Arden alumni talks about his journey to joining the country’s best hockey players

Ben Craig’s journey to the Kookaburras wasn’t about talent- it was all thanks to hard work

Former Arden Anglican School student Ben Craig playing for the Kookaburras in the Trans-Tasman Trophy. Pictures: Planet Hockey

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Ben Craig’s journey to the Kookaburras certainly wasn’t an easy one, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The former Arden Anglican School student made his debut for the Australian hockey team last month at the Trans-Tasman Trophy in Auckland followed by the International Festival of Hockey Four Nations series in Melbourne, marking the fulfilment of a dream that had been long in the making.

“I remember feeling jittery the day before the squad was named. I remember getting up at 10:30pm and going to get a thickshake because I was too nervous and excited, reminding me of what it used to feel like on the night before Christmas.

“When the team was published it was ... surreal.”

Ben’s quest to represent his country in the sport he has loved since he was five is just like Rocky- if the movie was just an hour and a half long training montage.

There was no fast-track to success for the Ryde Premier League captain, every step on his journey has been a struggle.

“I was never even close to being the most talented or gifted player,” Ben said.

Craig credits his success on the pitch to his hard work off it.

“Many athletes are fast tracked through institutes and national programs on their way to becoming a Kookaburra. I had none of that.

“I made the team quite simply through working harder. Through hours of pushing myself to run as far as I could between cones on a hockey field, I made myself fitter than almost every other player in Australia.

“For the last two years I trained five times a week, meaning I would train at night, go to bed, wake up at 5am and do it again — and then get through work and university.

“But it is far better to be known as a hard worker than talented.”

Juggling hockey with a double degree in law and international studies at the University of Sydney has meant many late nights and early mornings.

But for Ben, being able to represent his country in the world’s top-ranking team has made all that effort and sacrifice worth it.

“To be called a Kookaburra is an honour that everyone in hockey understands.

“The culture and values they have are so motivating, indeed elusive in the modern world of elite sport.

“It almost carries a mythical connotation of success, achievement and hard work.”