Australia: Batch names strong 2024 Kookaburras squad ahead of Olympic year

Head Coach, Colin Batch has named a strong and experienced 27-player Kookaburras squad for 2024, in what will be a stellar year for the sport, starting with season five of the FIH Pro League followed by the much-anticipated Paris Olympic Games. 

Batch has stuck with much of the squad named in 2023, following impressive performances by the team, highlighted by their Oceania Cup win against New Zealand in August, which directly qualified the team for the 2024 Olympic Games. 

Showcasing the widespread appeal of hockey across Australia, the 2024 squad features players from all over the country, from the bush to the beach, with eight players from NSW, seven from Queensland, four from Western Australia, three from Victoria, three from Tasmania, and one each from the NT and ACT.  

With 13 players having earned over 100 caps for the national side, the squad is full of experience. This includes stalwart hero, Eddie Ockenden who, with 427 caps to his name, is in contention to become the first Australian hockey player to compete at five summer Olympic Games and equal 6th for most Olympic Games appearances by any Australian.

Other key additions to the squad include Queenslander Corey Weyer, who finds himself back in the Kookaburras squad following his recent impressive stint with 2023 Men’s JDH Hockey One League Champions, the Brisbane Blaze. Weyer made his debut for the Kookaburras back in 2017 and racked up 43 appearances for the national side between then and 2020.

In-form goalkeeper, Ash Thomas, has also been named following a stellar season with the JDH Hockey One League Men’s runners up, NSW Pride. Hailing from Baulkham Hills in northwest Sydney, Thomas made his debut for the Kookaburras earlier this year, after being called in to the squad for the FIH Pro League series held in Europe in June. 

“Ash (Thomas) comes into the squad after some impressive performances, and as the standout goalie across the past two Hockey One seasons. Following his debut earlier this year, he continues to refine and develop his performance, and therefore joins us full of confidence,” Kookaburras Head Coach, Colin Batch said.  

“Corey (Weyer) was a well-deserved selection too following his Hockey One performances this year. Despite not being included in the squad this time last year, he has since regained enthusiasm for hockey and developed his physical capabilities to force his way back in the squad. It’s a great example of self-drive that has been rewarded with another opportunity. 

“The selection for the team to head to Paris next year is still very open. Players will need to perform consistently both at training and in matches leading up to the Olympics to secure their position. As we discovered this year, there is a fine line between the Kookaburras Squad and the Tier One National Development Squad members and, if required, we will select from the Tier One squad to find our best team for Paris.”

The Kookaburras will kick off the 2024 year with season five of the FIH Pro League to be played from Sunday 11th February – Sunday 25th February, with matches against Spain, the Netherlands, India and FIH Pro League newcomers, Ireland, all to be played in India. They will then head to Belgium and England for their next season five series against Belgium, Argentina, Great Britain and Germany from Wednesday 29th May – Wednesday 12th June. All matches will be streamed live and FREE on 7Plus. 

The Kookaburras will then look to go one better in Paris after claiming the silver medal at the last summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. The team has won one gold, four silver and five bronze medals since Australia’s first men’s team competed at the Olympics in 1956. 
 

Kookaburras 2024 Squad