Sixteen young athletes will take to the pitch in Singapore this August, with the hopes of continuing Australia’s place at the top of international men’s hockey.

The boys will contest a six team tournament of the best young teams from around the world, with the aim of progressing to the medal matches and Youth Olympic glory.

For a number of the athletes in the team, elite hockey was a rite of passage with family members competing in the sport at the national and international level.

For 17-year-old Andrew Butturini, following in his brother Matthew’s footsteps was a natural progression.

“He’s a role model for me,” Butturini said of Matthew who plays for the Australian men’s team – the Kookaburras.

“He was the first one I rang when I got selected and I know he’s excited for me.”

Butturini who hails from Murwillumbah in Queensland is one of three athletes on the team representing Tweed Border Hockey alongside Jake Farrell and Dylan Wotherspoon.

“It’s a great area to live and everyone is really encouraging of our sport,” Butturini explained. We’ve got good coaches, we work well together and it’s great that a few of us have made the team.”

Australia will face some tough competition in Beligium and Pakistan at the Games but are not discounting the power of the more unknown teams - Chile, Ghana and Singapore.

“We’re going there to win,” coach Paul Gaudoin said. “We’ve got a really high standard of players in the team and it’s an exciting and promising group. That said we’ll have our work cut out for us.”

The international playing experience for the young group will be invaluable in developing them for senior competition, with the Olympics and Champions Trophy the ultimate goals.

“Teams in Europe can travel an hour or two and play internationally but for our junior teams in Australia, financially it’s not possible,” Gaudoin said.

“The Youth Olympics are such a great opportunity and I’m sure we’ll see the impact in years to come as these teenagers progress into the senior ranks.”

Hockey at the Youth Olympic Games will take place at Sengkang Hockey Stadium in the north-eastern part of Singapore. There is a competition for boys and girls aged between 15 and 17. Australia will only send a boys’ team as participation at the Youth Olympics is limited to one boys and one girls’ team per nation.

Australia has qualified and chosen to contest the men’s hockey, with a team of 16. Women’s handball will be Australia’s female team sport at the Games. Australia will send the maximum team size of 100 athletes comprising 70 from individual and 30 from team sports.

Alice Wheeler
AOC