Mitton Ready Made Kookaburra
Third generation Kookaburras player and AIS-WAIS athlete Trent Mitton will be one of several players given an opportunity to prove themselves at the international level when Australia competes in the 2010 Champions Trophy later this month.
Held in Germany from 31 July – 8 August, Mitton along with Chris Ciriello, Tim Deavin, Jason Wilson, Mark Patterson and Joel Carrol, will play in their first major international tournament at the Champions Trophy.
Having made his debut for the Kookaburras only two months ago, Mitton’s selection is significant as he is a third generation Kookaburras player, with his father Grant Mitton playing for the Kookaburras throughout the 1980s (including the 1984 Olympics and 1986 World Cup). Mitton’s grandfather, Don Mitton, also represented Australia during a tour of New Zealand in 1958.
Mitton said he is extremely proud to have followed in his fathers and grandfathers footsteps, but was looking forward to forging his own career with the Kookaburras.
“Obviously it is a great honour to be selected for Australia and it is a bit unique that both my dad and grandfather also represented Australia. I’m just looking to make the most of the opportunity given to me by the coaches and hopefully establish myself in the team,” said Mitton.
Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth has selected the likes of Mitton ahead of World Cup squad members such as Kiel Brown, Liam De Young, Rob Hammond, Mark Knowles and Grant Schubert to compete in the 2010 Champions Trophy.
While the aim was to give these senior players a rest, Charlesworth said his decision to play so many young players was done in an attempt to build depth in the squad ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
“The squad chosen was done so with a view to build depth and continue experimenting with structures and players. Our sights are firmly set on the London Olympics, everything we have done and everything we will continue to do will have this is mind,” said Charlesworth.
In other Champions Trophy related news, Matthew Butturini has been replaced in the squad by NSW striker Mark Patterson following a hamstring injury to Butturini. Patterson made his international debut in 2009 and has played 31 matches for the Kookaburras
Prior to competing at the Champions Trophy the Kookaburras will play two test matches against Belgium before their first match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand on Saturday July 31.
Australia is the most successful Champions Trophy team in the world, having won a record ten gold medals and 27 medals overall. Having won the 2008 & 2009 gold medals, they will be looking to win three championships in a row for only the second time in Australian history after the Kookaburras also won the Champions Trophy title from 1983-1985.
Although 19 players will travel to Europe, the Champions Trophy squad will be reduced to 18 players prior to the beginning of the tournament.
The Kookaburras will depart for Europe on Monday 19 July.
– Hockey Australia
