Kookaburras Include WAIS Athletes in Senior Squad for 2013

Kookaburras head coach Ric Charlesworth has selected a 30 man squad for 2013, including 15 out of the 16 Olympic bronze medallists from London.

Charlesworth’s squad includes a deep breadth of WAIS scholarship holders, with; Kiel Brown, Tristan Clemons, Fergus Kavanagh, Trent Mitton, Aran Zalewski and Graeme Begbie all named in the senior squad, whilst; Chris Bausor, Craig Boyne and Nathan Mcguire earned selection in the 12 man national development squad.

“We have selected a squad that we believe are capable of playing in the World Cup in 2014 and can manage the heavy workload in 2014 which includes the Champions Trophy, World Cup and Commonwealth Games” Charlesworth said.

Leading the Kookaburras squad in 2013 are three time Olympic medallists’ Jamie Dwyer, Liam de Young and Mark Knowles. Dwyer and Knowles are coming off the back of a superb 2012 Champions Trophy campaign where they were instrumental in claiming a history making fifth gold medal in a row.

Western Australian’s Tristan Clemons and Tyler Lovell have been promoted from the development squad to replace retired 2012 Olympic bronze medal goalkeeper Nathan Burgers.

Joining Clemons and Lovell are WA locals Trent Mitton and Aran Zalewski who have been given the opportunity to prove themselves to the Kookaburras coaching panel. Mitton, a 2012 Champions Trophy gold medallist, showed he has the skill and determination to play on the world stage.

Young guns Tristan White, Jacob Whetton and Josh Miller debut in the National Squad after being promoted from the development squad. White and Whetton showed promise and poise during the recent Champions Trophy where White played a critical role in the final play of the gold medal match which secured the Kookaburras a fifth successive gold medal.

Three injured Kookaburras, Graeme Begbie, Des Abbott and Glenn Turner have been included in the squad and are ready to prove that they are fit for World League 3 commencing in June.

– Hockey Australia