2018 gold medallists Zalewski, Wickham and Harvie chasing more gold in Birmingham with the Kookaburras

WAIS hockey graduates Aran Zalewski, Tom Wickham and Jake Harvie have been selected in a powerhouse Kookaburras Team for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

The trio were all part of the gold medal winning team four years ago on the Gold Coast and are eager to solidify Australia’s status as the top Commonwealth nation, having won every title since hockey was introduced in 1998.

For 31-year-old Zalewski, Birmingham will be his third games having represented Australia in Glasgow and the Gold Coast. In a new achievement for him it will be his first as Captain, as he continues in the role with co-captain Eddie Okenden.

Joining him are 24-year-old Harvie and 32-year-old Wickham, who was a crucial member of the Tokyo Olympic silver medal winning squad.

Commonwealth Games Australia Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM says the Kookaburras are Games royalty.

“Congratulations to the 18 Kookaburras who have been selected for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Thomas said.

“Hockey Australia and the Kookaburras coaches have selected an exciting team to represent the green and gold in Birmingham with the goal of continuing one of the most incredible runs of success in multi-sport event history, aiming for a seventh consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal.”

The Kookaburras have South Africa, New Zealand, Scotland and Pakistan in their pool as they chase a seventh straight Commonwealth Games gold medal.

The Hockey competition to be held Friday 29 August through Monday 8 August, at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre.