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Brent Livermore in action in Sydney - Photo courtesy Hockey Australia

Brent Livermore is a driving force for Australia’s midfield. A powerful, skilful central midfielder, he was pivotal in Australia’s Bronze Medal performance last year at the Sydney Olympics. He has played the past season for Oranje Zwart in the Netherlands, but has many more aspirations with the Kookaburras.


Full Name: Brent Livermore
Age: International Caps: 97
Started playing hockey: Age 13
Hometown: Grafton, North Coast of New South Wales, Australia


ANDREW GRIFFITHS(PFH): What do you like about the game of hockey? What do you dislike?
BRENT LIVERMORE: What I LIKE - It is a very high skill game that involves all skills and body movement skills. From coordination, and ball stick skills, to endurance, speed, power and agility. It is very much an allround sport, and probably one of the most challenging and complete sports. It is also a team sport that gives you the opportunity to meet and make great friends forever.
What I DISLIKE - Penalty strokes. And losing.

AG: How have you progressed through the ranks to where you are in the Australian team?
BL: I competed in all State teams from under-15 ‘til now. I first was chosen in the Australian junior team in the under-17s. I then was chosen in the under-20 Australian team that toured Europe for the Junior World Cup (JWC) preparation. Then in 1997 I was to captain my country to JWC Gold in Milton Keynes. Prior to the JWC in February of 1997, I was selected for my first Senior Australian Team to travel to Pakistan. At the JWC I was selected as captain of the World Honourary Team. To this day I have been a consistent member of the Australian Team.

AG: What was the experience like playing in Sydney, winning a bronze medal in front of your home crowd?
BL: It was a fantastic experience. One that is truly undescribable. But the support from a nation and the rest of the world showed and displayed the best Olympic Games ever.

AG: Did you have any kind of break afterwards, or was it straight to Holland?
BL: I had a couple of weeks celebration, then on a flight to Holland around the 20th of October.

AG: How was your experience playing over in Holland, hockey-wise, culture-wise…
BL: It has been a great experience. Hopefully it has given me the insight to develop some more as a player. But the difference in styles and mentality has been a good learning curve. And then there is the Third Half. The after-match celebrations are also a great experience. It also provided me with the opportunity to travel around Europe and become a true tourist. What better way to see the world?

AG: What do you do aspire to do as a career?
BL: I have the burning desire to captain Australia to a Gold medal in Athens. I also wish to become one of the best players in the world. So I plan to continue playing at the elite level for a few more years. I also realise the importance of looking after your career. I am studying to become a Personal Trainer. And I have a lot of interest in Web design. So maybe I will also chose to study something along those lines. But in the short term I hope to undertake a Trainee Manager and Personal Trainer Position in a Fitness Club.

AG: What would you do if you had a month to travel anywhere?
BL: Probably relax, surf and fish somewhere like the Maldives, with a group of family and friends.

AG: Who is your favourite Sportsman?
BL: Michael Jordan. He is/was truly the best athlete in the world. He is also so professional, and a guy that has his feet on the ground and he also knows where his priorities lie.

AG: Who do you think is the best player in world hockey?
BL: Teun DeNooijer. Every time he gets the ball he is dangerous and can make something happen. He has the speed and the endurance, and the skills to change a game.

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