WAIS Hockey Athletes Win Silverware with National Teams
WAIS athletes have enjoyed successful international campaigns with the men’s and women’s national hockey teams after the Kookaburras claimed the Hamburg Masters and the Hockeyroos clinched the Spar Cup.
The new look Kookaburras are progressing to plan under the leadership of coach Ric Charlesworth, defeating world number one Germany overnight to claim the Hamburg Master tournament.
WAIS scholarship holders Fergus Kavanagh, Ross Meadows, Ian Burcher and Graeme Begbie were all part of the Kookaburras squad that claimed an impressive win in Hamburg.
Only days after the Hockeyroos claimed victory at the Spar Cup championship in South Africa, the Kookaburras demonstrated that Australian hockey is on the right track throughout the next Olympic cycle by claiming victory in the team’s first overseas tournament under Charlesworth.
Despite having a relatively inexperienced line up throughout the tournament, which included eight players with under 20 games experience, the Kookaburras were the form team throughout the Hamburg Masters, with players such as Graeme Begbie, George Bazeley, Simon Orchard and Eddie Ockenden showing the future of the Kookaburras is extremely bright.
Their youthful enthusiasm combined well with the experience of veterans Jamie Dwyer, Brent Livermore and Liam De Young, culminating in an extraordinary first half in which the Kookaburras scored three unanswered goals.
Mark Paterson was the first to score at the seven minute mark, demonstrating he has what it takes to become a regular striker for the Kookaburras.
The Kookaburras attacked the German goal relentlessly throughout the first half, with Eddie Ockenden eventually breaking through again at the 16 minute mark.
When veteran Luke Doerner converted a penalty corner just prior to half time, the match appeared to be well in control of the Kookaburras.
The Germans, determined to prove why they are the number 1 team in the world, came out more determined in the second half, bringing themselves back in the game via two goals within five minutes with plenty of time remaining in the game.
Showing a great deal of maturity the Kookaburras remained calm, scoring three goals within the last twenty minutes to record a deserved victory.
Ric Charlesworth said he is pleased with the progression of the Kookaburras, particularly given the amount of new players who have played under him since his appointment over six months ago.
“Generally, we are beginning to come together as a team, but overall we are still under construction, although we appear to be on the right path,” said Charlesworth.
Giving the Kookaburras further reason for celebration, Jamie Dwyer was awarded player of the tournament while young goalkeeper George Bazeley was awarded goalkeeper of the tournament.
The Kookaburras will be looking to further their development throughout 2009, culminating with the ABN AMRO Hockey Champions Trophy – Men 2009 in Melbourne from November 28- December 6.
The Hockeyroos have commenced their next Olympic cycle in the best possible fashion, defeating world number two Argentina in the Spar Cup final in South Africa.
There was more celebrations for WAIS athletes as Hope Munro, Kobie McGurk and Kim Walker all donned the green and gold in Australia’s success in South Africa.
Even more pleasing for coach Frank Murray was the fact that his young Hockeyroos team, which had six debutants leading up to the tournament, fought back well after finding themselves a goal down at half time.
Argentina, lead by 2008 World Player of the Year Luciana Aymar, appeared to be on top during the first half, showing some excellent dribbling and overall skill.
However the Hockeyroos stuck to their task, scoring three second half goals to seal the finals victory in their first international tournament since their 5th place finish at the Beijing Olympics.
Despite the dramatic turn around after half time, Murray said the result was not due to anything in particular – just a case of working harder and smarter.
“On attack we were able to get through their midfield and into their defence,” said Murray.
Defensively, the Hockeyroos were also much more efficient in creating pressure on those providing the ball to Aymar, denying the Argentinean playmaker any room to move.
The Hockeyroos equalised three minutes after half time through a penalty corner slip pass to pusher Casey Eastham, who at the age of 20 already looks like a long term player capable of leading the Hockeyroos for many years to come.
Tournament debutant Emily Hurtz also continued her good form to score a field goal while Kate Hollywood scored her fourth goal of the tournament to seal victory for the Hockeyroos with eight minutes remaining.
Murray praised his players’ determination after the win.
“Argentina have more speed and flair than us at the moment, but it is more than just speed and technical skill that wins matches, and our players continue to develop their hockey knowledge,” Murray said.
After their 5th place finish at the Beijing Olympics, where the team was extremely unlucky not to qualify for the semi finals after only losing one game during the entire tournament to eventual gold medallists the Netherlands, the signs look good for the new era of Hockeyroos.
The young team will be given a further opportunity to develop and climb their way back to the top of the hockey world at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy – Women 2009 held in Sydney from July 11-19.
The Champions Trophy sees the top six teams in the world go head to head. As the first major international tournament since Beijing, the Hockeyroos will be eager to perform well on home soil.
-Hockey Australia