A historic fifth Olympic Games is on the horizon for Kookaburras stalwart Eddie Ockenden, following the announcement of the 16-strong men’s and women’s hockey teams for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Ockenden will become the first ever five-time Australian Hockey Olympian with his selection, adding another accolade to his already impressive resume.

With four Commonwealth Games gold medals under his belt, and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games flag bearer, Ockenden will be looking to add to his trophy cabinet, chasing an Olympic gold to join his silver from Tokyo and bronze medals from both London and Beijing.

Captained by Aran Zalewski, the team includes 14 Commonwealth Games gold medallists, and features five players heading to their third Games, seven taking on their second, and three making their Olympic debut.

The Kookaburras, currently ranked fourth in the world, enter Paris 2024 fresh off winning the 2024 FIH Pro League Title.

Meanwhile the Hockeyroos will be led by co-captains Jane Claxton, Brooke Peris, Kaitlin Nobbs and Grace Stewart, all of whom have claimed multiple Commonwealth Games medals.

Their experienced tenure has seen the team notch recent victories against Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Argentina and Great Britain, and they head to Paris keen to improve on their quarter-final exit from Tokyo.

The women’s team features four athletes heading to their third Olympics, five returning for their second Games and seven debutants.

The Hockeyroos will be looking to claim their first Olympic medal since winning gold at the home Games in Sydney in 2000.

They have been drawn in Pool B with Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, USA and South Africa, while the Kookaburras will take on Belgium, India, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland in their pool games.

The @Hockeyroos and @Kookaburras are en route to #Paris2024!#AllezAUS | @HockeyAustralia pic.twitter.com/Fm5tCWr0Q7

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 2, 2024

The hockey teams will also take the field in their own Olympic history – their competition venue, Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, was the primary venue for the 1924 Paris Olympics and the only venue used that year to also be used 100 years later. In 1924 it hosted the Opening Ceremony, athletics, cycling, equestrian, gymnastics, tennis, football, rugby and modern pentathlon.

Maddison Brooks, Aleisha Power and Hattie Shand for the Hockeyroos and Johan Durst, Nathan Ephraums and Tim Howard have been named as the travelling reserves (known as Ap athletes under Games accreditation). The travelling reserves can be selected as a replacement athlete onto the Australian Olympic Team in case of injury or other withdrawal of one of the selected athletes.

Note the Australian Olympic Team for women’s hockey is subject to an ongoing appeal by a non-nominated athlete. Any updates will be communicated in line with that process.

The Hockey competition will be held from Saturday 27 July to Friday 9 August at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes.

With thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee and Hockey Australia.