Jeremy Hayward to lead Kookaburras in Top End based Oceania Cup
Kookaburra’s captain Jeremy Hayward has put his support behind the Territory Stingers push to join the national HockeyOne competition as the Oceania Cup takes place in Darwin.
Kookaburra’s captain Jeremy Hayward has put his support behind the Territory Stingers’ push to join the national HockeyOne competition as the Oceania Cup takes place in Darwin.
International hockey has returned to the NT for the first time in eight years as the Hockeyroos take on New Zealand in the crucial qualifying tournament.
However, as it stands the Territory is still not a part of the national competition, harming pathways and forcing the NT to seek opportunities elsewhere, such as Malaysia.
Territorian Jeremy Hayward is now the co-captain of the national side and a keen supporter of helping his home region find a way to national recognition.
And it’s an ambition of his, as it was his brother Leon Hayward, to play for and represent the Territory team.
“We’re trying hard to get the Territory Stingers into the HockeyOne,” he said ahead of the first match of the Oceania Cup.
“There’s a few guys interested in coming up and playing for the Stingers, we’ll get them into the HockeyOne, that’s a guarantee.
“This is where the dream started for me, I saw the 2004 Athens team come through and they were eventual gold medallists.
“I was only young back then but it’s worked out for me and my dreams and I’m lucky enough now to be in a position to do the same thing and inspire.”
As part of the Territory visit hundreds of local kids will have the unique opportunity to meet their hockey heroes at the MWT Hockey Centre as part of the Adina Community Clinic.
Adina Community Clinics are held across the country and are free to register kids to see and learn from some of their hockey heroes.
They are the introduction to Hookin2Hockey, Hockey Australia’s national participation program for 5-12 year olds.
“Adina Community Clinics are all about creating inclusive, memorable experiences for our next generation of hockey heroes, and we’re proud to support Hockey Australia in bringing this energy to Darwin,” said Adina Darwin Waterfront general manager Brett Skinner.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the joy on kids’ faces as they learn new skills and connect with elite athletes.”
The clinic will feature Hockeyroos, Jade and Maddi Smith, Kookaburras Joel Rintala and Anand Gupte as well as Territory Stingers and recently retired Hockeyroos local star Brooke Peris.
Oceania Cup to give Kookaburras’ captain ‘full circle moment’
Kookaburras co-captain Jeremy Hayward will enjoy a full circle moment as he leads his side on the very field his hockey journey started.
The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos will defend their Oceania Cup titles against New Zealand as international hockey returns to the Top End for the first time in eight years.
For Hayward the contest will be a sentimental one just as much as a competitive one as he looks to inspire the next generation of Territory players.
“It’s good to be home, to play international on the very field I started on is a full circle moment and I’m excited for what’s ahead,” Hayward said.
“It’s where the dream started, I grew up on these pitches and I was pretty much raised by this hockey community and they’ve welcomed me back with open arms.
“To play for Australia with the captain’s armband on is something special and something I will remember for a long time.
“Just playing in front of your people and to inspire these kids, who are just like I was, and give them a pathway to follow, it’s going to be a sentimental moment.”
The three double header match days from September 4-7 will take place in Darwin promising a vocal crowd coming off the Festival of Hockey matches.
Hayward is expecting a fast and furious approach from his men against a Blacksticks side that have spent the past 10 days in Darwin to acclimatise.
“There’s a new exciting energy which is keeping me on my toes so we’re going to be fast and furious against a tough Blacksticks side,” he said.
Our sights are always on the world cup, these sorts of games are a good experience for that so we can develop our strengths which is our speed and versatility.”
Tasmania’s Hayden Beltz said the series would be a really good test after a tough trip to Europe that had built the squad’s depth.
Beltz said he was getting his head around the time left to the World Cup and that every match from now on was a crucial one particularly with the Cup being his first international series in Australia.
“I try not to look too far ahead but it’s something that mentally and physically you start preparing for a year out,
“I’ve got to make sure I’m playing really good hockey to put myself in contention, but the World Cup is where I want to be for sure.
“These will be my first games on Australian soil, it’s really exciting to be here and my mum will fly up so I get to play in front of her.
“Being part of an 18 is something I haven’t experienced so there’s a bit of extra pressure but that’s the sort of thing I really like and hopefully I rise to the occasion.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Jeremy Hayward to lead Kookaburras in Top End based Oceania Cup
Creped crusader vows to fight guilty verdict
