Rejuvenated Hockeyroos and Kookaburras tackle World Cup with fresh perspectives

Source : ABC NEWS

Kookaburras midfielder Liam Henderson has the attitude of a winner.

It is a confidence that comes with being part of a team used to sustained excellence, backed by a growing reputation as one of hockey’s global rising stars. 

And in his second year on the national team, the 22-year-old is ready to deliver at the World Cup which begins this weekend. 

“We think we can win it. And if other teams don’t think we can, we’ll just prove them wrong,” he told ABC Sport from the team’s base in Belgium.

The Kookaburras are ranked fourth in the world, and won the last of their three World Cup titles in 2014. 

Recent FIH Pro League victories over the top two ranked teams, Belgium and Netherlands, mean Henderson’s confidence is justified.

“Everyone brings their natural game. We’re a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

“The last two games we played against the two world’s best, we had two wins and two losses. We can beat them. And if it’s our day, anything can happen.”

The team’s last major tournament was the Paris 2024 Olympics, which ended in an uncharacteristic quarter-final exit. 

There has been significant change since then with a new coach, Mark Hager, and the retirements of some of their longest serving players including Eddie Ockenden, Aran Zalewski, and Andrew Charter. 

But a hallmark of the Kookaburras throughout their history has been a constant ability to regenerate and maintain their position amongst the world’s top teams.

“As a hockey community, we’re always watching our national teams. And when you watch them, something you aspire to do is just be in that team,” Henderson said.

“And once you’re there, I think every chance you get, you just want to work as hard as possible.

“I think another piece of that is the group that we have at the moment are all so close. 

“We’re such good mates, all of us, and such a welcoming team that you just want to play for each other. It’s something you really want to be a part of.”

Hockeyroos to rise up

The men’s tournament will be played in Wavre, just outside of Brussels, played concurrently with the women’s event in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

That is where the Hockeyroos are based, led by the most experienced player in the team, co-captain Kaitlin Nobbs, heading to her third World Cup.

She is part of one of the sport’s most illustrious dynasties, with both parents having represented Australia, alongside her grandmother, aunty, and uncle — the Kookaburras coach.

“Coming into this one it marks the 40th anniversary from when my mum went to a World Cup as well representing the Hockeyroos,” Nobbs told ABC Sport. 

“So looking at the past and reflecting and seeing where we’ve come from, where the Hockeyroos have come from until now, it means the world to be able to go out and represent the team and captain them.”

Her dad, Michael Nobbs, died earlier this year, and has provided her with extra motivation to excel.

“I think he would be so chuffed that I’m playing and enjoying the game and trying to take the most out of it that I can,” she said.

“He loved hockey more than anyone and loved watching me play. So I’m sure he’ll be watching and following along from wherever he is.”

The Hockeyroos are ranked eighth in the world, and after winning the last of their three Olympic golds in 2000, have not managed to reach those heights again, although bronze at the 2022 World Cup was a highlight.

Katrina Powell took over as coach just before the Tokyo Olympics in the wake of systemic cultural issues in the women’s program, and after stepping down last year, she was replaced by former South Africa men’s international Rhett Halkett. 

“I think we are more than capable of playing in the finals for a medal,” Nobbs said. 

“Rhett comes from a bit of a European background, so we’ve changed up how we’ve played in the past year. 

“This year in itself has been enough stress for the next four years or the last four years because we’ve had to play Pro League, qualify for this World Cup, change our structure, change our way of play. 

“So it has been a crazy journey, but I think all of those things give you experience and evidence leading into big tournaments like this that you can lean on.”

Growing the game 

The interest in hockey is at a different level in Europe, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands, and it is something Henderson is embracing.

“Just walking around the streets, you’re seeing billboards, you’re seeing [players] on bus stops,” Henderson said.

“I think the general population know more about the game.”

Henderson has also started to make a name for himself in India, another hockey hotbed, after fetching the highest price at the Hockey India League auction last year — around $71,500.

While not in the same ballpark as the IPL, it is a lucrative league for Australians, who usually juggle studying or work alongside playing.

“I was actually in the gym with a few of my teammates when [the auction] was going down,” Henderson said.

“It was more just shock. I’d only played 11 international games at that stage. And I think just showed potentially what people think I can do. 

“The team obviously were very successful, we won a tournament. It was such a valuable experience for me. You can’t put a price tag on that.” 

Henderson and Nobbs also play in Australia’s domestic league, Hockey One, and hope to see its continued growth.

“It’s finally a competition that gets talked about, I think, internationally and really good players from abroad wanting to come over and be part of that competition,” Nobbs said.

“We obviously compete with a lot of sports in Australia, cricket, soccer, netball, everything. 

“So to have a product like that growing and something exciting that young kids can come and watch is definitely a good thing.”