Dardanup product Jake Harvie completes physiotherapy degree while balancing hockey career

A hard-working Kookaburra from the South West has completed his physiotherapy degree while balancing his education with his burgeoning hockey career. Dardanup product Jake Harvie graduated from Curtin University — located on the same site as Perth Hockey Stadium, the national team’s base — earlier this year after more than seven years of part-time study. Harvie told the South Western Times completing the degree while managing his requirements as a professional athlete had meant many late nights and early mornings. “It’s great to have finally knocked that over. It was a pretty big year last year getting all the placements and practical hours done,” he said. “It’s a bit of a different feeling, not having to juggle uni whilst I’m playing hockey. I’m used to being really busy, so it’s probably not something I’m going to get used to and I don’t think it’ll stay that way. “(Hockey’s) always been my priority, there is time to fit other things in here and there.” The 26-year-old half-back featured as the Kookaburras won the first two games of their five-Test series against India at the weekend as part of the Perth International Festival of Hockey. Harvie, who has been capped 129 times by the national team, said the games were serving as excellent preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. “We’re capable on our day of beating anyone, we’re there to compete and win the gold medal,” he said. “For me personally, hopefully I get the opportunity to be part of that team. “I’m not really someone that’s driven by a finish line or an outcome, I’m just consistently trying to improve and better my best.” Harvie said he would assess his career options with the degree after the Olympics, but he had also developed a strong interest in high-performance, culture and leadership. Tickets to the International Festival of Hockey are available through INTIX and all Kookaburras and Hockeyroos games are streaming live and free on 7plus.