Daniel Sproule

Daniel began what was to become a brilliant career in hockey when he represented Tasmanian for the first time in the under 15's in 1988. He went on to play both underage and later at senior level for Tasmania for many years. His exceptional skills were recognized when, at just 18, he was selected for the Australian under 21 squad in 1992. He subsequently relocated to Perth (WA) to further his hockey career when he was awarded an Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship.

He honed those considerable skills in Perth and his first senior Australian representation came in 1994. He was then regularly selected for his country in numerous test match series, Champions Trophy tournaments - Vice Captain in 1998 - World Cup matches, and the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games side where Australia won the gold medal.

His dream selection came when he was chosen for the 1996 Olympic Games team to play in Atlanta, where Australia won the bronze medal.

He even surpassed that Atlanta experience when he played for his country at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where Australia played in front of their home crowd. Australia again finished third to win the bronze medal. What an achievement for this talented young Tasmanian sportsman to play at the ultimate level of competition in the land of his birth!

As well as this wonderful international record, Daniel distinguished himself in the National Hockey League, playing with the Tassie Tigers in 1993 and then with the WAIS Strikers when Tasmania did not field a team for a number of years. He returned to play with his home state and won the season's top hockey award in 1999 when chosen as the Player of the League for that season.

He retired from hockey in 2001 after an extremely successful and distinguished career. Recognized as one of the best midfielders in the world, he was also an outstanding role model to thousands of young hockey players throughout Australia as a player who epitomized the worth of sportsmanship as an essential part of the game.

His retirement concluded a wonderful record of 188 games for his country.