Welch cracks Kookas
JACK Welch is the latest Tasmanian star picked to play hockey at the highest level, named yesterday to make his Kookaburras debut alongside state teammates Josh Beltz and Eddie Ockenden. The trio will contest the Darwin Open and two internationals against Olympic champions Argentina this month in a dream come true for Welch.
JACK Welch has become the latest Tasmanian star to play international hockey, named yesterday to make his Kookaburras debut alongside state teammates Josh Beltz and Eddie Ockenden.
The trio will contest the Darwin Open and two internationals against Olympic champions Argentina this month in a dream come true for Welch.
The 20-year-old revealed he had just got off the phone to his Perth club team coach when he got the surprise call from Kookaburras coach Colin Batch.
“I was letting my club coach know I couldn’t play on the weekend because I’d rolled my ankle at training and I got the call from Batchy,” Welch said.
“He said I’d been picked for the series because there had been a number of injuries and he thought I performed well and consistently at the Under 21 National Championships and at the Australia A series against Malaysia.”
“So, I’ve gotten pretty lucky with the timing and I’m obviously stoked, especially after making the big move to Perth at the start of the year and putting all my focus into my hockey.”
Welch was named player of the tournament as Tasmania secured a historic first National Under-21 men’s title in July and scored in the final two matches of Australia A’s series win in August.
The DiamondBacks product says his ankle will be fine with a short rest and is now aiming to push his case for full-time inclusion in the Kookaburras senior squad after representing the Tassie Tigers in the Australian Hockey League this October.
Beltz, a close friend, also returns to international hockey for the first time since November 2017 after several painful near misses at selection.
“I’m stoked to be given another opportunity to play for the Kookaburras,” Beltz said.
“Any time you get the chance is very special and I’m looking forward to putting in some consistent, high-quality performances and it’s just extra special to be part of Jack’s wellearned debut.”
Ockenden will also continue to rotate the Kookaburras captaincy with Western Australian midfielder Aran Zalewski before a permanent skipper is appointed following the series.
Champions Trophy star Jeremy Edwards has been rested from the 20-man squad, sparking speculation he will take the field for OHA in next weekend’s Premier League grand final.
The world number one Kookaburras will compete against Argentina (ranked second), Malaysia (12th) and Japan (16th) in the DIHO from 18-22 September in Darwin.
Australia will also play Argentina on Friday, September 14 and Sunday, September 16.