey Australia’s 2026/27 Under-18 National Futures Squad, while Maddi Smith is part of the National Development Program.
“With the shared goal of winning Hockey One in 2026, I am delighted with the Pride squad,” said Women’s Head Coach Scott Barker.
“It offers a strong balance of youth and experience, with our Hockeyroos returning alongside the welcome return of Alice Arnott.”
“Our focus will be on building strong connections across the group, maintaining a healthy squad, and welcoming Jocelyn Bartram back in goal after injuries prevented her from playing last season.”
Mr Barker also singled out the squad’s young players.
“I have also been very impressed by the development of our young players, who are certainly putting their hands up for selection,” Mr Barker said.
“Their growth and competitiveness will be an important part of the squad as we pursue success in the 2026 Hockey One campaign.”
NSW Pride opens its 2026 campaign away against the Melbourne Cobras on Sunday, 11 October.
The first home match is against the Brisbane Blaze at Newcastle International Hockey Centre on Friday, 16 October.
The Pride will then return to Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre for the first time since 2023, taking on the Perth Thundersticks on Saturday, 24 October and the Canberra Chill on Saturday, 7 November. The final home match of the regular season is against the Tassie Tigers in Newcastle on Friday, 20 November.
Tickets and memberships for the 2026 season are on sale now.
“We know it is going to be a tough campaign, but that is what makes it exciting,” Mr Livermore said.
“If we commit to the process, challenge each other and take ownership of how we want to play, I am really looking forward to seeing what this group can become.”
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