Love of hockey what keeps Eddie Ockenden going

To play 400 international hockey matches, one would think there has to be some kind of secret magic formula to get there. However, for Eddie Ockenden who is on the brink of doing what no other Australian has done before, it simply comes down to a love of what he does.

On Sunday in Match 2 of the Kookaburras’ series against India in Adelaide, 35 year old Ockenden will run out for is 400th senior international appearance.

The magnitude of the feat is hard to grasp. Hockey is a sport that is taxing on the body, requires a high level of skill, hand eye coordination, lightning reflexes and physical and mental fitness. And it is certainly not for the faint hearted.

After making his Kookaburras debut in 2006, Ockenden has gone on to play 398 matches at the highest level.

What makes this even more remarkable is that hockey in Australia is not a professional sport. Players who make the commitment to represent their country in hockey do it for their love of the game, their appetite for the contest and their desire to win and be the best. Not money, not luxurious lifestyles, not fame.

This makes what Ockenden is about to achieve all the more remarkable. As he sat at a table alongside two men who have had a major impact on his career, current Kookaburras coach Colin Batch and Indian head coach (and former Kookaburas coach) Graham Reid, plus Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh to preview the upcoming series, Ockenden admitted the significance of his milestone had started to hit home.

“It was a bit daunting a few months ago but I have come around to appreciating it is a lot of games,” said Ockenden.

“Hockey has been a major part of my life and it’s really special to have people congratulate you or to experience thoughts from from teammates, coaches, people I grew up playing hockey with in Tasmania, hearing them saying nice things about you…so I’m going to try and enjoy it. I’ll have my family here as well on Sunday which is great.”

Part of Ockenden’s longevity to be at the top of the sport for so long can be attributed to his amazing run without any major injuries.

However, while it helps, physical shape does not guarantee a long and prosperous sporting career.

The thing that underlines it all, that goes with the exceptional natural born and developed hockey talent Ockenden has, is his constant love of the game and playing for the Kookaburras.

It is something he is more than aware of and keeps coming back to every time he is asked what it is that still, 17 years into his international career, has him regarded as one of the best players in the world.

“When I was a kid I played every sport I could. I think I figured out early that I loved playing sport and from that I loved the team sport aspect of it,” said Ockenden.

“Going back to that…it’s the enjoyment and love I have for hockey. Being around the Kookaburras is what I’ve loved the most and I just love the game…I think that’s what has to keep you going.”

“I still love training and being around my teammates.”

Ockenden says a thing that has always stuck in his mind that he learnt from some of his former coaches at a young age was being told how fortunate he is to find something in his life that he loves so much.

“I’m lucky I’ve found a passion that I can do for so long. For some people it’s hard to find that in life so I feel lucky in that respect,” said Ockenden.

“I’ve seen teammates with injuries and other things that make training difficult. I’ve experienced a lot of luck and good times and feel lucky to be able to do it and not have too many things that can slow you down.”

“I’ve been really lucky to have the coaches I’ve had…including those at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport growing up and helping me develop when I was a kid.

“Then to come into the Kookaburras when Colin (Batch) was the assistant coach at that time, being given a shot at a young age helped me get into the team and find my groove.

“The team I came into after the Athens gold medal, I was really fortunate to learn from those guys and learn how to be a Kookaburra.”

Another contributing factor to why Ockenden continues to get the best out of himself and improve is the Kookaburras’ standing as one of the world’s best hockey teams.

This unwavering belief that they can genuinely win every tournament, coupled by the constant ambition of being the world’s best hockey team, continues to excite and energise him.

Adding to this admirable perspective is the fact the Kookaburras train at 6.30am most mornings and are not paid anywhere similar to athletes in professional sports.

“I have accepted the fact I don’t need to have all of that,” said Ockenden.

“There are other parts of having money and a lot of attention that would probably make it more difficult.

“As I’ve got older I’ve realised it’s a hard way to live with the attention some sports and athletes have to deal with, so we’re lucky in that regard.

“When you play hockey for Australia, when you go to a tournament you have realistic expectations that we can win it. Not to say it in hope…we legitimately have the teams capable of winning tournaments.

“It’s great for the team and the sport that we can go to major tournaments confident that we can do well.”

Now that he is about to reach 400 games, the lingering question is how much longer can he go on for? It’s not an answer Ockenden is keen to spend too much energy on.

“If I’m still fast enough and good enough we’ll see how it goes.”

It is an approach that has worked a treat so far.

Watch Eddie Ockenden’s milestone match and every game of the Kookaburras’ series against India LIVE on FOX Sports and Kayo.