Next month the 2017 Oceania Cup takes place at Sydney Olympic Park, with Australia taking on New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the women’s and men’s hockey.

Held every two years, the Oceania Cup is the continental championship for the Oceania region. The tournament acts at the primary qualification event for the forthcoming Olympic Games or World Cup, whichever is next, with the winner earning a berth at the Olympics or World Cup.

The Oceania Cup is a major competition in the national competition schedule with the winner automatically qualifying for the 2018 Hockey World Cup.

Each nation will play each other in the pool rounds before the top two ranked nations face off in the gold medal match for the glory of the Oceania Cup title.

Tickets are available at hockey.org.au/oceaniacup

NSWIS caught up with new Hockeyroos captain Emily Smith and goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram as they prepare for the competition.