GOULBURN hockey player Glenn Turner said from Perth yesterday that his focus is now firmly on his role in the Australian team for the Rio Olympics.
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“ I am over the moon over my selection as one of the strikers in the Olympic team,” Turner said. “I am excited but unlike the last olympics four years ago I know what my job is in the team and I am stepping up to take the pressure off the other strikers, and put us into a scoring position through penalty corners or shots at goal.
“I know that the team is relying on me to make the breaks and come up with the goods.
“At the moment I am fighting a virus that several of our team have got but I am pretty good and fully committed to the task at hand.”
Triple Olympian, Kookaburra’s captain Mark Knowles said the hard work has only just begun for 16 men’s hockey players selected on Wednesday to take to the pitch at Rio.
The 2016 Australian Olympic men’s hockey team features 10 returning Olympians and six eager debutantes ready to fight together to claim top spot on the dais.
“When we go to the Olympic Games as the Australian men’s hockey team we want to win, we don’t want to get bronze, just make the semis or play off for fifth,” Knowles said.
“I sent every player in the squad a message after the selection memo came out. The most important message I gave was the one I said to those selected, making the team isn’t enough.”
“I’m extremely proud. I’ve been selected for a fourth time and it’s something I never thought I’d have chance to do as Rockhampton country boy.”
Knowles, who became a father for the third time only three weeks ago, knows how special this selection is for the six debutants, reminiscing on his first Games, 12 years ago.
“I think about myself when I was a 20-year-old, in 2004 and how excited they must be. It’s a life-long dream coming true.”
Knowles will lead the side in Brazil, backed by an extremely powerful leadership group. The side will capitalise on the experience of Knowles and fellow triple Olympian Jamie Dwyer, as well as dual bronze medallists Eddie Ockenden and Fergus Kavanagh who will line up for their third Games.
Chris Ciriello, Simon Orchard, Glenn Turner, Matthew Swann, Matt Gohdes and Tim Deavin will all take to the pitch at their second Games, while Blake Govers, Daniel Beale, Jake Whetton, Matthew Dawson, Andrew Charter and Tristan White will don the Olympic uniform for the first time.
At 37 years old Dwyer will make history as Australia’s oldest hockey player at an Olympics.
The team will head into Rio as the number one ranked team in the world. The side recently claimed their 14th Champions Trophy in London and were the 2015 World League Champions.
When the competition begins on August 6 the Aussies will face trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the preliminary round as well as Great Britain, Belgium, Spain and the hosts, Brazil.
The top four from each of two pools will progress to the all-or-nothing quarter finals, with Rio 2016 being the first Olympic Games to feature the new format, all building to the gold medal match on August 18.
Goulburn Mulwaree Councillors have shown their support for Turner, by approving a financial grant of $5000 pending selection in the Olympic Squad.
The grant will now be transferred to Turner to support him and his family throughout the Olympic Games while he is representing Goulburn and Australia.
“This is a truly outstanding achievement considering the adversity Glenn has faced in recent years through injuries. His passion for hockey and competitive spirit is something to be admired, and he is a fantastic ambassador for Goulburn,” Mayor Geoff Kettle said.
“I wish Glenn all the best at the Olympic Games, and I will be watching intently throughout the games in the hope that the Kookaburras improve on their bronze medal in the 2012 London Games – Glenn deserves the Gold medal in what could be his final Olympics!”
Turner said yesterday that following the Olympics he was considering a stint in the Belgium league.