Hockey makes its 24th appearance (for men) and 11th appearance (for women) at the Tokyo Olympics in what promises to be one of the most unpredictable, intriguing tournaments ever held in the sport’s history.
Overview
The Olympics is the pinnacle of international hockey and with the lack of international competition since the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a high level of unknown heading into both the men’s and women’s competitions.
A total of 36 athletes (18 in each team) have been selected to represent Australia in men’s and women’s hockey in Tokyo, including 21 debutants.
The Kookaburras, chasing their second Olympic gold medal, enter the tournament as the world number one ranked team. Colin Batch’s team has only played six internationals (all against New Zealand) since March last year. The Kookaburras arrive in Tokyo in peak fitness and with an element of the unknown due to the lack of international matches coming in.
Under the guidance of head coach and dual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell, the Hockeyroos will be hoping the element of the unknown works in their favour in Tokyo. Currently ranked second behind the Netherlands, the Hockeyroos have been building well under Powell, who has only been in the job since April.
Similarly to the Kookaburras, the Hockeyroos have had limited internationals in the past 18 months. With a blend of youth and experience, they will be out to surprise as they attempt to finish on the dais for the first time since their gold in 2000.
Hockey Team
Ones To Watch
Kookaburras
Eddie Ockenden – The Australian games record holder, the 34 year old Kookaburras co-captain amazingly continues to get better with age. He has the ability to make the difficult look simple. A proud Tasmanian, Ockenden desperately wants to be part of a Kookaburras’ Olympic gold medal winning team.
Aran Zalewski – The Kookaburras other co-captain who heralds from Margaret River in WA, Zalewski does the basics as well as any player in the world and is an integral piece of the Kookaburras midfield. Aran was named the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural FIH Pro League.
Blake Govers – With 89 goals in 103 appearances heading into his second Olympics, Govers is a goal scoring weapon. An expert drag flicker from penalty corners, the Wollongong native is one of the most formidable strikers in world hockey.
Dylan Martin – The bolter in the team. Having gorwn up in Wagga Wagga, Martin only made his debut in May and had played only four internationals before being named in the Olympic team. Considering the depth in the Kookaburras’ ranks, he has proven he is more than capable at the highest level.
Hockeyroos
Jane Claxton – The South Australian epitomises elite and high performance. With 187 internationals under her belt, Claxton is supremely fit and leads by example on and off the field. This will be her second Olympics.
Stephanie Kershaw – After undergoing two knee reconstructions and missing out in 2016, Kershaw finally gets to fulfil her dream of competing at an Olympics. A smooth and skilful midfielder, Kershaw’s technical acumen and ability to go past defenders puts her among the best.
Amy Lawton – The 19 year old Victorian is touted by many as the next big thing in Australian women’s hockey. With maturity beyond her years, Lawton has made a seamless transition to the international stage after making her Hockeyroos debut on Anzac Day 2019.
Brooke Peris – Cousin of Olympic gold medallist Nova, Peris has been a constant in the Hockeyroos since making her debut in 2013. A creative and talented player in the attacking half of the field, Peris has the potential to influence a game.
The Format
A goal is scored when the ball is played within the circle by an attacker and does not travel outside the circle before passing completely over the goal line. Goals can be scored from general play, penalty corners or penalty strokes.
In the preliminary round of the Tokyo 2020 hockey competition, 12 teams are divided into two pools of six. Each team plays every other team in its pool.
Men’s competition
Pool A: Australia, Argentina, India, Spain, New Zealand, Japan
Pool B: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa
Women’s competition
Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, India, South Africa
Pool B: Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Spain, China, Japan
The top four teams in each pool proceed to the quarterfinals. The winners of the quarterfinals progress to the semifinals, with the winners to meet in the gold medal match. The losers of the semifinals will play for the bronze medal.
What's The Story?
Kookaburras co-captain Eddie Ockenden will compete at his fourth Olympic Games, joining Eric Pearce, Liane Tooth, Rechelle Hawkes, Jay Stacy, Michael York, Jamie Dwyer, Mark Knowles and Ric Charlesworth as those to represent Australia in hockey at four Olympics.
Ockenden holds the overall games record for an Australian hockey player, having made 372 international appearances for his country heading into these Olympics.
On the women’s side, Tokyo 2020 will be Emily Chalker’s third Olympic campaign, the veteran is set to make her 250th appearance in the Hockeyroos’ opening match of the tournament against Spain.
The Facts
- The Kookaburras open the Tokyo 2020 hockey tournament against host nation Japan on 24 July. The Men’s competition runs from 24 July with medal matches on 5 August.
- The Women’s competition also begins on 24 July with medals decided on 6 August. The Hockeyroos’ first match is against Spain on 25 July.
- The Tokyo 2020 Hockey Tournament will be played at the purpose-built Oi Hockey Stadium, a state-of-the-art complex constructed at the Oi Pier Ocean Park in 2019.
- Prior to being knocked out in the Quarter Finals in Rio, the Kookaburras had medalled at every Olympics from 1992-2012.
- The Hockeyroos are Australia’s most successful women’s Olympic team, having won gold in Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.
- Opponents to look out for; Men’s – Belgium, Argentina, India, Netherlands Women’s – Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Great Britain
#HaveAGo at Hockey
Hockey
IS HOCKEY SAFE?
Yes. The rules of the sport prevent dangerous play. In addition, there are modified games and equipment to assist in providing a safe experience for all ages.
DO I NEED EQUIPMENT?
No. Most centres, clubs or associations will have spare equipment for you to try the sport before needing to purchase anything.
WHAT AGE CAN I START
Hockey has modified games, played on varying field sizes commencing from 1/8 of a field. This is generally for players aged 7 years and under. It becomes incrementally bigger from Under 9s and Under 11s until they start playing full field from Under 13s. Hockey also has many social formats that cater for all ages and abilities.
Hockey Snapshot
