1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: I know everybody's keeping an eye on everything that's going 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 1: on over there in Paris. I'm loving watching all of 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: the sports and I think, well, i think it's safe 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: to say all of Australia is right. Like I'm getting 5 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: up in the morning and rather than listening to the 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: news or watching the news immediately, I'm catching up on 7 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: the sport from the night before. And my next guest 8 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 1: in the studio will not only set to be the 9 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: head coach of the men's Territory Stingers, but also former 10 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: Australian hockey superstar and twenty twelve Olympic bronze medalist Karen Gophers. 11 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, Hi, How are you? 12 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 3: Yeah? Good, lovely to have you in the studio. 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 4: Mate. 14 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 3: Are you watching everything over there in Paris as well? 15 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm trying to. I'm sleep deprived. 16 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 4: It's been awesome little bros over there, so it's really yeah. Yeah, 17 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 4: he's playing on the hockey team, so I've had some 18 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 4: late nights, but obviously then go too well and. 19 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, now it's been a bit of a shame, hasn't 20 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: it to see that they did you know that they 21 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: did get knocked out. I think we all had we 22 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: always have high hopes, right for our hockey teams because 23 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 1: you guys have performed so well over the years. 24 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, so do we go on the expectation of winning 25 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 4: or medaling at least So when yeah, to go out 26 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 4: in the quarters two Olympics out of the three, it 27 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 4: is pretty disappointing. But yeah, big tournaments bring out weird 28 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 4: things and yeah, stuff like that. 29 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 3: So yeah, well that's exactly right. 30 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: You know, that pressure, I suppose of competing at something 31 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: at that level would just be a whole other level 32 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,960 Speaker 1: for any athlete, no matter how good or how experienced 33 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: you are. 34 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, and one game probably ruined four years of preparation 35 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 4: and they didn't turn up to play, and that's what happens. 36 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, we know, well we know there's been a bit 37 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:39,479 Speaker 1: of controversy as well with one of the players obviously 38 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: getting into some strife with allegedly trying to purchase drugs. 39 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 3: It's you know, it's a terrible situation however you look 40 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 3: at it. 41 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, it sort of tainted the day yesterday, the best 42 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 4: medal day for the Australian Olympic team in history. Yeah, 43 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 4: it's unfortunate it the player made a very bad decision 44 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 4: and when went out after a dinner with the families. 45 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 4: So yeah, but yeah, as we said, by no means 46 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 4: where we can do only what he's done. He's a 47 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:18,239 Speaker 4: awesome bloke, I know him personally. Yeah, things happen in life, 48 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,119 Speaker 4: and unfortunately it happened on the big stage. And now, yeah, 49 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 4: I've touched bases obviously, my brother and some teammates and 50 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 4: we can only look after his welfare now, yeah. 51 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: That's all you can do. What's it like watching your 52 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: little brother play over there? Do you like? 53 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 3: Do you watch it? 54 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: I've got two older brothers and they both coach professional 55 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: sport as well, so I watch it like with a 56 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: different I Right, you kind of get I don't know, 57 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: you get you get really into it and you feel 58 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 1: it on a real emotional level. 59 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, and knowing what they're trying to do as well, 60 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 4: and when they don't do it, he gets frustrated. I 61 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 4: just want to grab the TV or jump through the TV. 62 00:02:55,320 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 4: But understanding they've trained for so long for this this position. Yeah, 63 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:01,799 Speaker 4: and it's just awesome to see where he's come from 64 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 4: as well. We're able to fortunately play a year together 65 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 4: in the Aussie team, then we'll fight for the same 66 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 4: spot in Rio and he got it and I did it. 67 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 4: It's awesome like as well, mums followed us around around 68 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 4: the world and dad's just at home watching on TV. 69 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 2: So yeah, it's awesome. 70 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 3: I love it. 71 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: I think it's wonderful. And how lucky are we here 72 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,360 Speaker 1: in the Northern Territory. Now you're going to be coaching 73 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: the Stingers. You've been here for three days, is that right? 74 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 2: Yep? Three days? Yeah, and it's been unreal so far. 75 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 3: Ye, how are you feeling about taking on the job. 76 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, big shoes to fill after Butch, but now he's 77 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 4: helped me along. I met the boys the first time 78 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 4: on Tuesday, which was awesome. 79 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: They're ripping in really well. 80 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, doing what I'm what I'm telling them to do, listening, 81 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 4: which is good. But yeah, you're very excited for the 82 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 4: opportunity coming up and hopefully yeah we can get some 83 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 4: get some wins against Buzzy. 84 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: Can you tell us a bit about the team, like, 85 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: is it a mixed sort of a team in the 86 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: sense it's you know, some young talent coming through and 87 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: some of the you know, some of the older players 88 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: a bit more experienced. 89 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a good variety. 90 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 4: So yeah, we've got young ones from seventeen eighteen to 91 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 4: old codges probably my age or a little bit older 92 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 4: in the state boys that like obviously gone away like 93 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 4: to better their hockey indifferent states. So we're bringing them 94 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 4: back in into the group. We've probably I know, we'll 95 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 4: have a maybe twenty six ish to choose from, so 96 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 4: it's going to be pretty hard to cull eight or 97 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 4: ten of them, but yeah, pretty exciting, good opportunities showcase 98 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 4: what they can do against the reigning champions as well. 99 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, so yeah, we're looking. 100 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: Forward to it. So remind us again the dates of 101 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,840 Speaker 1: those games, and I know obviously anybody can come along 102 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: and support the Stingers. 103 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's the twentieth and the twenty first of September 104 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 4: at the Hockey Center. 105 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: Yep, it's a Friday and Saturday night. Yeah, as well 106 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: as the. 107 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 1: Girls are playing and looking at you know, the Northern 108 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 1: Territory when it comes to our talent hockey wise, like 109 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 1: we've had some incredible talent out of the Northern Territory, 110 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: haven't we. 111 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, Well, currently you have Brook Paris and Jeremy Haywald 112 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 4: that are in there. Now. Leo's playing for New Zealand 113 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 4: and unfortunately missed the he got reserve going back in 114 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 4: the day when I was playing obviously Joel Carroll, Travi, 115 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 4: Carroll des Abbott and you can even go back further 116 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 4: like over Paris and help Mark Kickman Stephen Locke. It's 117 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 4: it's crazy some of the people that have come from 118 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 4: the Northern Territory and taking the stingers and helping with 119 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 4: the futures this week, it's they're in good shape. 120 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 2: Hockey ntea. 121 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, Like, are we doing something different here? Is there 122 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: something in the water making our hockey players play the 123 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 1: way that they do? 124 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 3: And like, is it tough for them. 125 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: When you've got that natural talent sort of being quite 126 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: far away from some of the other major states when 127 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 1: you look at you know, the competitive nature that you 128 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: see in the other states and how often they're going 129 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: up against other tough teams. 130 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's it all comes down to a commitment from 131 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 4: the coaches as well. So yeah, Michelle Jason, they're putting 132 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 4: in big, big hours, hard yards. 133 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 2: Got plenty of knowledge in the experience to give to 134 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,840 Speaker 2: these kids. So and that's the thing. The biggest thing 135 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 2: is turf time as well. 136 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 4: Availability they're not they don't have to travel too far 137 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 4: it's a bonus, so you can get as many sessons 138 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 4: in as you want. Yeah yeah, maybe maybe just the 139 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 4: isolation up here up north, but at the end of 140 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,920 Speaker 4: the day, it's it's a bonus as well. No one 141 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 4: sees what you're doing, and then you go to a tournament, 142 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 4: then you can expose other people. 143 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 3: No wonderful stuff. 144 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 1: Well, it's great to have you in the territory and 145 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: great to chat with you this morning, and we'll be 146 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: keeping a very close eye on the hockey when the 147 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:37,559 Speaker 1: Stingers played. 148 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 3: So thanks so much for joining us in the studio 149 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 3: this morning. 150 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 2: Awesome, thanks for having me. 151 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:41,559 Speaker 3: Thank you.