Kookaburra Jake Harvie determined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps

As a kid Jake Harvie used to slip on his grandfather’s Olympic hockey blazers - after missing out in Tokyo he is determined to get his own for Paris.

Most Olympians are inspired to compete at the Games after watching their heroes stand on a podium on TV – not Jake Harvie.

The Kookaburras defender has wanted to be an Olympian for as long as he can remember – thanks to his grandfather Gordon Pearce (his mum’s father).

He came close to achieving his dream back in 2021 – but wasn’t named on the team bound for Tokyo.

Pearce, who migrated from India when he was a child, represented Australia in hockey at three Olympics – 1956, 1960 and 1968 – coming home from the Mexico Games with a silver medal around his neck.

The blazers from each of his Games are still hanging in his cupboard.

Harvie and his younger brother Tom used to love visiting and pulling on the blazers.

Jake Harvie in action against Ireland at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar of FIH Hockey Pro League (M) 2023/24 on 13 February 2024. ©Adimazes

It was listening to his grandfather talk about his experiences playing hockey for Australia that led Harvie to want to do the same.

“There was always a part of me that thought about how cool it was hearing about grandad’s history,” Harvie said.

“He has very fond memories of playing for Australia, so part of me always wanted to do that.”

Growing up in a country town, two hours from Perth, there were few sports Harvie didn’t try – it was hockey he fell in love with.

“There was never any pressure to do hockey but for me there was certainly that little bit of inspiration and we ended up following in his footsteps,” Harvie said.

Harvie made his Kookaburras debut in 2017 as a 19-year-old.

When Harvie opened the email with the team list for the Tokyo Games and didn’t see his name on it he was disappointed.

Harvie is hoping to overcome the disappointment of missing out in Tokyo by making the Paris 2024 team. Picture: Simon Watts/www.bwmedia.co.nz

“It’s the only thing I’ve missed out on since I’ve been in the program,” Harvie said. “I haven’t missed out on anything since.

“There has been a lot of growth that has come from that for me. No one wants to not get selected but it’s a pretty normal part of most people’s journey and it’s good to test your character and build some resilience.”

It was a setback Harvie’s grandfather also faced in his Olympic career – looked over for the Tokyo Games back in 1964.

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Harvie said it served as a reminder that he didn’t need to put his hockey sticks in a box under his bed.

“I knew I was never going to quit hockey. I’m not going to let another person, whether that be a coach or someone else, decide on when I get to stop playing and stop enjoying the game,” Harvie said.

“There were challenging emotions and it took me a period of time to work through that but there was never any doubt in my mind that I was going to stop playing because of one setback.”

In a bid to get back in the squad Harvie did what Hockey Australia staff had previously advised against – extra sessions.

“I’ve always loved doing the extra work,” Harvie said.

“That was something that in my first few years in the national program I was being encouraged not to do by staff due to load management and being a young player. They obviously had good intentions in mind but for me it really took away my satisfaction with the game.

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“I think I’ve really enjoyed my hockey even more since leaning into that a bit more. I’m doing more than I ever had in the past but I’m enjoying it even more.”

The Kookaburras Olympic team will be announced in late June.

There are few opportunities left for Harvie to put his best foot forward. The first is next week when the men’s team take on India in a five-game series in Perth.

Then a trip to Europe.

“There’s no real finish line for me,” Harvie said.

“I’m really just trying to chase my potential each day and improve, that’s going to put me in the best position to add as much value to the team as I can in Paris if I get the opportunity.”

Originally published as Kookaburra Jake Harvie determined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps