Charlesworth Selects Five WAIS Athletes in National Squad

Kookaburras Coach Ric Charlesworth has selected five WAIS men’s hockey athletes in the Kookaburras 2010 squad ahead of a busy year that includes a World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

2008 Olympians Fergus Kavanagh and Kiel Brown headline the WAIS group named in the squad, alongside emerging national team players Graeme Begbie, Brent Dancer and Ross Meadows.

Dancer has progressed from the development squad to the senior squad as Charlesworth attempts to broaden the depth in the men’s ranks in the lead up to London 2012.

“There has been some movement between the groups (Senior and Development squads) which I think reflects a healthy competitiveness amongst the team, it indicates that there has been progress made,” the Australian Coach stated.

“We intend to pick players from both squads throughout next year, so those players in the Development squad are still all well in contention.”

A further three WAIS men’s hockey athletes have been chosen in the development squad, with Charleworth’s comments and the progression of Dancer sure to inspire them in the early part of 2010. Jonathon Charlesworth, Ian Burcher and Trent Mitton will all be looking to push their national squad counterparts in the build up to February and March’s World Cup.