Queensland duo new inclusions to 2023 Kookaburras squad

Two of Far North Queensland’s hottest men’s hockey prospects have been added to next year’s Kookaburras list of 27 athletes following the announcement of the 2023 squad.

Cairns midfielder Jayden Atkinson and Townsville’s Joel Rintala are the new additions to a Kookaburras squad that enters 2023 aiming to hold onto its number one world ranking. The duo replace Josh Simmonds and Corey Weyer in the squad.

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch said Atkinson and Rintala both bring traits that will further add to the squad’s depth and talent.

Rintala was a standout during the recent Hockey One League season, finishing as the league’s leading scorer with 11 goals, seven of which came from penalty corners.

The 26 year old gives the Kookaburras a further option in this crucial component of the game alongside world class drag flickers Blake Govers and Jeremy Hayward.

“We think we have good depth and can cover most lines…so adding Joel and Jayden is part of that jigsaw,” said Batch.

“Joel has been around the group for some time and has been a regular with us as part of Visitor Athlete Agreements.”

“He’s committed to his hockey development and he provides us with a significant drag flick on penalty corners, which without Josh Simmonds in the squad gives us more options in that area.”

“Joel has been steadily building a case to be selected and we saw in Hockey One this year, he scored a lot of drag flick goals so that reinforced his selection.”

Atkinson played alongside Rintala for Brisbane Blaze in the Hockey One League, the 21 year old also featuring in the Burras (Australian Under 21) team that reached the Final of the Sultan of Johor Cup in October.

“Jayden has the quality to perform well in a defensive midfield role,” said Batch. 

“He played well in the Sultan of Johor Cup this year and backed it up with a strong performance in the Hockey One League. 

“Like a lot of the young guys, we haven’t seen a lot of Jayden for two years because of COVID…but now we’re seeing some growth in these players.

“We think Jayden is a promising midfielder for the future. He has qualities we value in that position…his looking off the ball and decision making would be at the core of it.”

Of next year’s Kookaburras squad, there are 10 players with over 100 international matches of experience, while a third of the squad have under 30 caps to their name.

With Australia’s return to the FIH Pro League after missing the last season due to COVID travel restrictions, Batch said there would be opportunities to expose some of his less experienced brigade on the international stage.

Batch said he and the selectors would also be keeping a close eye on the development of emerging talent that impressed him during the Hockey One League season.

“The Kookaburras squad is a hard one to break into but I was encouraged by what I saw from a large portion of the Hockey One League, particularly the younger players coming through…they certainly caught our eye for future selection,” said Batch.

“We want to see how some of our younger players develop in the Burras series against New Zealand series in Canberra this week and also at the Junior World Cup in December next year. 

“There are some players in the National Development Squad who will stay in that squad. We’re keen to see if we can give them a Kookaburras opportunity but we’ll just see how selection pans out next year.”

“We’re keen to have a look at those guys, including Ky Willott, James Collins and Craig Marais who came into the squad this year…but right now our focus is making sure we prepare well for the World Cup.”

With the 2023 squad confirmed, Batch is expected to announce the team of 18 players for January’s World Cup next week.

Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said the stability and continual emphasis to improve and be the world’s best would keep the Kookaburras as a benchmark in world hockey. 

“I congratulate the players selected in next year’s Kookaburras squad and look forward to watching the level this team can reach in the next 12 months,” said Pryles.

“The Kookaburras have consistently been and continue to be one of Australia’s best and most successful national teams, and I know they will be ready to prove it again when the World Cup begins in mid January in India.”