Hockey: Hockeyroos begin 2016 with a draw

The Hockeyroos' first competitive outing for the year has ended in a 1-1 draw with Germany thanks to a goal from 18-year-old debutant Grace Stewart.

The match, exactly 200 days out from the start of the Rio Olympics, was the opening game in the tri-series against Germany and Netherlands in Singapore.

Stewart scored the opener in the 10th minute, finishing a penalty corner.Germany's Julia Muller hit back with a penalty corner of her own 13 minutes later to bring her side on level terms.

Head coach Adam Commens said he couldn't ask for much more from Stewart on debut.

"She scored a goal and it was a wonderful start for her," Commens said.

"She had lots of involvement in the game. She's got the speed and physicality that we want from our forwards."

Commens said he was pleased with the number of chances the Hockeyroos created in the match.

"We created a lot of opportunities with a team that was a blend of less experienced athletes, as well as some of more experienced players," Commens said.

"It was a really promising start to the tournament for our forwards like Grace Stewart, Laura Barden and Kellie White, who was playing her first game in 14 months."

White made her return after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament in November 2014.

The Hockeyroos' second match of the series is against the Netherlands, who are coached by Hockeyroos legend Alyson Annan, on Wednesday.