The Help Side

Tom Craig

Welcome to the podcast, The Help Side, where current Australian player Tom Craig speaks to some of the most recognisable names in world hockey.

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36 episodes
Updated Nov 3, 2021

Episodes36

Newest first

Jul 29, 2020 · 55 min
12. The Help Side - Kieran Govers - Part B
#TheHelpSide This week we talk to the man they call the Tattooed Titan, Kieran Govers. After bursting on to the scene for the Kookaburras as a youngster at the 2010 World Cup, Kieran quickly became one of the most popular players in World Hockey and made a name for himself as a lethal striker and walking highlight reel, with some of the most unforgettable goals scored in Australian hockey. I was pretty pumped Kieran agreed to share his story with The Help Side, because it is by no means a smooth one, and the resilience Kieran has shown throughout his career is something that is truly inspiring. Kieran Govers is one of the true servants of hockey, and despite it being really quite a cruel game to him at times, his love and passion for the game and its development is quite incredible. In this episode, Part B, Kieran opens up about how he defines himself as a hockey player and what it's like travelling the world on the club circuit getting paid to do what he loves. We also talk about adversity, injuries and retirement. Enjoy Part B of The Help Side with Kieran Govers.
Jul 29, 2020 · 50 min
12. The Help Side - Kieran Govers - Part A
#TheHelpSide This week we talk to the man they call the Tattooed Titan, Kieran Govers. After bursting on to the scene for the Kookaburras as a youngster at the 2010 World Cup, Kieran quickly became one of the most popular players in world hockey and made a name for himself as a lethal striker and walking highlight reel, with some of the most unforgettable goals scored on the world stage. I was pretty pumped Kieran agreed to share his story with The Help Side, because it is by no means a smooth one, and the resilience Kieran has shown throughout his career is something that is truly inspiring. We sat down after a game of golf in the change rooms of Sutherland Hockey Club and chatted for about an hour and a half about the highs and lows of his career. Being one of the great Sydney clubs, you’ll hear a bunch of excited kids in the background at times, eager to get back to training and there’ll be an intrusion or two but to be honest, I found it kind of fitting, given the man I had in front of me. Kieran is one of the true servants of hockey, and despite it being really quite a cruel game to him at times, his love and passion for the game and its development remain quite incredible. In Part A of the interview, we talk about his path to the Kookaburras and how it very nearly didn't happen. He's got some cracking stories for you all, so we hope you enjoy the Help Side of Kieran Govers.
Jul 20, 2020 · 33 min
11. The Help Side - Flynn Ogilvie - Part B
#TheHelpSide Today’s guest burst onto the international hockey scene in 2014 and has since mesmerised defenders and spectators alike with his skill and speed. Hailing from Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, Flynn Ogilvie has been through a lot on his journey to 109 games for Australia, a tally that includes a Commonwealth Games Gold and a berth at a World Cup, both in 2018. We’re bringing this interview in two parts. In this episode, Part B, Flynn talks about life on tour, playing Indoor Hockey for Australia and living with Alopecia.
Jul 16, 2020 · 42 min
11. The Help Side - Flynn Ogilvie - Part A
#TheHelpSide Today’s guest burst onto the international hockey scene in 2014 and has since mesmerised defenders and spectators alike with his skill and speed. Hailing from Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, Flynn Ogilvie has been through a lot on his journey to 109 games for Australia, a tally that includes a Commonwealth Games Gold and a berth at a World Cup, both in 2018. We’re bringing this interview in two parts. In this episode, Part A, Flynn talks about what it’s like to grow up in a family with six siblings who all play hockey. He then takes us on his journey from playing juniors in the Gong to a whirlwind move to Perth in order to vie for a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. We then discuss the things he learnt in overcoming a serious injury that put him for the better part of a year. Flynn is a ripping lad and speaks openly about the highs and lows of living in a high-performance environment. Enjoy The Help Side of Flynn Ogilvie.
Jul 9, 2020 · 45 min
10. The Help Side - Eva de Goede - Part B
#TheHelpSide Welcome to the Part B of a two-part The Help Side special with reigning FIH Women’s Player of the Year, Eva de Goede. Few teams have dominated a sport to the extent that the Dutch national team have dominated the women’s game since their Olympics Gold in 2008 and Eva has been there for every major moment along the way. A two-time FIH World Player of the Year, Eva has arguably the most impressive hockey resume of any current hockey player. Boasting over 230 internationals, Eva has incredibly lost only two games across three World Cups and three Olympics in her career. In this episode we talk about the Rio 2016 Olympics, what's it's like to be captain of the Dutch national team and some of the things Eva learnt from taking a year away from the sport. The results of that break were pretty remarkable with de Goede being crowned the FIH Women's Player of the Year twice after her return. Talk about a good sabbatical.
Jul 8, 2020 · 59 min
10. The Help Side - Eva de Goede - Part A
#TheHelpSide We are very excited to introduce the back to back reigning FIH Women’s Player of the Year, Eva de Goede, who will join us for a two-part special on The Help Side. Few teams have dominated a sport to the extent that the Dutch national team have dominated the women’s game since their Olympics Gold in 2008 and Eva has been there for every major moment along the way. A two-time FIH World Player of the Year, Eva has arguably the most impressive hockey resume of any current hockey player. Boasting over 230 internationals, Eva has incredibly lost only two games across three World Cups and three Olympics in her career. In this episode, we take our time discussing just what it is that makes the Dutch so successful, and what it feels like to be part of that team. We also explore some of Eva’s most memorable hockey moments, of which, it must be said there are many. In typical Dutch fashion, Eva is incredibly forthright about her experiences at the top and as you can imagine has some wonderful lessons to share with us as she’s progressed from the fresh-faced 17-year-old debutant from a little town in the Netherlands to the captain of the world’s best team.
Jun 10, 2020 · 1 hr 15 min
9. The Help Side - Rechelle Hawkes
#TheHelpSide When it comes to champions of our sport they don’t get any bigger than Rechelle Hawkes. Winner of an incredible three Olympic and two World Cup gold medals, Rechelle was the captain of the all-conquering Hockeyroos during the 1990s, an era where they swept all before them to become one of the greatest teams of all time, not just in hockey but across any sport. In 2000 Rechelle joined Dawn Fraser as one of only 2 Australian women to win gold at 3 separate Olympic Games and in 2018 she was made a member of the Order of Australia for significant services to hockey as a player, captain, role model and commentator. From growing up in Western Australia to reading the Athlete’s oath at the Sydney Olympics, Rechelle’s story is one of resilience, determination and extreme dedication that saw her reach a standard of achievement that quite frankly may never be seen again in our sport. If you are interested in leadership, teamwork and what it takes to win, then this podcast is for you. This is the help side of Rechelle Hawkes OAM.
Jun 3, 2020 · 1 hr 8 min
8. The Help Side - Ashley Morrison
#TheHelpSide For hockey fans down under Ashley Morrison can reasonably be considered the voice of hockey. With 32 years in media across 37 different countries, Ashley is the world’s premier hockey broadcaster with a level of insight and attention to detail that is second to none. He’s a commentator, a journalist, a writer, an award-winning documentary maker, and as anyone that knows him will tell you - a fierce ambassador for sports like hockey that maybe don’t get the recognition in the mainstream media that they deserve. Ash is a man with a passion for both the history and the human side of sport and in this podcast we talk about his journey as a sports journalist - a path that has taken him to all corners of the globe - and we tackle some of the big issues facing hockey as a sport. From TV coverage and the FIH Pro League, to the domestic and international calendar, through to grassroots hockey and the current state of the game, Ashley holds considered and compelling opinions that he shares with us over the next hour or so. If like me, you care about the future of our sport, you’re going to enjoy this one.
May 27, 2020 · 1 hr 12 min
7. The Help Side - Michael McCann
#TheHelpSide As one of only 16 Kookaburras to have won an Olympic gold medal, Michael McCann can rightly be considered one of the greats of Australian Hockey. From his aunty giving him 10 cents a goal as a kid running around Bankstown in Sydney’s west, to playing in the pressure cooker of Olympic and World Cup finals, and now coaching at the elite level in Germany, Mick has done just about everything there is to do in our sport. Mick’s insight, humour and unbridled love of hockey shine through in this interview and you will come to appreciate why Mick believes “hockey is in his blood". He takes behind the scenes of the famous Athens gold medal-winning class of 2004, with some cracking stories that you won’t want to miss. We end up in Europe where Mick reflects on the culture shock of starting out as a coach in Germany, a nation where things are done a bit differently from the way we do things in Australia.
May 21, 2020 · 48 min
6. The Help Side - Adam Dixon - Part B
#TheHelpSide Welcome to Part B of The Help Side special with the current captain of the Great Britain men’s hockey team, Adam Dixon. In Part A, we had a fascinating chat to Adam about the GB high performance set up and the state of play of hockey in the United Kingdom. In this episode, we get more personal and explore Adam’s journey as an international hockey player - from winning gold at his first international tournament to missing selection at his home Olympics in London through to getting his chance to shine at Rio and now being on the verge of leading his country to the Tokyo games as captain.
May 20, 2020 · 51 min
6. The Help Side - Adam Dixon - Part A
#TheHelpSide Adam Dixon is the current captain of the Great Britain men’s hockey team and is one of the most highly respected players in world hockey having represented England and GB on more than 250 occasions. Adam is an Olympian, a dual Commonwealth Games medalist, a European Championships Gold medalist, a Hockey India League champion, and above all else he is a ripping bloke who I had the good fortune of playing with at Kalinga Lancers back in 2017. We cover quite a bit of ground in this interview - so much so that we’ve had to split it into two episodes! In this episode, Adam gives us an insight into the GB high performance set up and the challenges of the lockdown - including how he was he forced into early isolation with suspected coronavirus symptoms - but don’t worry it’s alright he’s ok. We talk about the current state of the game in the UK - a country where hockey is enjoying a bit of a renaissance following the London Olympics and the gold medal success of the GB women at the Rio games. Adam is open, thoughtful and has some interesting perspectives on where the game needs to head to break into the mainstream.
May 13, 2020 · 1 hr 8 min
5. The Help Side - Rachael Lynch
#TheHelpSide Nurse, business owner, mental health ambassador, Australian hockey player, shoot-out beast and FIH World Goalkeeper of the Year. These are just some of the ways to describe star goalkeeper Rachael Lynch. After debuting in 2006, Rach has played a whopping 223 games for the Hockeyroos, a statistic that includes appearances at three World Cups, five Champions Trophies, three Commonwealth Games and the Rio Olympic Games. Playing arguably the most competitive position on the field, over the next hour or so, Lynchy will give us a goalkeepers take on competing at the highest level, and all that entails. With 14 years of experience, Rach has seen almost all there is to see over her stellar career with the Hockeyroos. From the ordeal of missing two Olympic selections to being crowned World Goalkeeper of the Year, you’ll find Rach has learned an incredible amount over her journey that started with a 12-year-old basketball-playing tomboy from Melbourne. We’re very lucky that Rach shares those lessons with us in a very candid manner, along with some of her goalkeeping secrets to being the best in the world.
May 6, 2020 · 1 hr 18 min
4. The Help Side - Katrina Powell
#TheHelpSide Katrina Powell is a bona fide legend of Australian Hockey. A key member of the all-conquering Hockeyroos team of the 1990s and early 2000s Triny went to 3 consecutive Olympic games and achieved every hockey player’s dream, not once but twice, winning gold medals at both the Atlanta and Sydney games. A prolific goalscorer, Triny found the back of the net an impressive 141 times for the Hockeyroos across a career spanning the best part of a decade and post her playing career Triny is continuing to score goals as a coach. In this interview, we reflect on what was a golden era of Australian hockey to understand the ingredients that made the Hockeyroos so dominant but also delve into why that dominance ended. We talk about the challenges of transitioning from an athlete to a coach and also get Triny’s take on how the sport can do better to support women to become more involved in coaching. As someone who has dedicated their life to hockey Triny has amazing insight into what it takes to succeed.
May 3, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
3. The Help Side - Aran Zalewski
#TheHelpSide Aran Zalewski or Moose as he’s more commonly known is the co-captain of the Australian men’s hockey team and a proud West Australian. Hailing from the famous Margaret River region, Moose is one of the premier players in world hockey being nominated for the FIH World Player of the Year award in 2019 - an impressive accolade to add to his gold medals at the World Cup and Commonwealth Games. He is the general of the national team - a big, strong defensive midfielder who calls the shots for the Kookaburras in both attack and defence. In this interview, we talk about leadership, the professionalism required to make it to the top in elite sport, and the insatiable quest for self-improvement that has made Aran the world-class player he is today. As you’ll hear there are two sides to Aran - the determined, ultra-competitive elite athlete - and the chilled, laid back surfer dude - a juxtaposition that makes him a fascinating guy to chat to.
Apr 29, 2020 · 1 hr 5 min
2. The Help Side - Matthew Swann
#TheHelpSide Matthew Swann or Swanny, as he’s known to just about everyone that follows hockey, is one of the most popular players not just in the Kookaburras squad but in our sport! He’s a two time Olympian, a dual World Cup gold medallist and a qualified accountant. The energiser bunny of the Australian team, he can be carrying the ball into the attacking circle at one end and in a matter of seconds, inexplicably be making a goal-saving tackle at the other end. Swanny’s skill, speed and elite level of fitness has made him one of the most dominant outside halves of the decade. This interview takes us on a journey from central Queensland where Swanny grew up, to Brisbane then Perth in pursuit of his hockey dreams, and ultimately to the pinnacle of hockey at the London and Rio Olympics - and he’s not done yet.
Apr 22, 2020 · 1 hr
1. The Help Side - Jeremy Hayward
#TheHelpSide Jeremy Hayward has been one of the mainstays in the line up of the Australian men's field hockey team, the Kookaburras, over the past five years. Jeremy has been to the very pinnacle of hockey winning gold medals at the World Cup and Commonwealth Games. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of relocating to Perth as an 18-year-old, the disappointment of the 2016 Olympic campaign as well as what it’s like to live with a partner who is also an elite hockey player.