Hockey teams eye quarter finals

The Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams are safely through to the quarter finals of the FIH Hockey World League Semi Finals in Belgium after solid group stage showings.

The Kookaburras finished top of their group after four victories in four matches, with wins over France, Pakistan, Poland and India.

NSWIS athlete and rising star Blake Govers scored five goals across the four matches, with brother and fellow NSWIS athlete Kieran Govers scoring four. NSWIS athletes Simon Orchard and Tristan White are also part of the squad.

The men’s team will next face Ireland in the quarter finals.

The Hockeyroos won three of four matches in their group, losing 0-2 to New Zealand but registering wins against Poland, Belgium and India to secure passage to the quarter finals, where they will face Italy.

Emily Smith, Mariah Williams and Casey Sablowski are the three NSWIS athletes in the women’s team.

Both teams are aiming for at least a top three finish in order to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.