No one was more surprised than Kieran Govers when he was given the call up to the Kookaburras World Cup Hockey squad. After all, he had recently recovered from a major injury and in January this year had only just been added to the AIS and senior men’s squad.
“He’s a versatile player who can play striker or attacking midfielder. He gives us attacking flexibility and he’s shown he can play at this level,” said Rick Charlesworth, the Australian men’s head coach
Govers had played only three international games prior to his selection in the squad, but had been earmarked as a player of the future. While the World Cup attracted controversy due to safety issues in India, Govers wasn’t going to let it distract him in his first major tournament.
The Sydney-sider played solidly in the round games and narrowly missed scoring in a close two-nil win against Spain, as Australia went on to win gold, for the first time in 24 years. Govers was never going to feature as one of the all stars at this tournament but he used it as a stepping stone.
Govers’ recent success may never have happened following a chronic hip injury that threatened to derail a promising career.
“It was ripping my cartilage,” said Govers, describing how the ball in his hip joint was unable to rotate smoothly in the socket causing movement problems.
“I had surgery in 2007 when they shaved the bone, then last year they took out more cartilage and spent two or three hours resculpting the bone.”
Govers worked hard to regain his strength and fitness, doing enough to be selected in the Australian junior team to contest the 2009 Junior Hockey World Cup. The Australian team went on to win bronze with Govers scoring three goals throughout the tournament, relying on painkillers, just so he could take the field. Following the cup he had a second surgery on his hip and regained health late last year.
Charlesworth sees Govers as a long term prospect and has no doubt he can take on the worlds best.
“His is a fascinating story, a great example of coming back from a setback and proving himself in such a short time,” Charlesworth was quoted as saying.
“He had a bad hip injury and had to undergo surgeries. He had to work really hard and compete against the best to be included in this squad, so he has to be good.”
Although Govers did not see much playing time at the World Cup, six months ago he was barely able to walk. He realises how far he has come in such short time and with only a few months until the Commonwealth Games and two years until the 2012 Olympics, Govers knows that if he can stay injury free he will be one to watch over the coming years.