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Having helped the Hockeyroos secure their place at the Tokyo Olympics, Gerringong's Grace Stewart is determined to spend the next nine months ensuring she is a member of the squad that flies to Japan in July. Stewart scored two goals in Australia's two victories over Russia in Perth, with the striker finding the back of the net in both matches. The two-game series was the last chance for the Hockeyroos to qualify for the Olympics after they lost to New Zealand in September and Stewart said there was a major feeling of relief once the final whistle sounded. "Initially there was such a feeling of relief, it was such a high-pressure situation given what was riding on it," Stewart said. "Now we're definitely going, it's super exciting to know what we've been working towards is going to come together." The series came after a challenging year for Stewart, she missed out on selection for the New Zealand series and has battled an abductor injury in recent weeks. Read more: Wilkshire confident as University of Wollongong squad prepare for World Cup Having played such a key role in the victories, the 22-year-old is hopeful she has turned a corner and her form will continue to improve leading into what would be her second Olympic Games. "I scored a couple of goals, which is always nice when you're a striker, it's good to do your job. I hadn't performed how I wanted to earlier in the year, so it's nice to go out and have a good game. "Hopefully I have turned a corner. It's hard now, we don't play anymore this year, but hopefully I keep training well and my form continues on into next year." While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.
Close quarters: Grace Stewart fights her way through Russian defenders in last weekend's Olympic qualifier. Picture: FIH.
Having helped the Hockeyroos secure their place at the Tokyo Olympics, Gerringong's Grace Stewart is determined to spend the next nine months ensuring she is a member of the squad that flies to Japan in July.
Stewart scored two goals in Australia's two victories over Russia in Perth, with the striker finding the back of the net in both matches.
The two-game series was the last chance for the Hockeyroos to qualify for the Olympics after they lost to New Zealand in September and Stewart said there was a major feeling of relief once the final whistle sounded.
"Initially there was such a feeling of relief, it was such a high-pressure situation given what was riding on it," Stewart said.
"Now we're definitely going, it's super exciting to know what we've been working towards is going to come together."
The series came after a challenging year for Stewart, she missed out on selection for the New Zealand series and has battled an abductor injury in recent weeks.
Having played such a key role in the victories, the 22-year-old is hopeful she has turned a corner and her form will continue to improve leading into what would be her second Olympic Games.
"I scored a couple of goals, which is always nice when you're a striker, it's good to do your job. I hadn't performed how I wanted to earlier in the year, so it's nice to go out and have a good game.
"Hopefully I have turned a corner. It's hard now, we don't play anymore this year, but hopefully I keep training well and my form continues on into next year."
While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.
