Redfern Teen Thrilled to Represent Australia at Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon 2024

Elin Schmitz, a 14-year-old Ice Hockey athlete hailing from Redfern, is among the 24 athletes from various disciplines who have settled into the Australian headquarters ahead of their first day of competition of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.



The teenager expressed her excitement upon her arrival at the Youth Olympic Village in Gangwon, highlighting the incredible experience of being part of this prestigious event. Along with her teammates, she explored the vibrant atmosphere of the Village, where flags from various countries adorned the surroundings.

Elin described being in Gangwon as “awesome” and mentioned the festive spirit. She was particularly thrilled by the dining hall and Athlete 365 centre, where various educational programs and activities await.

Twenty-four athletes from various disciplines, including Biathlon, Short Track Speed Skating, Snowboard Cross, and Ice Hockey, have settled into the Australian headquarters ahead of their first day of competition on Saturday, 20 January 2024.

This year’s Australian Team for the Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG) is the largest in history, comprising 47 athletes across eight disciplines. The competition will unfold over a two-week period, from 19 January to 1 February, providing ample opportunities for Australian athletes to shine on the international stage.

For those eager to follow the action, all events will be available for live streaming on 9Now, ensuring that fans don’t miss any of the thrilling moments. The festivities will kick off with the Opening Ceremony, which will be broadcast live on 9Go! from 9:55 pm AEDT on Friday, 19 January.



Published 18-Jan-2024

Redfern Ice Hockey Athletes Selected for 2024 Winter Youth Olympics

Two Redfern locals are part of a 13-member women’s national youth 3-on-3 ice hockey team that will represent Australia at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea.



Annika Schmitz and Elin Schmitz, are set to join the WYOG tournament scheduled to take place from 20 to 25 Jan 2024.  Notably, this selection marks a significant milestone as it is the first all-Australian ice hockey team to compete at a WYOG.

Annika, 15, started her journey at 9 years old. Today, she stands as a key member of the Arctic Foxes women’s team. Inspired by strong female athletes like her first ice hockey coach, who represented Australia, and Matilda’s captain Sam Kerr, Annika is determined to pave the way for women in sport. 

Elin, 14, fell in love with the sport at  7 years old, when a new rink opened near her home. She joined the Ice Zoo Wolves and quickly embraced the speed, skills, and teamwork required in the game. In 2022, Elin made her international debut, representing Australia at the One Hockey International Peewee Tournament.

Ice Hockey Redfern
Photo Credit: Olympics.com.au

Unprecedented Opportunity for Australian Youth

Annika and Elin are two of the pioneers of what is expected to be a 53-member Australian team, set to compete against 1,900 youth athletes from 70 countries during WYOG. This event is a unique opportunity for young Australian winter athletes to challenge themselves on a global stage and gain invaluable experiences as they represent their nation in Gangwon.

Australian Chef de Mission and Vancouver 2010 Olympian, Ramone Cooper, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the selected athletes. 

“As the first Australian ice hockey team to be selected for a Winter Youth Olympic Games, this is a fantastic achievement, and I have no doubt these young athletes will do an incredible job representing their country in Gangwon,”  Ramone Cooper, the Australian Chef de Mission and Vancouver 2010 Olympian, said. 

General Manager of Ice Hockey Australia, Adam Woolnough, expressed the immense pride felt by the ice hockey community in Australia for reaching this milestone. He highlighted the collective effort of coaches, volunteers, and players, both past and present, in achieving this remarkable accomplishment. 



Mr Woolnough is confident that the selected team will represent Australia with pride and humility, creating lifelong memories in the process.

Published 4-Jan-2024