Aboriginal hockey stars off to London

Aboriginal hockey star Des Abbott.

HOCKEY: The inclusion of star Aboriginal striker Des Abbott and his cousin Joel Carroll in the Olympic men’s hockey team has been lauded in federal parliament.

Northern Territory Liberal MP Natasha Griggs told parliament on Monday the pair were outstanding territorians and fantastic Indigenous ambassadors.

“In fact they are actually fantastic sports ambassadors for all Australians,” Ms Griggs said.

“It is the first time ever two Northern Territorians have competed together in the same team at the Olympic Games.”

The Australian men’s hockey team was announced in Perth on Monday, headed by five-times world player of the year Jamie Dwyer.

The team, known as the Kookaburras, collected a bronze medal in Beijing four years ago but head into the London Olympics as favourites for gold.

Olympic debutant Carroll fills an opening in the backline after Graeme Begbie suffered a serious knee injury in May.

AAP