Parkes’ Kurt Lovett has been selected on the Australian team that will play at the Junior World Cup in Lucknow, India next month.
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It’s the prize he’s had his eyes set on for some time now.
The Australian Under 21 Burras team – of which Lovett was a player – travelled to Johor Bahru in Malaysia to compete in the Sultan of Johor Cup between between October 31 until November 6.
The tournament, held each year, is a key element in preparing players for the Junior World Cup.
It’s also from which Hockey Australia announced its 18-player squad for the Junior World Cup that will take place from December 8-16.
Lovett has been a member of the Australian Under 21 squad for the past few years.
The squad was narrowed down to 25 athletes in July, then a team of 20, who were selected to compete at Johor.
And the coach was none other than Parkes man Ben Bishop.
Bishop will also head the world cup team.
Lovett was selected on the Burras team to compete in Malaysia following strong performances throughout the year and at the Capital Challenge in Canberra in September.
The Burras won the tournament for the first time after securing impressive victories over Japan (6-1) and New Zealand (9-1) and drawing 2-all with both Malaysia and England.
Australia faced Pakistan in the final of the tournament at Taman Daya Stadium, defeating them 3-1 and taking the historic win.
Pakistan scored the first goal of the match, thanks to a penalty corner seven minutes into the game.
It was a short-lived lead, with Australia levelling the score at 13 minutes with its own penalty corner.
Aussie player Blake Govers awarded a penalty stroke at 47 minutes, giving the Burras a 2-1 advantage in the final half.
With only three minutes of the game remaining, Govers secured victory for the Burras, with a penalty corner goal extending the lead to 3-1.
Parents Fiona and John Lovett couldn’t be prouder and happier for their son.
“The Burras won the tournament for the first time which was a great achievement, with Kurt having a solid tournament playing in the midfield,” Fiona said.
“Kurt has worked hard on many facets of his game over the last year and this improvement was evident throughout this tournament.
“[His selection on the Australian Junior World Cup team] is a great honour and a testament of the hard work Kurt has put into this campaign in the last few years.
“To have a player and the coach from Parkes involved in a national team to compete at a world cup is commendable.”
The Junior World Cup team and coaching staff have spent this week at a camp, prior to competition.
The Australian team will leave for Lucknow, India on December 1.
