PERTH: A 24-year-old field hockey player has died after being hit on the head by a ball during a women's league match in Western Australia state.

Lizzie Watkins was playing for North Coast Raiders in a state league match against Victoria Park Panthers late Sunday when she slumped to the ground unconscious after a ball deflected into her head. She reportedly died on the way to hospital.

Hockey Australia chief executive Mark Anderson on Monday offered sympathy to the Watkins family.

“I know that members of our two national teams and players involved at all levels of our sport are saddened by this tragic event,” Anderson said.

Australia's men's team, the Kookaburras, wore black arm bands in the final of a tournament in London overnight as a sign of respect.

Kookaburras player Jamie Dwyer tweeted: “All the Kookaburras thoughts are with the Watkins family after the devastating news. Such a sad day in the hockey world.”

Raiders club president Craig Vallipuram was quoted as saying it was a “terrible and tragic incident and one which has devastated everyone who knew her.”