Profile - Wayne Hammond

Wayne Hammond represented Australia in the sport of Hockey from 1972 - 1980. He toured some 20 countries earning 88 caps for Australia in Test Series, and international and World Cup tournaments.

Wayne first represented Australia in 1972 competing in a three match test series in New Zealand and later that year helped Australia to 5th place at the Munich Olympic Games. But he was lucky to get there after fulfilling his obligation in the last intake for National Service in 1969. A move to Singleton and later Puckapunyal restricted Wayne's training and it wasn't until he was transferred back to Canungra Army Base in 1970 that he began to take up where he left off with his love for hockey.

The Army supported his dedication to make it to the top of his sport, allowing him time to travel to Brisbane on a daily basis to train. Their efforts were repaid when he was selected in the Queensland team to tour New Zealand in 1971 beginning a stint of 12 years state, and 8 years national representation.

Four years and fifty caps later Wayne was once again selected to represent Australia in the Olympic year this time it was Montreal in 1976.

Playing in an Olympic final was the realisation of a dream, and the culmination of many years of hard work. There was disappointment though, when the Australians were denied the gold medal. That setback was compounded four years later when Australia boycotted the Moscow Games in 1980, ending Wayne's chance of competing in three successive Olympics, and his Olympic gold medal aspirations.

More than a decade after his retirement from international competition Wayne represented his country again at the Pacific Rim Masters Tournament in 1992 and was selected captain for the same tournament in 1993.

Hockey has become a big part of Wayne's family. At the time of writing his daughter Leanne had represented the Australian Junior team while son Steven is a state shadow player.