Article from the Hobsons Bay Leader – By Damien Ratcliffe
ALTONA hockey player Matthew Guest will hit the pitch at this week’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but not as a Kookaburra.
The 29-year-old will be representing Canada, his mother’s birth country, in his second Commonwealth Games’ appearance.The Shepparton-born star spent his early years sharing time between Australia and Canada, where his brother now lives permanently.
Now, with 74 international caps under his belt, Guest heads to Glasgow a lot more experienced than he did in Delhi four years ago.
“India is a unique country to play hockey, and to play sport in,” Guest said.
“Being my first Commonwealth Games, it was always going to be exciting and something I’ll never forget. It was pretty special. But I’m looking forward to Glasgow.”
Since the age of 16, Guest has been part of the Altona Hockey Club.
“It’s made me the hockey player I am today,” Guest said of the Victorian competition.
“Olympic gold medallists have come out of this competition. Our local competition is streets ahead of Canada’s.”
He said it was a challenge to juggle overseas hockey as well as train together with his Canadian teammates in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, but believed this year’s squad was experienced enough to challenge the bigger nations.
“I wish I could be with them more often, it’s not ideal, but it’s not like we’re fostering new relationships,” Guest said.
“Our goal is to try and make the semis, but it’s never going to be an easy feat,” he said.
“I’ve got to challenge myself, I don’t want to be just another number. I want to get on the scoreboard.”
He will leave the fourth-placed Altona Seagulls for three matches, arriving back on the eve of Round 19.
Canada kicked off its games matches against India on July 24.