New Delhi [India], September 19 (ANI): The Indian junior women's hockey team is all set to tour Australia for an exciting five-match series, scheduled to take place at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra from September 26 to October 2 2025. The matches will be played on September 26, 27, 29, 30, and October 2.

During the tour, India will play their first three matches against the Australian junior women's team, followed by two games against the local side Canberra Chill, a club that competes in Australia's Hockey One League.

This will be a significant exposure tour for the Indian junior women's team as they continue their preparations for the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025, which will be hosted in Santiago, Chile, in December this year.

The series will provide the Indian team with an opportunity to test themselves in challenging conditions and gain invaluable international match experience against the Australian junior women's team, renowned for its fast-paced and physical brand of hockey. For many of the players, this will also be their first overseas exposure at the junior level, making it a crucial step in their growth and development.

Looking ahead to the tour, Indian junior women's hockey team coach Tushar Khandker said, as quoted from a press release by Hockey India, 'We are grateful for this opportunity to tour Australia, which is one of the strongest hockey-playing nations in the world. Playing a competitive series against them will give our players valuable exposure, help us identify areas of improvement, and prepare the team for the challenges of the Junior World Cup later this year. I would also like to thank Anandana - The Coca-Cola India Foundation - for coming forward to support this important Junior Women's tour. Their backing has set a very good precedent and will go a long way in encouraging more initiatives to strengthen the grassroots and junior hockey structure in India.'

'The players have been working hard in the training camp, and this series will be a real test of our preparations so far. Our focus will be on improving match temperament, adapting to different playing conditions, and executing our strategies under pressure. I believe this experience will go a long way in shaping the team's confidence and readiness for the World Cup,' he added. (ANI)