Major commitment for TIS hockey players
While some athletes’ Olympic commitment is limited to just minutes, few get to savour as much competition time as the
hockey players.
But it is a schedule embraced by the likes of Tasmanian midfielder Eddie Ockenden.
The gold medal favourite Kookaburras have no time to savour the atmosphere in Rio de Janeiro, facing two tough fixtures
on the opening two days and little downtime for the next fortnight - providing they stay in the competition.
“We cover the whole two weeks so there’s not much rest time,” Ockenden said.
“We play a couple of games back-to-back which makes it hard, but we’re used to it.”
Those two games are an afternoon trans-Tasman derby with New Zealand on Saturday (2.30am Sunday AEST) followed by
an evening clash the following day with Spain, the side that ended Australia’s reign as Olympic champions in the 2008
semi-final.
“New Zealand first game will be interesting. We know each other really well and they are a really strong team. It’s a very
tough start and you cannot look past the first couple of games on the first two days. It’ll be really exciting to get into those
games. We’ve got to be ready to go right from the start.
“It’s going to be really close. Even in the group stage you cannot write any team off. The standard of world hockey is really
high at the moment which is great for the sport.”
Graham Reid’s men face further group stage fixtures against Belgium (TUESDAY AUGUST 9), Great Britain (WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 10) and Brazil (FRIDAY AUGUST 12) before the introduction of quarter-finals adds another dimension to the
tournament.
“Having quarter-finals is a bit different. We’ve had them in other tournaments just not at the Olympics. It probably means
there is not as much emphasis on qualifying, but it’s going to be tough.”
Ockenden was the youngest player in the Beijing Olympic tournament when he announced himself to the hockey world
with a performance that earned him the accolade of world young player of the year.
He has since amassed 278 international appearances with 65 goals, two World Cup wins, two Commonwealth Games
wins, two Olympic bronze medals as well as being named the Kookaburras’ 2015 player of the year.
The first Tasmanian to score 50 international goals was also named Tasmanian athlete of the year in 2014.
A decade after making his international debut, the product of Hobart’s North-West Grads has plenty of memories to look
back on.
“It’s been 10 years since I got into the side and I look back really fondly on that time.
“We’ve had quite a lot of success along the way and I’m really grateful to have experienced that with the guys in this team
and look back proudly on those achievements.”
Along with several other teammates, Ockenden has vivid memories of the 2008 and 2012 semi-final losses against Spain
and Germany respectively that cost Australia a shot at gold.
He said much was learned from those games, both of which had seen the Kookaburras in a winning position.
“There was a big improvement after 2012 which led to the 2014 World Cup win so we are on the right path and can still
learn plenty from that.
“We are at our best when we are playing positively and that aggressive style also helps us defensively.
“It’s a good thing that we are expected to do well because obviously it means we are a good team. We’ve just got to play
positively and keep playing our attacking style.”
Ockenden and Launceston’s Tim Deavin are among the Tasmanians in action on the first day of competition, Saturday
(AUGUST 6), when the Kookaburras begin their campaign against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at the Deodoro
Olympic Hockey Centre.
Richie Porte is Australia’s team leader, with support from versatile mountain biker Scott Bowden, for the 256.4-kilometre
road race which is due to finish at Fort Copacabana.
Meanwhile, Kerry Hore and her quad scull crewmates face the first of two heats at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
They will be in lane three at 1.50am Sunday (Tastime) against Ukraine, Netherlands and China with USA, Poland and
Germany in the second heat.
The women’s eight, featuring Meaghan Volker, is also first up on Monday against USA, Netherlands and Romania.
SATURDAY AUGUST 6
Cycling: 9.30am Men’s road race, Fort Copacabana (10.30pm AEST)
Rowing: 12.50pm Women’s quad sculls heats, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (1.50am Sunday
AEST)
Hockey: 1.30pm Australia v New Zealand, Deodoro Hockey Centre (2.30am Sunday AEST)
SUNDAY AUGUST 7
Hockey: 8.30pm Australia v Spain, Deodoro Hockey Centre (9.30am Monday AEST)
Profiles of Tasmanian Olympians can be found at:
http://www.tis.tas.gov.au/2016_olympic_games/athlete_profiles