The First Olympic Australian Hockey Team 1956 Volume 59 Issue 6 24 July 2012 In this Olympic Special Bulletin Olympic Teams 2012 The WA Contingent Olympic WA Hockey Players Through History Olympic Hockey Fixtures Editor Kate Main Contact [email protected] Photos Dan Carson Bulletin Six 25 July 2012 Welcome to this special Bulletin to keep you completely in the The Teams loop with the hockey action over the next few weeks. This Bulletin has hockey fixtures, players and an historic look at the Games Sixteen men and women are selected and two reserves are in from a WA hockey perspective. This includes player profiles on the stands if there is an injury. They take the place of the injured many of our WA Hockey Champions. Make sure you print off the athlete - who is then not included in medal ceremonies. fixtures and watch every minute of the matches. Women’s Olympic Team: I am not one for pomp and hype but there is something special about the Olympic Games that is different from any other Teneal Attard (QLD), Madonna Blyth (QLD), Fiona Boyce (WA), sporting tournament. The players know it and the world waits for Jade Close (NSW), Toni Cronk (NSW), Casey Eastham (NSW), Anna them in anticipation. Some may complain that it is overkill and Flanagan (ACT), Kate Jenner (NSW), Kobie McGurk (WA), Hope encourages countries to show power through money invested but Munro (WA), Georgia Nanscawen (VIC), Ashleigh Nelson (WA), no one can deny that sports lovers stop for two weeks. Megan Rivers (NSW), Jodie Schulz (QLD), Emily Smith (NSW), Jayde Taylor (WA) Recently in theWest Australian players were wondering who Reserves: Emily Hurtz (NSW) Ashleigh Wells (VIC) would carry the Australian flag. Not many will remember that in 1968 WA hockey great Eric Pearce carried the flag at the closing Men’s Olympic Team: ceremony of the Mexico Olympics. His world renown skills in four Olympic Games had been duly recognised. Nathan Burgers (QLD), Matthew Butturini (NSW), Joel Carroll (NT), Chris Ciriello (VIC), Tim Deavin (TAS), Liam De Young (QLD), Jamie WA and Australia had a very strong women’s team in the 50s Dwyer (QLD), Matt Gohdes (QLD), Kieran Govers (NSW), Fergus through to the 70s yet there was no women’s hockey team at the Kavanagh (WA), Mark Knowles (QLD), Eddie Ockenden (TAS), Olympics for six cycles until 1980. How frustrating for them to Simon Orchard (NSW), Matthew Swann (QLD), Glenn Turner have heard about the bronze and two silver medals won by the (ACT), Russell Ford (VIC) men at this time. Reserves: Kiel Brown (WA), Andrew Charter (ACT) Reading the profiles of our many WA hockey Olympians from the past reminds me of the poignant disappointment that can Follow the athletes on: happen when an event comes about only once every four years. Twitter @Kookaburras In 1980 the boycott at the Moscow Games meant some athletes Twitter @Hockeyeroos waited seven years to compete and some women such as Follow the athletes on: Janice Davidson, Jan Ramshaw and Di Walsh never had another opportunity when marriage, babies and injury got in the way. Facebook @Kookaburras Facebook @Hockeyeroos Injury was agreat tragedy for some other hockey greats. Follow Ashleigh Nelson’s blog on: Kookaburra’s Captain Paul Gaudoin was injured in 2004 only weeks before Australia took the first Gold Medal in Athens. He ashleighnelson.org must sympathise with Graham Begbie who was injured this year. For more information hockeywa.org.au Follow Hockey WA on Facebook facebook.com/hockeywa 2 Bulletin Six 25 July 2012 WA Athletes Fiona Boyce The highlight of Fiona Boyce’s career to date is winning a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Boyce broke into the Australian women’s hockey team at the 2009 Champions Trophy, proving she has a big engine and solid work ethic all over the park. Since her debut she has played an integral part in the team’s success and has a bright future as both an international hockey player and lawyer. Kobie McGurk Kobie McGurk was recognised as a world class athlete last year when she was named in the FIH’s prestigious World All Stars team. An experienced campaigner, McGurk is one of the toughest defenders in the world and adds a wealth of experience to the team with 165 games under her belt. Her determination and work ethic combined with her athletic ability has seen her excel against international opposition. McGurk played a key role at the Beijing Olympics and will be looking to bring her knowledge and fearless approach into the London Games. Hope Munro Considered one of the best midfielders in the world, Hope Munro took a break in 2006 and 2010 to start a family, but returned to the top of her game a year later on both occasions. The West Australian’s skill and experience has boosted the Australian women’s ranks and her presence on the field will be invaluable during the London Olympics. Munro’s brother is Kiel Brown, who is a member of the men’s national squad. For more information hockeywa.org.au Follow Hockey WA on Facebook facebook.com/hockeywa 3 Bulletin Six 25 July 2012 Ashleigh Nelson Nelson debuted for the Hockeyroos in 2007 and was part of the Olympic preparation for Beijing. She is one of the more experienced players in the team and a constant performer. The leading goal scorer at the 2011 Australian Hockey League, the West Australian is a serious threat inside the attacking circle. She is an athletic striker and her leadership skills are a key aspect of her continued success with the Australian women’s team. Jayde Taylor An experienced campaigner, Jayde Taylor is a force to be reckoned with in defence. Taylor made her debut in 2010 at the age of 25. A fast defender with the ability to push forward, she has made up the contingent of leaders in the team. Taylor has played in the 2010 World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and 2011 Champions Trophy, and is looking to add an Olympic Games medal to her growing list of benchmark achievements. Fergus Kavanagh Fergus Kavanagh is an outstanding defender who played a key role during the Kookaburras Olympic campaign in Beijing. Hailing from Geraldton in WA, Kavanagh debuted for Australia at 2007 Azlan Shah Cup. He vividly remembers how fast paced the game was and in the searing Indian heat it was quite an introduction to international competition. Since then he has been a key member of the Kookaburras outfit, part of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Champions Trophy and 2010 World Cup victories. Off the pitch Kavanagh is quite the performer and if he wasn’t a professional athlete, he’d be a rock star or Broadway icon. According to Kavanagh if a movie was ever made about his life, he would be cast as the lead. For more information hockeywa.org.au Follow Hockey WA on Facebook facebook.com/hockeywa 4 Bulletin Six 25 July 2012 Kiel Brown Kiel Brown’s dedication to his sport was rewarded when he won a Bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, the highlight of his career. He remembers vividly the tingles up his spine when the national anthem was played and would love to experience that same emotion again. Since debuting for the Kookaburras against the Netherlands in 2007. Missing selection in the 2009 champions Trophy squad, his determination saw him rejoin the line-up at the 2010 World Cup where he performed strongly. Brown couldn’t live without his number one supporter, his wife Jess. WA Coaching Staff Ric Charlesworth AM - Australian Men’s National Coach The name Charlesworth is synonymous with world hockey and the reason for this is legendary Australian coach Ric Charlesworth. As a player, Charlesworth captained the Australian men’s hockey team and represented his country in five Olympics from 1972–1988, winning a silver medal in 1976. He went on to have a decorated career as a coach, leading the Australian women’s national team from 1993–2000. It was known as the golden era, where they won every major tournament on the hockey calendar, Including two gold medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Games. Charlesworth took over the helm of the Australian men’s team in 2009 and is having the same success. He has coached the team to multiple Champions Trophy wins, World Cup and Commonwealth Games titles and Olympic gold is all that is left to conquer in London. Paul Gaudoin - Men’s Assistant Coach Gaudoin is a two-time Olympic medallist who represented his country for 11 years. He had a decorated career as former captain of the Australian men’s hockey team, playing at three Olympics. Gaudoin won bronze at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics but withdrew on the eve of Athens Games where the team won gold, due to injury. Gaudoin was appointed assistant coach of the men’s team in 2010. For more information hockeywa.org.au Follow Hockey WA on Facebook facebook.com/hockeywa 5 Western Australian Representatives Western Australia has a long history of international representation in hockey teams. Our long list of Olympians is listed below and some of our WA Hockey Champions are summarised beside. Ian Dick was a brilliant inside forward who was at the Men forefront of the surge of Western Australian hockey in 1956 - Melbourne the late 1940’s and through the Ian Dick (Captain) 1950’s. Alan Barblett Ian was chosen to play at Kevin Carton inside-right in every Australian Maurice Foley team selected between Dennis Kemp 1948 and 1958.