Western Australians Earn World League Semi-Finals Selection

Published On: 21 June 2017

Three Western Australian hockey athletes have been named in the Kookaburras team that will travel to Johannesburg early next month to compete in the World League Semi-Final.

Those athletes selected in the 18-person team are Tyler Lovell, Trent Mitton and Aran Zalewski.

The World League Semi-Final competition will act as a qualifier for both the World League Final, to be held in India in December and the 2018 World Cup that will also be held in India in November next year.

Having been competing in the Dutch League for the first half of this year, Aran Zalewski returns to the Kookaburras side for the first time in 2017.

Daniel Beale and Tristan White will also be returning for the first time this year, whilst captain Mark Knowles will make his comeback after missing the Azlan Shah Cup due to a stress injury in his foot.

Kookaburras Head Coach, Colin Batch said “we’re pleased to have some of our experienced athletes return to the side for the first time in 2017.”

“The return of these players will bolster the strength of our play across the midfield and defence.”

“Ultimately the team we have selected, we hope will not only help us to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but will also give us an indication of how the team copes when we have different players coming into the mix as we test new playing lines.”

The Kookaburras depart for Johannesburg, South Africa on the 3rd of July where they will compete in a number of practice matches prior to commencing the World League Semi-Finals on the 8th of July.