WITH less than eight months until the Hockeyroos begin their assault on the Tokyo Olympic Games, one would think everyone in their camp is focused on the task of bringing home a medal.
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Especially considering COVID-19 postponed the games by 12 months.
Unfortunately, that's not the case for the squad that consists of South Coast pair Kalindi Commerford and Grace Stewart.
Reports out of the Perth-based high-performance unit suggest the green and gold squad is at breaking point, after two of their most influential players Rachael Lynch, the 2019 International Hockey Federation Goalkeeper of the Year, and former captain Georgina Morgan, who at 27 was on the side's key defenders, were controversially omitted from Australia's 2021 squad.
Australian Community Media understands much of the discontent in the playing group is aimed at high-performance director Toni Cumpston, with senior coach Paul Gaudoin also receiving criticism.
Most of the allegations stem "around a toxic culture of bullying", which has reportedly been present in the elite women's program for close to a decade.
These reports were backed up by recent claims from two-time Olympian Nicole Arrold, who spent a brief period as an assistant under Gaudoin, saying the current coach's leadership was chaotic and disorganised with a lack of clear direction.
It is understood Hockey Australia has recently launched an independent inquiry into the issue, in a hope to get everyone back on the same page ahead of next year's campaign - which at this stage appears unlikely.
While there have been some reports of a potential player strike, Australian Community Media understands the players hope it doesn't come to that, with their 2021 season bound to start soon at next month's Pro League.
Even if Lynch and Morgan were added to the Hockeyroos' 25-person strong squad, which has the ability to add two more players, it's believed the relationship between the playing group and Hockey Australia management appears irreparable until action is taken.