Tim earns national team spot

Worthy reward: Ipswich and Kookaburras hockey player Tim Bates is glad he chased his dream.

Sarah Harvey

IPSWICH has another international hockey player to cheer on after Tim Bates was yesterday called into the Australian Kookaburras side.

With Flinders View talent Amy Korner in Chile with the Australian Hockeyroos, Bates was yesterday officially added to the national men’s team heading to Malaysia early next month.

Bates’ inclusion in the recent World Cup-winning squad is a reward for the hard-working striker who relocated to Perth last year to enhance his prospects.

“I’m pretty stoked to finally be able to say that I’ve got a place in the Kookaburras,” Bates said from Perth yesterday.

National coach Ric Charlesworth confirmed the Ipswich product’s selection yesterday morning.

Bates, whose family is based at Tivoli, was added to the squad after player Jono Charlesworth had to withdraw with a hamstring injury.

Ironically, Bates had just recovered from tearing the lateral ligaments in his right knee in January.

“I had two months off and rehabbed it well and I’ve only been back on the sticks for three weeks,” said Bates, 21.

“Up until then (the injury), everything was on track.

“It was a bit of a setback but I just worked hard to get back and it’s paid off.”

National squad testing last week showed Bates to be one of the fittest Kookaburras players.

His speed on the ball, goal-scoring ability and commitment to playing for Australia has also impressed selectors.

“It’s obviously a confidence boost for London (2012 Olympics),” the former Ipswich Easts striker said.

The Kookaburras are preparing for next month’s annual tournament in Malaysia, a place Bates has fond memories of.

He was part of the Australian under-21 side that won a tournament there in 2008 before returning to win a bronze medal at last year’s Junior World Cup.

“I’ll be used to the conditions and how to play over there,” he said.

The Kookaburras also have the Champions Trophy and Commonwealth Games coming up this year, putting Bates in the box seat for those international campaigns.

“It’s great timing,” he said.

“I just want to see if I can perform well and keep up the hard work.

“I’ve just got to refocus and keep training hard and keep myself in good nick.

“It’s just the start of something big I hope.”

While thrilled with his call-up, Bates is hoping twin brother Michael can soon join him in Kookaburras colours.

Michael, in the Australia A squad, is also considering a move to Western Australia where the national team is based.