SW brothers taking the hockey world by storm

They’ve just experienced two of the highest points in their sporting journeys, but rather than celebrate by putting their feet up, South West-raised brothers Jake and Tom Harvie are already working on taking their hockey careers to the next level.

Fresh from the high of being part of the Kookaburras team which swept to victory on the Gold Coast to secure its sixth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, Jake has turned his attention to this month’s Hockey Champion Trophy in the Netherlands.

“For us, that’s a stepping stone to the World Cup at the end of the year,” Jake said.

Meanwhile, having played a role in pushing Australia to victory at the Youth Olympics Games qualifiers in Papua New Guinea, Tom has his sights on securing a spot in the Australian side that will contest this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

“If I get to go, it will be the biggest thing I’ve ever been to, so I’m really excited,” he said.

Jake can tell his younger brother a thing or two about the excitement of competing on the international stage at a multi-sport event, following his stint at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Describing it as an “absolutely incredible experience”, Jake said sending captain Mark Knowles into retirement in such spectacular fashion was a stand-out moment.

“For me, probably the most special thing was that final siren and getting to run back on the field and give Knowlesy a big hug and all my teammates a hug,” Jake said.

As the brothers carve out their own international hockey careers, they have family members to turn to for advice including their grandfather Gordon Pearce, a former Olympian, as well as their dad Russell Harvie, a SWAS hockey coach and Wally Foreman Award winner.

Tom said there were advantages to coming from a hockey family.

“Growing up as young athletes having dad’s knowledge right there with us has always been good, to bounce ideas off him and learn from him,” Tom said.

“And grandad, obviously having his Australian experience at that level puts everything in perspective for us. And to make sure we’re still having fun because that’s what he sees as the most important thing – and it is the most important thing.”