Sports fanatics in for a show with inaugural International Hockey Pro League

Aussie Kookaburra Tom Craig believes sports fans are in for a show on Saturday as Sydney Olympic Park hosts Sydney’s debut International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League matches.

Kookaburra Tom Craig has hailed the inaugural FIH Pro League as a huge success on the eve of the tournament’s first matches in Sydney. Picture: Quinn Rooney

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Kookaburra Tom Craig has hailed the inaugural International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League as a huge success ahead of Australia’s first competition match in Sydney on Saturday.

The Ryde-Hunters Hill Hockey Club representative will be among the Aussie men taking on Spain in this weekend’s international clash at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre.

“I think (the Pro League) is fantastic,” Craig said.

After a slow start to the competition, Craig is confident that the Aussie men are finding form at the right time. Picture: Daniel Carson

“The aim is to get more interest in the sport and judging by the crowd numbers, we’re definitely getting that.

“The one-off matches mean people come out (to) watch and support us, which is great. “Having it televised on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports is fantastic because people who don’t get to the games, Australia wide or globally, can still watch.”

After a slow start to the competition, which included a 5-5 draw with the Netherlands and 4-1 loss to Belgium, Craig said the Aussies had started to find some form at a good time.

Kaitlin Nobbs of Australia in action against Great Britain. The Aussie women will also be taking the pitch this weekend against the United States. Picture: Daniel Carson

“Coming off the World Cup campaign, we’ve found we had some rust in the first few games,” he said.

“We’re on a bit of a roll at the moment with the last two results against Germany and Great Britain.

“Early on, they’re one-off games so we need to get used to that.

“How teams get used to going out and performing in a one-off, instead of going and performing towards a final is pretty key. We’re figuring out how to do that.”

Saturday’s action will also feature the Hockeyroos taking on the US.

For tickets go to ticketbooth.com.au

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