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Active Tasmania

Matthew Wells

Member 2012 - Born 2 May 1978

Matthew is one of the finest hockey players Tasmania has produced. A tough and skilful fullback for Australia for over a decade, Matthew's resolute defending and ball-carrying skills were a key factor in an era of unprecedented success for the Kookaburras.

The highlight of his career came in Athens in 2004 when Australia finally secured its first gold medal in men’s hockey after 48 years of trying. With the scores tied 1-1 in the final against the Netherlands, a Jamie Dwyer goal in the eighth minute of extra time sealed the famous victory.

Matthew was the only member of the Kookaburras to have played in each of the medal winning teams from Sydney to Beijing and is one of an elite group to have won three Olympic Hockey medals for Australia.

He also played in three Champions Trophy winning teams for the Kookaburras and won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and in Melbourne.

Beginning his career with the Derwent Hockey Club, Matthew made his debut for Australia against The Netherlands in Hobart in 1998. He went on to play 241 games for the Kookaburras and was part of the Australian captaincy group from 2002-2008, becoming the first Tasmanian to captain an Australian Hockey team. In 2001 and 2003 he was Australian Hockey League Player of the Year and in 2002 he was Australian International Player of the Year.

In 2005 Matthew was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport as a gold medallist at the 2004 Olympic Games.