Norths defender Dawson and Souths striker Williams were named in their respective men's and women's hockey squads on Monday ahead of the Games in Tokyo.

Both players from the Newcastle senior ranks also lined up in Rio five years ago.

They toured New Zealand recently in what marked a return to international fixtures following the COVID-19 break over the last 12 months.

The Kookaburras will launch their Olympic campaign against hosts Japan on July 24 while the Hockeyroos start with Spain on July 25.

"Being at our best when we need to be is what it's all about," Kookaburras coach Colin Batch told AOC media.

"Our first aim is to qualify for the quarter finals and we cannot underestimate that.

"We come up against a determined host country first up who will be nicely acclimatised and very eager to perform well in front of their home crowd, so each match generates a different set of circumstances.

"We're not looking too far past that first match against Japan.

"We have a really committed squad and of course this team announcement brings some elation but also some disappointment in the group.

"Some players have played well recently and not been selected.

"We have had limited international matches but the importance and value we place on our daily training environment is also a major part of our assessment."

Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell, a two-time Games gold medalist, said she was looking forward to the challenge in Tokyo.

"There is a lot of talent in this group - a lot of potential, drive, enthusiasm and passion, so if we can harness all of that in what will be really tough conditions in Tokyo, you never know what can happen," Powell told AOC media.

"There is some experience that both I and [assistant coach] Katie Allen can bring directly to the group.

"But everyone's Olympic experience is really different, so these players need to be themselves and be authentic.

"Given the matches we've just played against New Zealand and the different combinations on the field in each game, coupled with the team doing well is an indicator of how difficult it was to pick this team.

"To have those names on the sheet makes Tokyo very real and I'm really excited about the opportunity that's ahead of us."

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