Canberra Chill Trio Receive Their Kookaburra Call Up

CANBERRA CHILL TRIO RECEIVE THEIR KOOKABURRA CALL UP

The Canberra Chill’s own Davis Atkin, Anand Gupte and Ben Staines have received their long-awaited call up to the Australian Men’s Senior National Hockey Team – the Kookaburras. Set to feature in the upcoming Men’s Pro League mini-tournament in India, where the trio will be given an opportunity to prove themselves on the world stage against a recently crowned world champions Germany and Commonwealth Games Silver medallist India, as Australian selectors narrow in on the 2024 Olympic Squad.

The trio stood out among tough competition in the Hockey One League for the Canberra Chill, helping the team reach the semi-finals in the 2022 season. All three were added into the National Development Squad which gave them encouragement that they were on the brink of Kookaburra selection.

For Ben Staines it is a reward for hard work and sacrifice. Ben made the difficult decision to relocate to Perth to have greater exposure to the Kookaburra program. In the past twelve months he lead his Perth club team to back-to-back titles, won the Perth competition Best and Fairest, made the Hockey One team of the tournament, represented Australia at the Indoor World Cup and welcomed the birth of his first child.

Anand Gupte is realising the results of his sacrifices. Anand had a struggle with injury over many years making him question whether or not his sacrifice was worth continuing. Anand had been given chances in the U21 system and following strong performances in 2021 he was elevated to the Development Squad. This triggered Anand to make the move to Perth and like Ben gain some greater exposure to the Kookaburras coaches and show case his talents. Anand had a strong finish to the Hockey One League and now has the chance to realise his international dream.

For Davis Atkin it has been a meteoric rise. During the Hockey One League last year Davis missed selection in the Australian U21 team for the Sultan of Johor Cup. He used that disappointment to fuel a come from behind win for the Chill and continued to impress to make the Hockey One League team of the tournament. Following Hockey One he played a crucial role in Australia’s Junior World Cup qualifying series in Canberra and has since been asked to move to Perth to have greater exposure with the Kookaburras. Now he will make his international debut in March.

This achievement marks the first time in Hockey ACT history that three local players will mark their debut for the Kookaburras in the same event.

“This is an extraordinary achievement and a reward for effort, not only for the individual players, but also the development and pathway program we have in place in the ACT,” says Matt Cook, Hockey ACT’s National Athlete Pathway Program (NAPP) Head Coach.  

“This provides us with confidence that the direction we are going is the right one and the ACT will continue to grow in presence within the national set up.”

“It’s also important that we acknowledge the work of our former NAPP Head Coach, Ben Bishop for the efforts he has put into our development program.”

“This is such an exciting achievement for the three players. They are terrifically talented players but more importantly outstanding role models and human beings. I know the Canberra Chill members, sponsors and the entire Hockey ACT community will be delighted for them. It’s a shame that Andrew Charter will miss the series due to his honeymoon!” states Hockey ACT CEO, Rob Sheekey.

“In high performance sporting environments all you ask for is a chance which Ben, Anand and Davis all now have. I hope they soak in the atmosphere and opportunity and enjoy the experience. I’m confident for all there that this will be the first of many opportunities to play on the international stage”. 

FIH Pro League 2022-23 Season – Kookaburra’s Match Schedule in Rourkela

11 March - Kookaburras v Germany

12 March - India v Kookaburras

14 March - Germany v Kookaburras

15 March - India v Kookaburras

Matches start at 7:00pm local time (12:30am AEDT). Rourkela is 5 hours and 30 minutes behind AEDT.