IAS Graduates and brothers Blake and Kieran Govers have dreamed of playing hockey for Australia at the Olympics, and there’s now a very real chance they could be lining up alongside one another in Rio de Janiero next year. Kieran, 27, went to the London Games in 2012 when the Kookaburras took home the bronze medal. Given a year clear of injury, he is as good as guaranteed a place in the squad heading to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics Teenage talent Blake has turned an eye towards the sport’s pinnacle event now that he has broken through for a debut Kookaburras appearance. The 18-year-old was selected to debut in our top men’s team for Saturday’s Hobart International Challenge game against Pakistan, scoring a goal in the 6-0 victory. His debut was made all the more special by older brother Kieran presenting Blake his debut singlet at a team dinner prior the game. The boys’ parents Ian and Jenny also made the trip south to share the occasion. “It was very emotional actually,” Blake said of the presentation. “It was unreal, especially to have my parents come down to watch and my older brother was already here. “That’s when it started to hit home more than anything.” Govers was informed of his selection a fortnight before the opening game in Hobart but kept it under wraps. It’s been a busy couple of months for the teenage star, who has juggled playing for Illawarra club Albion Park with flying to England to help Wimbledon win the English Premier League. He netted five goals during an 8-5 victory in the grand final in England, and Wimbledon now qualifies for the tough European Hockey League next year. Govers is likely to miss that series, however, as he hopes to be added to the Kookaburras’ main squad following the Hobart International Challenge. That would mean a move to Perth where the national hockey squads are based. If Govers was to move to Perth, he would join Kieran in camp and the pair would be able to strive for Rio together. Kieran is currently nursing a hamstring injury – his second in seven weeks – but plans to rejoin the team for next month’s trip to Europe for the World League series. “This is our Olympic qualifier … if we finish top three we qualify for Rio a year out, so it makes it a bit more stress-free on us and on our program,” Kieran said. “It would be a pretty cool moment if we both get selected [for Rio].” Kieran’s hamstring injury is the latest setback in what has been a stop-start career for the Wollongong product. He has had three hip surgeries in seven years, as well as five hamstring tears, other “niggles” that come with being a professional athlete. “It takes a toll mentally but you’ve just got to stay focused, have a clear goal and that drives you,” he said.
