Ryde-Hunters Hill Kookaburra Tim Brand nominated for FIH Rising Star award

Despite falling short of his gold-medal ambitions in his World Cup debut last month, Kookaburra Tim Brand is more motivated than ever to succeed in the green and gold.

Kookaburra Tim Brand has been nominated for the FIH Rising Star award. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

• Beecroft Rugby Club's clubhouse set for $125,000 upgrade
• Lunchtime football program launches in Macquarie Park

One month on from the Kookaburras’ 4-3 penalty shootout loss against the Netherlands in the semi-final of the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup, the pain is still very raw for Ryde-Hunters Hill junior Tim Brand.

“The whole squad was completely gutted after (the defeat),” Brand said.

Although Australia ultimately managed to salvage a bronze medal from the tournament, it wasn’t the result the 20-year-old was looking for from his world cup debut.

“It was definitely a disappointing end,” he said.

“But it also gives me motivation. The 2020 Olympics is the next goal and this year I’m looking forward to continuing to build personally and as a team.”

The Ryde-Hunters Hill junior scored four goals in his world cup debut last month.

While the team may have fallen short, it was a standout performance from Brand as he finished the tournament with four goals before earning a nomination for the International Hockey Federation’s prestigious Rising Star award.

“It’s pretty unreal (to be nominated),” he said.

“I didn’t expect it at all. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to my teammates though, it comes off the back of good team performances.”

Brand describes 2018 as being one of the biggest years of not only his career, but his life.

After earning a call-up to the Australian squad at the end of 2017, the Netherlands-born Kookaburra made his international debut against Germany in June during the lead-up to the 2018 Hockey Champions Trophy.

Brand then helped Australia to their 15th Champions Trophy title in front of extended family in Breda, Netherlands.

“It was certainly a bit daunting, but very exciting as well,” Brand said of his debut in the green and gold.

“The Netherlands put on hockey really well and everyone loves it over there. I’ve got family over there as well, so it was great to have their support.”

With plenty of momentum behind him, Brand is hopeful that he will be able to play in his first major international tournament on home soil next month with the launch of the new FIH Pro-League.

The newly-returfed Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre will host six matches of the elite international competition, which will pit the world’s nine best men’s and women’s teams against each other on a home-and-away basis.

“It would be awesome to play in my home country,” Brand said.

“We don’t often get to play in Australia so I’m really going to be putting my foot forward to try to make the team.

“You’ll be able to see the best teams in the world competing right here in Sydney so I really encourage everyone to come down and check it out.”

For more information on the FIH Pro-League, go to fihproleague.com