The IAS Hockey squads received a surprise visit at training over night from IAS graduate and current Australian Kookaburras mid fielder, Tristan White. Recently home from Melbourne after winning the 2012 Champions Trophy with the Australian Kookaburras, White took no time at all to return to where it all started. The visit organised by close friend and current IAS Men’s Head Coach, Simon Beaton was well received by all athletes, coaches and parents who were in attendance. It was also not lost on current members of the IAS Hockey squad just how the Australian Kookaburra’s won the final against the Netherlands with management highlighting the combination of White with fellow IAS graduate Kieran Govers to break the deadlock in extra time to claim the gold. “It’s a fantastic result for the Australian Hockey and to have two of the stars graduates of the IAS is extremely satisfying” said former IAS Head Coach and current mentor coach Craig Nealon. White spent time training the squad in passing and trapping as well as speaking to both the men’s and women’s squads about his journey from the IAS to the National team. White acknowledged the positive role that the IAS played in his own development advising the current scholarship holders to use the program “to focus on all the hockey specific individual skills and to work hard on improve your game”. White will now take a well earned rest while completing his studies before re-joining the national team in the New Year.
