Hockey news 2023: Kookaburras announce squad for European leg of FIH Pro League

Respected Kookaburras mentor Colin Batch has rung the changes on the Aussie squad headed to Europe for the FIH Pro League as he searches for the mix that can win gold in Paris.

Michael Randall

@MickRandallHS

2 min read

May 23, 2023 - 8:00PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Blake Govers is one of five high-calibre inclusions in the Kookaburras’ squad. Picture: Adam Head

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Kookaburras coach Colin Batch admits he’s not sure of his best 18 after making nine changes to the squad he will take to the Netherlands and Belgium to take on the top two nations in world hockey at the FIH Pro League.

But he says that’s a great indicator the competition for spots will be red-hot in the lead up to August’s Oceania Cup, which will determine qualification for the Paris Olympics.

The Kookaburras have named a bevy of world class reinforcements with Olympians Tim Brand, Tom Craig, Matt Dawson, Blake Govers and Jeremy Hayward all returning from domestic European duties.

Blake Govers is one of five high-calibre inclusions in the Kookaburras’ squad. Picture: Adam Head

But co-captain Aran Zalewski — a 240-game Tokyo Olympic silver medallist — won’t make the trip after he and wife Teagan, this month, welcomed bouncing baby girl Margot Jane.

Three-game Canberra young gun Davis Atkin returns to the squad while they will blood 27-year-old Hockey One premiership goalkeeper Ash Thomas.

The Kookaburras have left out boom striker Joel Rintala, who made April’s FIH Pro League New Zealand leg his own with seven goals across three games, including two hat tricks, among the nine changes.

Batch said some players who missed out were downcast but stressed the door remained open for them to play a role in the Paris campaign.

They are of Kookaburra Joel Rintala after scoring a goal during an April FIH Pro League clash in New Zealand.

“We have extended opportunities for players to find out exactly where everyone is at … (and) make sure we have the best 18 players for those (Oceania) games,” Batch said.

“Right at this minute I’m not sure who that is.

“It has been a good and interesting opportunity for us to extend the depth of the squad.”

“There are some disappointed guys who played well in New Zealand but aren’t on the European tour, but they are certainly in contention for future selection.”

Thomas comes into the squad for Victorian custodian Johan Durst and will gain valuable experience behind goalkeeping great Andrew Charter.

International rookie Ash Thomas is set to make his Kookaburras debut.

“Ash has been around the group for some time without getting an opportunity,” Batch said.

“We’re giving him an opportunity now and that comes off the back of him performing really well in the Hockey One League last year.

“He was a major part of NSW Pride winning the competition. So this opportunity for him is consistent with opening up selection at this stage.”

The Aussies will play four Pro League games on their European tour, two each against the Netherlands (Eindhoven, June 9-12) and Belgium (Antwerp, June 17-20) before heading to Paris for a pair of FIH-sanctioned internationals against France.