Rio on horizon for Kookaburras, Hockeyroos
The Kookaburras are trying to stay world No.1 and the Hockeyroos want to rise from No.2, but neither have qualified for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The two national teams gathered at Perth Hockey Stadium yesterday to welcome Singapore-based The Project Group as a new major partner.
Kookaburras coach Graham Reid and his Hockeyroos counterpart Adam Commens have their eyes firmly on the World League Semifinals in Antwerp in June where they can book their place at Rio with a top-three finish.
Commens has overseen rapid improvement in the past 18 months, but he wants more.
He said the team’s ability to finish off in front of goal was the key to taking the next step.
“We’d love for it to be that year (Hockeyroos get to No.1),” Commens said. “We have closed the gap on the Netherlands.
“What we do know though is that the other teams behind us are really working hard to close the gap.”
Commens said the squad was still evolving as he worked out what would be the best combination in Rio.
“You’re trying to work out what will be your strongest team in 18 months,” he said.
Reid has been in the post for nearly seven months in the wake of Ric Charlesworth’s retirement.
He admitted a slight step back for the world’s premier team had been inevitable, but expected superstar Jamie Dwyer to play in Antwerp if fully fit.
“Whenever you change things in a group, that’s sort of standard,” Reid said.
“There were different voices, different messages.”
