Paris here we come: Alice named in Hockeyroos' Olympic squad

The Tamworth export is off to Paris after being unveiled in the 16-strong Hockeyroos squad that will shoot for Olympic gold later this month.

The 26-year-old's selection caps off a stunning turnaround from missing a spot in the 2023 squad.

Speaking with the Leader after making her Hockeyroos debut in the series against India last May, Arnott admitted that at that stage she thought "that door" had closed for her.

"I thought that (Hockeyroos) was kind of done and then I got called up for [the series against India], which was obviously really exciting," the striker said.

"And that kind of changed everything again for me."

Suddenly her Olympic dream, seemed within reach.

Now 13 months after joining Kim Small, Kate Jenner and Georgina Morgan as Tamworth players that have gone on to represent the Hockeyroos, the girl from Willow Tree is set to join them as Olympians.

The Calrossy alumnus, who got her start in Tamworth with Olympians and also played for Tudor Wests as well as Tamworth, is one of six Olympic debutants in the squad that will be aiming to win Australia's fourth women's hockey gold medal.

As the news filtered through the grapevine on Monday, among the many well-wishers was former coach Richard Willis.

Someone Arnott acknowledges as "a massive part" of her career "growing up", he was in Adelaide last year to watch her make her debut.

"The thing I'm probably most excited about is I've seen Alice's journey," Willis said.

He's seen the many trials and tribulations she has endured to get to this point, like the ACL injury in 2016 that saw her out of the game for 12 months, to others getting opportunities ahead of her and doubting whether she was ever going to get her chance.

But she's stuck with it and showed "great perseverance", and has duly been rewarded.

"She could have easily given up on her Olympic dream, but she didn't," he said.

"To get her shot now is very exciting for her."

Speaking at the official announcement head coach Katrina Powell touched on the versatility of the squad.

"There's good versatility in there, they provide flexibility and the versatility that's required for the structure of an Olympic Games," she said.

"We certainly like to play with speed, skill and variety and this group provides it."

"We've got world-class players spread throughout our whole group, in all of the lines surrounded by talent and then we have some dogged determination in there as well, so it's a really great mix."

Arnott isn't the only Tamworth connection with former McCarthy Catholic College alumnus Jeremy Davy the Hockeyroos assistant coach.

Davy is no stranger to the Olympic stage.

He was part of the Hockeyroos coaching set-up three years ago in Tokyo, and was the performance analyst for the Kookaburras when they finally broke through for their maiden gold in 2004.

The women's team is subject to an ongoing appeal with striker Rosie Malone appealing her omission.

Hockeyroos Olympic squad: Alice Arnott, Jocelyn Bartram, Jane Claxton, Claire Colwill, Rebecca Greiner, Stephanie Kershaw, Amy Lawton, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris, Karri Somerville, Penny Squibb, Grace Stewart, Tatum Stewart, Renee Tatlor, Mariah Williams, Grace Young.