Sporting stars to watch in Olympic year from Moreton Bay Region

The countdown is on for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, for Matthew Swann and other athletes linked to our region. The hockey star is a strong chance of playing at his third Olympics.

Australian hockey player Matthew Swann. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

FORMER Redcliffe Leagues Hockey Club player Matthew Swann has been named in the 27-player Kookaburras squad ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and is a strong chance of representing Australia for a third time.

The veteran would bring plenty of experience to the team, with almost 200 international caps including two Olympics and two Commonwealth Games, but that’s never a guarantee.

“There’s 27 guys who are all very talented and it really depends on where the game of hockey is at and who’s playing, how your body’s going and the style of play the coach wants,” Matthew says.

He was part of the team that earned bronze at the London Olympics and was knocked out in the quarterfinals in Rio. Matthew’s confident the new-look squad is in a good position to be more competitive in Tokyo. “After Rio, there were a number of experienced and really talented hockey players that retired,” he says.

Matthew Swann in action in 2010. Picture: Grant Treeby

The team has gone through a period of rebuilding, with significant progress made particularly in the past two years.

“Under Colin Batch, we’ve found a new style of play and the young guys are really stepping up,” he explains.

“We’re beating teams like Belgium (2018 World Cup winners) and Holland again.”

Matthew says Belgium and Australia are regarded as the top two teams in the world at present, but you can never discount Holland, Germany, Spain and Argentina.

The halfback credits his three years at Redcliffe for helping him take his game to the next level. “They looked after me … they helped me progress from being a state player to the national men’s team,” Matthew says.

But is was family who introduced him to the game and encouraged him to play when he was five years old and living in Mackay.

“I’ve got two older sisters who played. I was too young to play organised sport so I went down and started running around and joined in I guess,” he recalls.

“My parents were both hockey players as well. Dad played for Gympie and Brisbane and Mum for Gympie and Brisbane as well.

Former Redcliffe Leagues Hockey Club player Matthew Swann. Picture: Treeby Images.

As Matthew ponders the prospect of a third Olympic Games, he explains why it’s such a unique experience.

“You feel very privileged to be able to represent your family, friends and supporters. You’re playing for something much bigger than you, so it’s also a very special feeling,” he says. “You’re coming up against people that are like-minded that are feeling the same feeling you are so it’s always going to be a great competition. They’re always hard-fought battles.”

He was due to head in to an Olympic preparation camp on December 2. The squad will then build a platform for Tokyo, with international matches and targeted training.

Matthew, 30, says he’s not thinking too far beyond the Games, or about his playing future after the closing ceremony.

“All I know at the moment is that I’m completely focused on Tokyo and ensuring the team is in the best spot to be successful at that event,” he says.

While competing, Matthew’s finished a commerce degree and is now working for accountancy firm Price Waterhouse Coopers.

He says they have been supportive of his professional development on and off the field. While he’s been training and playing for Australia, he’s also been studying to be a chartered accountant.

Matthew says he’s proof athletes, no matter what sport they’re playing, can juggle work, study and competition so that transition post-sport is a smooth one that doesn’t start at the end of your career.

Australian Women's National Rugby 7's player Evania Pelite. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SPORTING STARS TO WATCH AHEAD OF TOKYO 2020

Hockey: Matthew Swann, Jacob Anderson, Daniel Beale, Jodie Kenny

Softball: Jade Wall, Carmelle Sorensen, Chelsea Forkin

Shooting: Paul Adams

Baseball: Sam Holland (pictured below), Wade Dutton

Athletics: Mitchell Cooper, Darcy Roper

Rugby: Evania Pelite (pictured below)

Trampoline: Harrison Lee

Soccer: Brandon Borrello

NOTE: Qualification and team selection is ongoing and this is not a complete, or definitive list