A Margaret River local is back in the winner’s circle on the world stage – this time at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Aran Zalewski, who grew up playing hockey in Margaret River, was a key member of the Australian side which clinched the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games final on Sunday.
This victory comes less than two months after Zalewski was a member of the Kookaburras team which won the World Cup in the Netherlands in June.
The Kookaburras weathered an early storm from the Indian attackers before they opened the scoring thanks to a Chris Ciriello goal from a penalty corner.
Shortly afterwards Zalewski won Australia another penalty corner only for Cirello’s subsequent shot to be blocked by an onrushing Indian defender.
The Indians had a chance to equalise just before halftime but were denied by Kieran Govers on the line and in the second half Australia ran away with the match. Cirello completed his hat-trick and Eddie Ockenden scored as well as they finished 4-0 winners.
With the win the Kookaburras defended the title they won four years ago in Delhi and continued their incredible success in the event.
The Australian men's side has won all five hockey gold medals since the sport it was added to the Commonwealth Games program in 1998.
Margaret River Primary School teacher Mark Harrison, who coached Zalewski as a junior hockey player, said he was a quiet boy but always competitive and strong.
"Everyone knew he was going to make it, we knew he was special," Mr Harrison said.
From Zalewski's early days in Margaret River, on to Busselton and then to the WA Institute of Sport, he always showed promise as an elite sportsman.
"He played his first game for Australia in Bunbury against India, and he scored a goal in that game, which was a massive achievement," Mr Harrison said.
