TheAustralia men's national field hockey team (nicknamed theKookaburras) is one of the nation's most successful top-level sporting teams. They are the only Australian team in any sport to receive medals at six straightSummer Olympic Games (1992–2012). The Kookaburras placed in the top four in every Olympics between 1980 and 2012 winning gold in2004; in2016, the Kookaburras placed sixth.[3] They won theHockey World Cup in 1986, 2010 and 2014. They won theHockey Champions Trophy 15 times, the most by any team. They also won thePro League andWorld League twice each.
The Kookaburras' inability to win an Olympic gold medal despite their perennial competitiveness, led many in the Australian hockey community to speak of a "curse" afflicting the team,[4] finally broken in 2004 with the win in Athens. However, they failed to win Gold after that after losses in subsequent Olympics including a loss toBelgium in the Gold Medal Match of2020 Tokyo Olympics - the Kookaburras instead won the silver medal.[5]
Australia's first men's team competed in an international match in 1922.[6]
The first major competition won by the national team was the 1983 World Championships held inKarachi.[7]
This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: It is missing the information on the last eight-plus years (since early 2012 at the latest). Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2020) |
Australia's first men's team competed at the Olympics in field hockey at the1956 Summer Olympics.[7]
Australia did not medal at the1984 Summer Olympics[8] or the1988 Summer Olympics.[9] At the1992 Summer Olympics, Australia earned a silver medal, losing gold to Germany.[10] At the1996 Summer Olympics, Australia finished third, earning a bronze medal.[11]
The team won their first Olympic gold medal at the2004 Summer Olympics.Barry Dancer coached the side.[12]
Should Australia win the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics they will become the first national team in field hockey history to hold all four international titles available to them simultaneously. They would hold titles in the 2012 Olympics, 2010 World Cup, 2011 Champions Trophy and their continental championship (2011 Oceania Cup) at the same time. Along with those four titles Australia also holds the Commonwealth Games title from the 2010 championships.
| Year | Host city | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1908 | – | |
| 1920 | – | |
| 1928 | – | |
| 1932 | – | |
| 1936 | – | |
| 1948 | – | |
| 1952 | – | |
| 1956 | 5th | |
| 1960 | 6th | |
| 1964 | 3rd | |
| 1968 | 2nd | |
| 1972 | 5th | |
| 1976 | 2nd | |
| 1980 | Boycott | |
| 1984 | 4th | |
| 1988 | 4th | |
| 1992 | 2nd | |
| 1996 | 3rd | |
| 2000 | 3rd | |
| 2004 | 1st | |
| 2008 | 3rd | |
| 2012 | 3rd | |
| 2016 | 6th | |
| 2020 | 2nd | |
| 2024 | 6th |
| Year | Host city | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 8th | |
| 1973 | Withdrew | |
| 1975 | 5th | |
| 1978 | 3rd | |
| 1982 | 3rd | |
| 1986 | 1st | |
| 1990 | 3rd | |
| 1994 | 3rd | |
| 1998 | 4th | |
| 2002 | 2nd | |
| 2006 | 2nd | |
| 2010 | 1st | |
| 2014 | 1st | |
| 2018 | 3rd | |
| 2023 | 4th | |
| 2026 | Q |
| Year | Host city | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 2nd | |
| 1980 | 3rd | |
| 1981 | 2nd | |
| 1982 | 2nd | |
| 1983 | 1st | |
| 1984 | 1st | |
| 1985 | 1st | |
| 1986 | 2nd | |
| 1987 | 3rd | |
| 1988 | 3rd | |
| 1989 | 1st | |
| 1990 | 1st | |
| 1991 | 4th | |
| 1992 | 2nd | |
| 1993 | 1st | |
| 1994 | 4th | |
| 1995 | 2nd | |
| 1996 | 6th | |
| 1997 | 2nd | |
| 1998 | 3rd | |
| 1999 | 1st | |
| 2000 | 5th | |
| 2001 | 2nd | |
| 2002 | 5th | |
| 2003 | 2nd | |
| 2004 | Withdrew[16] | |
| 2005 | 1st | |
| 2006 | 4th | |
| 2007 | 2nd | |
| 2008 | 1st | |
| 2009 | 1st | |
| 2010 | 1st | |
| 2011 | 1st | |
| 2012 | 1st | |
| 2014 | 3rd | |
| 2016 | 1st | |
| 2018 | 1st |
| FIH World League[13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Host city | Position |
| 2012–13 | Semifinal | 2nd | |
| Final | 4th | ||
| 2014–15 | Semifinal | 1st | |
| Final | 1st | ||
| 2016–17 | Semifinal | 3rd | |
| Final | 1st | ||
| Year | Season | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Season One | 1st |
| 2020–21 | Season Two | 2nd |
| 2021–22 | Season Three | Withdrew |
| 2022–23 | Season Four | 7th |
| 2023–24 | Season Five | 1st |
| 2024–25 | Season Six | 5th |
| Commonwealth Games[13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Host city | Position | |
| 1998 | 1st | ||
| 2002 | 1st | ||
| 2006 | 1st | ||
| 2010 | 1st | ||
| 2014 | 1st | ||
| 2018 | 1st | ||
| 2022 | 1st | ||
| Year | Host city | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1st | |
| 2001 | 1st | |
| 2003 | 1st | |
| 2005 | 1st | |
| 2007 | 1st | |
| 2009 | 1st | |
| 2011 | 1st | |
| 2013 | 1st | |
| 2015 | 1st | |
| 2017 | 1st | |
| 2019 | 1st | |
| 2023 | 1st | |
| 2025 | 1st |
| Year | Host city | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1st | |
| 1985–1991 Did Not Compete | ||
| 1994 | 3rd | |
| 1995 | – | |
| 1996 | 2nd | |
| 1998 | 1st | |
| 1999 | – | |
| 2000 | – | |
| 2001 | 3rd | |
| 2003 | – | |
| 2004 | 1st | |
| 2005 | 1st | |
| 2006 | 2nd | |
| 2007 | 1st | |
| 2008 | – | |
| 2009 | – | |
| 2010 | 3rd | |
| 2011 | 1st | |
| 2012 | – | |
| 2013 | 1st | |
| 2014 | 1st | |
| 2015 | 2nd | |
| 2016 | 1st | |
| 2017 | 2nd | |
| 2018 | 1st | |
| 2019–Present Did Not Compete | ||
The following 18 players were named in the Kookaburras squad for the2023 Oceania Cup inDarwin.[20]
All caps and goals current as of 6 September 2025, following the match againstNew Zealand.
Head coach:Mark Hager
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | GK | Jed Snowden | (2001-08-15)15 August 2001 (age 24) | 16 | 0 | |
| 28 | GK | Ashleigh Thomas | (1995-07-21)21 July 1995 (age 30) | 17 | 0 | |
| 3 | DF | Corey Weyer | (1996-03-28)28 March 1996 (age 29) | 74 | 4 | |
| 10 | DF | Joshua Beltz(Captain) | (1995-04-24)24 April 1995 (age 30) | 132 | 5 | |
| 16 | DF | Timothy Howard(Captain) | (1996-06-23)23 June 1996 (age 29) | 153 | 3 | |
| 25 | DF | Nathan Czinner | (2002-03-19)19 March 2002 (age 23) | 17 | 0 | |
| 26 | DF | James Collins | (2000-02-25)25 February 2000 (age 25) | 42 | 0 | |
| 32 | DF | Jeremy Hayward(Captain) | (1993-03-03)3 March 1993 (age 32) | 244 | 122 | |
| 1 | MF | Lachlan Sharp | (1997-07-02)2 July 1997 (age 28) | 109 | 22 | |
| 2 | MF | Thomas Craig | (1995-09-03)3 September 1995 (age 30) | 152 | 47 | |
| 9 | MF | Liam Henderson | (2003-08-28)28 August 2003 (age 22) | 10 | 0 | |
| 20 | MF | Ky Willott | (2001-03-15)15 March 2001 (age 24) | 75 | 21 | |
| 23 | MF | Hayden Beltz | (1997-09-08)8 September 1997 (age 28) | 24 | 0 | |
| 24 | MF | Cambell Geddes | (2002-06-18)18 June 2002 (age 23) | 6 | 2 | |
| 7 | FW | Nathan Ephraums | (1999-06-09)9 June 1999 (age 26) | 91 | 38 | |
| 13 | FW | Blake Govers | (1996-07-06)6 July 1996 (age 29) | 174 | 161 | |
| 21 | FW | Jack Welch | (1997-10-26)26 October 1997 (age 28) | 55 | 19 | |
| 29 | FW | Timothy Brand | (1998-11-29)29 November 1998 (age 26) | 116 | 38 | |
The remainder of the 2025 national squad is as follows:[21]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | DF | Jake Harvie | (1998-03-05)5 March 1998 (age 27) | 149 | 6 | |
| 6 | DF | Anand Gupte | (1998-09-04)4 September 1998 (age 27) | 22 | 0 | |
| 17 | DF | Thomas Harvie | (2000-02-01)1 February 2000 (age 25) | 15 | 0 | |
| 19 | MF | Craig Marais | (2002-05-28)28 May 2002 (age 23) | 33 | 2 | |
| 5 | FW | Cooper Burns | (2002-03-06)6 March 2002 (age 23) | 15 | 6 | |
| 27 | FW | Joel Rintala | (1996-07-24)24 July 1996 (age 29) | 10 | 10 | |
The following players have received call-ups to the national team in the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mitchell Nicholson | (1997-12-18)18 December 1997 (age 27) | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Connar Otterbach | (2001-08-16)16 August 2001 (age 24) | 9 | 1 | v. | |
| MF | Davis Atkin | (2001-02-17)17 February 2001 (age 24) | 18 | 2 | v. | |
| FW | Benjamin White | (2000-10-02)2 October 2000 (age 25) | 12 | 2 | v. | |
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
| 5 February 2025Australia Leg | Australia | 1–2 | Sydney, Australia | |
| 17:30 | Willott | Report | Petchamé Álvarez | Stadium:Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre |
| 6 February 2025Australia Leg | Australia | 4–2 | Sydney, Australia | |
| 17:30 | J. Harvie Atkin Burns Willott | Report | Bijen Hoedemakers | Stadium:Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre |
| 8 February 2025Australia Leg | Australia | 1–1 (0–3p) | Sydney, Australia | |
| 17:30 | Willott | Report | Pa. Cunill | Stadium:Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre |
| Penalties | ||||
| Burns Marais Otterbach | ||||
| 9 February 2025Australia Leg | Australia | 4–4 (1–3p) | Sydney, Australia | |
| 17:30 | Hayward White | Report | De Vilder Van der Heijden Bukkens | Stadium:Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre |
| Penalties | ||||
| Ephraums Harvie Willott Henderson | ||||
| 20 February 2025Argentina Leg | Argentina | 0–2 | Santiago del Estero, Argentina | |
| 19:00 | Report | Brand Burns | Stadium:Polideportivo Provincial |
| 21 February 2025Argentina Leg | Australia | 2–2 (3–4p) | Santiago del Estero, Argentina | |
| 19:00 | Geddes Welch | Report | Boon | Stadium:Polideportivo Provincial |
| Penalties | ||||
| Brand Ephraums Willott Marais Welch Brand | ||||
| 23 February 2025Argentina Leg | Argentina | 1–0 | Santiago del Estero, Argentina | |
| 19:00 | Capurro | Report | Stadium:Polideportivo Provincial |
| 24 February 2025Argentina Leg | Belgium | 1–3 | Santiago del Estero, Argentina | |
| 19:00 | De Kerpel | Report | Welch Ephraums Burns | Stadium:Polideportivo Provincial |
| 14 June 2025Europe Leg | Australia | 3–2 | Antwerp, Belgium | |
| 10:30 | Report | Stadium:Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp |
| 15 June 2025Europe Leg | India | 2–3 | Antwerp, Belgium | |
| 10:30 | Report | Stadium:Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp |
| 17 June 2025Europe Leg | Australia | 6–1 | Antwerp, Belgium | |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium:Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp |
| 18 June 2025Europe Leg | Ireland | 1–6 | Antwerp, Belgium | |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium:Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp |
| 21 June 2025Europe Leg | England | 3–4 | London, England | |
| 15:30 | Report | Stadium:Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre |
| 22 June 2025Europe Leg | England | 2–1 | London, England | |
| 14:30 | Report | Stadium:Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre |
| 24 June 2025Europe Leg | Germany | 3–2 | Berlin, Germany | |
| 19:30 | Report | Stadium:Ernst Reuter Sportfeld |
| 25 June 2025Europe Leg | Germany | 5–0 | Berlin, Germany | |
| 19:30 | Report | Stadium:Ernst Reuter Sportfeld |
| 4 September 2025Match 1 | Australia | v | Darwin, Australia | |
| Stadium:Marrara Hockey Centre |
| 6 September 2025Match 2 | Australia | v | Darwin, Australia | |
| Stadium:Marrara Hockey Centre |
| 7 September 2025Match 3 | Australia | v | Darwin, Australia | |
| Stadium:Marrara Hockey Centre |
Barry Dancer/Brent Dancer andRic Charlesworth/Jonathan Charlesworth are two pairs of father as coach and son as player while both were affiliated with the national team in those positions.[12][22]
General sources
Further reading