Veteran Kookaburras trio set to spearhead 2026 World Cup campaign

The Kookaburras are proud to announce that Jeremy Hayward, Tim Howard and Josh Beltz will co-captain the Australian men’s hockey team for the 2026 FIH World Cup campaign.
 
The experienced trio were officially unveiled as the captains for the remainder of 2025 and 2026, in front of players, coaches and staff, ahead of the trip to Darwin for the Oceania Cup, where they will continue preparations with less than 12 months to go until the World Cup.
 
While Jeremy has held a place in the senior leadership group before, it’s a first for both Josh and Tim, and notably the first occasion where all three have been elected by their teammates.
 
“It was quite emotional hearing what they had to say about me and my leadership style and how I contribute to the group,” Jeremy said. “To be announced alongside Tim and Josh is really special.”
 
“It's obviously a massive honour. You only have to look at this group and see what this group means to so many people. So to be out there representing us and leading us through this next 12 months is extremely exciting,” Josh said.
 
Tim agreed: “To hear what the guys had said about me in the voting was really nice. It means a lot to be trusted in this role.”
 
“I'm motivated and energised by the role. As one of the older guys now, it provides a new lens for me, and I'm looking forward to getting into it,” he added.
 
Boasting 523 international caps between them, Beltz, Hayward, and Howard will steer the Kookaburras through a crucial period, as the side continues to capitalise and build on immense depth before what will be a tightly contested World Cup selection period.
 
“We've acknowledged that we’ve made mistakes in our past and we're learning from that and we're moving forward with guys that are exciting, not only on the field, but off the field, and they’re good to be around,” Jeremy added.
 
“We're all going in the same direction, and we all agree that we can target a good result at the World Cup.”
 
“We had a great camp down in Narrogin, WA, at former Kookaburra and coach Bevan George’s farm a month ago. It was really nice to sit around and speak some truths and speak about our beliefs and values. We’re really starting to form a picture and decide where the new group's headed,” Tim said.
 
“From a leadership perspective, I just want to empower these guys to bring what they do really well. I'll guide them when I need to, but at the same time, we've got some incredible people that do some incredible things, so I just want to facilitate that and encourage them in any way I can,” Josh said.
 
The next chapter begins at the Oceania Cup on Thursday, when the Kookaburras take on familiar rivals New Zealand in a hotly contested best-of-three Test Series, a welcome homecoming for Darwin-born co-captain Jeremy Hayward.
 
“Darwin is home for me; they’re my people, my community, and I'm really excited. One, just to go back, but to also be returning as a leader of the Kookaburras in front of my hometown is a special moment,” Jeremy said.
 
Match one gets underway at 6:30pm AEST on Thursday evening, when they take on the Black Sticks for the first time since they beat them 5-0 in the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
 
All Hockeyroos and Kookaburras matches will be broadcast LIVE and free on 7plus.

The 2025 Oceania Cup is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government, through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

Kookaburras 2025 Oceania Cup Schedule
MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin

Thursday, 4 September  – 6.00pm ACST / 6.30pm AEST / 4.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Saturday, 6 September  – 4.00pm ACST / 4.30pm AEST / 2.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Sunday, 7 September  – 4.00pm ACST / 4.30pm AEST / 2.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men