Junior Flyers Relegated from Division 1B in 2026

The Australian Junior Flyers relegated from Division 1B in 2026.

It was a tough year at the IIHF World Championships for Australia’s U18 women’s team, known as the Junior Flyers. A sixth-place finish in Division 1B unfortunately means relegation to Division 2A for next year (2027).

Warm up to 2026 Tournament

The team, playing in the highest division out of any Australian hockey teams, flew to the Czech Republic for a team camp and 2-game warm-up series against a Czechia representative team. The Aussies had a good camp, knowing the difficult task ahead of them. They defeated the Czechia select team in both warm-up games, 5-3 ad 3-2 in overtime.

Oz Hockey Media spoke with head coach Remi Harvey ahead of the tournament in Katowice, Poland.

“Division 1 is a big challenge, and we have made great process together. It’s a tough road ahead but this training camp in Czechia has given the girls great confidence going into Worlds this week. The hospitality b the Czech hockey community in Cesky Tesin has been first class. The exhibition games have been excellent preparation for the tournament ahead in Poland.”

The Tournament

Australia entered the tournament knowing it was the underdog in the division. Division 2A featured the likes of Spain, Poland, Austria, China and Great Britain along with the Aussies.

The Aussie Flyers soon found out the underdog status was justified with five losses from five games. It was not for unpreparedness or a lack of effort by the Aussies. They all put in massive efforts on the ice and never gave up. They were simply outmatched by the calibre of their opposition this year. This is not unusual for when an Australian national team gets to this high a level in any age category. It is a reality of the level we are currently at. It gives a good yardstick understanding of how much further we must go to truly become competitive at this level.

Hannah Cryan was named Australian player of the tournament. The 18-year-old forward is a former Sydney Sirens player in the AWIHL. She is currently developing her hockey craft in Canada with the Ottowa Lady 67’s U22 team. Hannah scored the opening goal of the tournament for the Aussies in game one vs Spain.

Effects of an Improving and Expanding AWIHL on the National Team

The expansion of the AWIHL to six teams provides more places at the elite level in Australian women’s hockey for younger players to experience and gain valuable ice time. The increase in games and level of competition from a younger age in the AWIHL will only help to improve the national teams in years to come.

An improving, expanding and thriving AWIHL is vital for the Junior Flyers and senior Aussie Flyers. It helps their push to reach and stay competitive in the higher levels of the international hockey pyramid.