Territorian Jeremy Hayward scores the most goals at the Hockey World Cup in India

The mother of Territorian brothers playing at the Hockey World Cup has revealed how their childhood dreams were born in Darwin.

A sporting journey that began at Leanyer Primary School more than two decades ago could culminate in a talented Territorian’s second World Cup title to go with his dual Commonwealth gold.

International hockey player and NT product Jeremy Hayward, 29, has dominated the tournament so far in India, scoring a hat-trick in his first game against France on his way to becoming the most prolific so far with seven goals from just four games.

The Kookaburras, ranked number one in the world, will now play in their 12th straight World Cup semi final against Germany on January 27 in Bhubaneshwar.

Meanwhile, Jeremy’s older brother Leon, 32, representing his mother Ellie’s native New Zealand, was bundled out in a quarterfinal loss to Belgium on January 24.

Jeremy Hayward celebrates after scoring goal for Australia at the World Cup. Picture: WorldSportPics/Frank Uijlenbroek.

Preparing for yet another World Cup semi, Ellie said her son, who also won an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo, had been reasonably relaxed.

“We’ll go over for 20 minutes and have a coffee and a chat and then leave,” Ellie said from India.

“He just goes with the moment, whatever’s happening is happening.”

Ellie said she was immensely proud of her sons’ achievements so far, with Jeremy winning back-to-back Commonwealth Games golds last year.

“They’ve both put in a lot of hard work,” Ellie said.

“And how many kids get to fulfil their childhood dreams?

“Both of them, all they wanted to do was play hockey.”

Ellie remembered Jeremy – who played in a World Cup-winning campaign in 2014 – drawing a picture of himself playing hockey in the early years of Leanyer PS when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up.

Ellie arrived in the Territory in January the same year Cyclone Tracy wreaked havoc: “Our first Christmas was one to remember you could say.”

Years later, the Hayward brothers would play hockey at Waratah, with Leon, now a chartered accountant, also spending time at Banks.

Jeremy (left) and Leon when they both wore Kookaburra colours. Picture: Nick Jones

Ellie said Jeremy, who enjoys golf, fashion and is a relief teacher in Perth, loved growing up in the Territory, playing cricket at Tracy Village and Aussie Rules at Nightcliff.

“(Jeremy) had great mates, he had a great time in Darwin, he’s still got the same mates,” she said.

“The lifestyle up there encouraged him to have a crack at everything.

“They played an enormous amount of different sports, it wasn’t just hockey.”

Ellie and husband Brad would eventually leave Darwin around 2015, several years after Leon and Jeremy departed for Perth chasing their hockey dreams: “The only reason (we left) is because the kids never came home.”

Leon (left) and Jeremy Hayward playing for the Kookaburras at the International Super Series in Perth. Picture: Supplied.

After gaining 13 national caps, Leon would eventually represent New Zealand due to a couple of forces beyond his control – like a wealth of goal keepers in the country – along with stints professionally in Scotland, Spain and France.

She said she felt no nerves when the brothers played each other in a Trans–Tasman clash.

“I can’t lose can I? It’s happened a few times,” Ellie said when asked if those games made her nervous.

“As long as Leon stops as many as Jeremy flicks, it’s all good.

“As kids they were extremely competitive. They’ve settled down a bit now (laughs).”

Originally published as Territorian Jeremy Hayward scores the most goals at the Hockey World Cup in India