Role Reversal But Men And Women Still Have That Golden Glow
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday July 4, 2002
For once, the Kookaburras are rated higher than the Hockeyroos, writes Liz Hannan.
Something extraordinary has happened in Australian hockey, something wholly unexpected. For the first time in memory, the Kookaburras are heading into a major tournament on a firmer footing than the Hockeyroos, who have long been the darlings of the Australian public.
Both teams are favourites to win Commonwealth Games gold in Manchester (there will, after all, be no Germans, no Dutch, no Argentinians), but it is the men who have created the greater buzz since the Sydney Olympics, which heralded widespread retirements from both camps.
The Kookaburras, by virtue of claiming silver behind Germany in the World Cup in March, are No2 in the world.
And the Hockeyroos? For the first time in eight years, they have been knocked from their perch, finding themselves in the unfamiliar third spot when rankings for November's World Cup were released last month.
Each team is now more youth than experience, both have a new coach, each is rebuilding towards Athens. But suddenly the Kookaburras have emerged from one of the biggest shadows in sport and Manchester is the perfect opportunity to start building their own relationship with the Australian public.
Hockey was not played at the Commonwealth Games until 1998, when 12 teams did battle for both the men's and women's titles. Twelve has become eight for Manchester, weakening the men's tournament in particular, which will be without India or Malaysia.
The men's semi-finalists are expected to be Australia, South Africa, England and the unpredictable Pakistanis.
The women's semi-finals should feature Australia, England, New Zealand and possibly South Africa or Scotland. While the Australians are clear favourites for both gold medals, the greatest threat could come from the English, who enjoy rare insights into the workings of the green and gold.
The English women are coached by Tricia Heberle, who has a long association with Australian hockey. She coached the Adelaide Suns in the national league and was employed for several years as video technician to the Hockeyroos, up to and including the Sydney Olympics.
On the flip side, Australian men's coach Barry Dancer coached the English men at the Sydney Olympics, before returning to Australia to take over the reins of the Kookaburras.
Much has been made of the relative inexperience of the Hockeyroos. Of the 16 players who won gold at the Sydney Olympics, only five will play in Manchester strikers Katrina Powell (now captain), Nikki Hudson (v-c) and Julie Towers, goalkeeper Rachel Imison and defender Angie Skirving.
The sixth survivor of that team, brilliant midfielder Alyson Annan, is not eligible for Australian selection until next year because she failed to play in this year's national hockey league, choosing to stay and study in the Netherlands, where she lives with her partner, former Dutch women's captain Carole Thate.
But the presence of four seasoned players who missed selection for Sydney 2000 but were undeterred Louise Dobson (vice-captain), Bianca Langham- Pritchard, Brooke Morrison and Karen Smith strengthens the team.
Skirving, the reigning international young player of the year, said the new-look team was not burdened by the reputation of the all-conquering Hockeyroos, who ruled world hockey from 1993 to 2000.
And so to Manchester, via practice matches in Germany for the men and the Netherlands for the women.
THE STARS
Nikki Hudson: with electrifying speed and shock-blonde hair Hudson became the darling of the home crowd at the Sydney Olympics, finishing as the tournament's top-scorer. The 25-year-old striker resumes training this week after a stress fracture in the foot and should be fully fit for the Games. After the team's shock defeat to South Korea last month, coach David Bell said it missed Hudson's speed and skills in the circle.
Brent Livermore: to many Australians, Livermore is best known as the abject figure on his knees at the Sydney Olympics after he failed to convert his chance in the penalty shoot-out and Australia's quest for gold was over. Australian player of the year in 2001, he directs the attack and strengthens the defence through the middle of the pitch. Although no longer vice-captain, his leadership is vital. A veteran of 126 internationals, the 25-year-old will have plenty to prove in Manchester. Expect a strong showing.
© 2002 Sydney Morning Herald