Brent Livermore speaks of Australian hockey outlook for the future after thrilling Olympic final

Olympic hockey final reminds former captain of the lows and highs of the sport as he looks to the next generation of Australian hockey, and how his 2004 gold might not be his last Olympic dream

Brent Livermore has felt the pressure of both winning and losing at the Olympic games; losing a heart-breaking semi-final in 2000, and leading the Kookaburras to a gold medal in 2004.

So he watched the Kookaburras attempt to win Olympic gold with his family on the Gold Coast - and 26 of his close friends.

Those friends were his 2004 winning teammates and other past players, who Zoomed together to experience the game.

Brent Livermore (top left) is watching the Olympic hockey grand final with fellow members of the gold medal winning 2004 Olympic gold medal on Zoom

And just like last time, they rode every piece of play, goal, and the heartbreaking loss.

“We knew it was going to be a strong, really contested battle - it’s the number one and number two team in the world,” he said.

“With team sports, winning the gold medal, it’s difficult - and it’s one achievement to get to the Olympics, and then to get to the final, and then to win gold - it’s very difficult.”

Livermore, who is the head coach of the NSW Institute of Sport hockey squad, had seven players representing Australia. He messaged his troops the next day to give them advice that he’d also learned first hand.

“I told them to celebrate the silver medal - it’s still a massive achievement and they need to enjoy what they’ve done,” he said.

Posted by Brent Livermore on Sunday, January 19, 2020

“But I know they would feel gutted, and if they’re feeling that, I know what that feeling did for me. I told them that for the group going forward it leaves them with that burning desire to progress even further.

“They had 11 players debuting, and those players could go through to Paris easily as well as other guys.

“We’re in a good place, they need to raise the bar now and that’s what we did between 2000 and 2004. We raised the bar continually, pushed each other, and took everyone on the squad on that journey.”

Livermore said it also led him to reflect on what it felt like to win the elusive Olympic gold, and the moment the winning goal was struck.

Brent Livermore celebrates his gold medal after the Kookaburra's win over Netherlands in the mens hockey gold medal game at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

“There’s a euphoria, and excitement that hits when you realise what you’ve achieved, and I’ve still got images of it all around the house,” he said.

“But afterwards, its exhaustion and relief - and it’ll be the same as what those guys would’ve went through - it’s a real rollercoaster and the Olympics is super tough - eight games in 12 days.

“And for us, the emotions were up and down, we had a draw here and there, but we went there to get the result, and when we got it finall it was relief.”

Livermore recalled a moment with rugby legend John Eales, who was part of their support crew in 2004 when extra time was hit.

“I remember walking off the pitch at the end of regular time, and I remember looking up at him and I said ‘It’s not going to happen again’,” Livermore said.

“And we went back out and created history - and this is the next time they’ve made the final 17 years later.”

Mr Livermore said that the playing group had been planning a 20-year-reunion at the Paris Olympics, and hoped that would be inspiration also for the current group to take out the gold.

“It’d be great to pass the baton on like that,” he said.

In the meantime, there is another Livermore looking to soon join the ranks of an Olympian, with Livermore’s daughter Kyra, who was with him in Athens in 2004 as a baby, now a member of the Australian Futures squad.

Could this be the start of a hockey dynasty as Brent Livermore is with then baby Kyra after a gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

“She does have the aspiration, and she wants to go on and see what she can do, but there’s a lot of hard work to go,” Livermore said.

“And we’ve been very careful that there’s no pressure on her ... but she’s on the right pathway.”

And while the Paris games may come a bit too soon, Livermore said the Brisbane Olympics were a very big carrot for her.

“It’d be amazing - my first Olympics was at home in Sydney, and maybe hers too,” he said.

For Livermore, he said he also has his eyes on the Brisbane Olympics, possibly steering a national side.

“It’s definitely my aspiration to coach a national team at an Olympic games, and 2032 got my excitement happening,” he said.

“I know I’m ready and I can do the job, but I’ve got to wait for the right time.

“Maybe with a bit more exposure and development would be my focus over the next period of time and we’ll see where it goes.”

Given Livermore’s rollercoaster of experiences with the sport, it might just be the right fit.