Our Ambassador - Aran Zalewski
From Margaret River to the Kookaburras
“Hockey is a true family and community oriented sport. Margaret River Hockey Club is something you belong to, somewhere to play, to have fun and enjoy the game.”
2014 World Cup Champions
2020 - Silver Medalists at the Tokyo Olympics
2022 - Commonwealth Gold - Birmingham
From Margaret River to the Paris Olympics
250th Game V India (at the Perth Hockey Stadium)
2023 - Opening the Hockey Turf - Q&A session with Colin Batch (Kookaburra Coach)
Career Highlights
2014 – World Cup Champion
Aran was part of the Kookaburras team that won the 2014 FIH Hockey World Cup in The Hague, defeating the Netherlands in the final.
2014 – Commonwealth Games Gold | Glasgow
Later that year, Aran won his first Commonwealth Games gold medal with the Kookaburras.
2018 – Commonwealth Games Gold | Gold Coast
A second Commonwealth Games gold followed on home soil at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
2021 – Olympic Silver | Tokyo 2020
Aran helped Australia reach the Olympic gold-medal match in Tokyo. The Kookaburras took silver after a penalty shootout against Belgium. The delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics were played in 2021.
2022 – Commonwealth Games Gold | Birmingham
Aran, serving as co-captain, claimed his third Commonwealth Games gold when Australia defeated India 7–0 in the final.
25 March 2023 – Coming Home
A particularly special date for MRHC: Aran returned home to officially open the Margaret River Hockey Training Turf, alongside Kookaburras coach Colin Batch.
6 April 2024 – 250 Games for Australia
In front of family, friends and plenty of Margaret River supporters at Perth Hockey Stadium, Aran played his 250th game for the Kookaburras. Australia celebrated with a 5–1 win over India.
July–August 2024 – Paris Olympic Games
Aran captained the Kookaburras at his third Olympic Games. Australia's campaign ended in the quarter-final against eventual gold medallists the Netherlands.
Paris 2024 – Final Games for Australia
The Paris Olympics proved to be Aran's final tournament for the Kookaburras. He finished his international career with an extraordinary 268 appearances for Australia.
31 October 2024 – Retirement Announced
Aran officially announced his retirement from international hockey, bringing his 14-year Kookaburras career to a close.
Aran’s Kookaburras career began with a childhood dream growing up in Margaret River, and he was fortunate enough to live that dream for 14 years.
Aran’s 250th Game!
Saturday 6th April 2024 - Perth Hockey Stadium
Australia V India = 5 - 1 Win!
Club members and players enjoyed watching a fantastic game of hockey and celebrated alongside Aran - what an amazing achievement of 250 games for Australia.
We are so proud of you Aran!
Inspiring the Next Generation
Aran's story is a wonderful reminder to our young players that big sporting journeys can start in small regional towns.
We're incredibly proud of everything he has achieved, but we're equally proud that Margaret River remains part of his hockey story.
From a shortened hockey stick on the grass fields of Margaret River to representing Australia on the world's biggest stage...
We're very proud to call Aran Zalewski our Club Ambassador.
Be Inspired
Watch and learn with Aran
The Ultimate Dream
Aran Zalewski, explains how important your commitment, mind set and opportunities are as well as how overcoming adversity is all part of the life journey. Learn some great tips from our club legend Aran .
Fond memories …
Colin Batch and Aran Zalewski, the Coach and Captain of the Kookaburras, answer questions from the crowd at our turf Grand Opening.
Listen up
The Kookaburras star opens up about his hockey journey, and growing up in the south-west of WA.
Margaret River Training Turf Opened by Aran Zalewski
25th March 2023
Cutting the Ribbon
Question & Answer session with Colin Batch (Kookaburra Coach)
Aran with major sponsors of the turf project - members of The Rotary Club, Margaret River