The legacy of three-time Olympic medallist Mark Knowles OAM has been cemented additional into the historical past of Australian sport after he was inducted into the Sport Australia Corridor of Fame this morning.
The Kookaburras’ legend was considered one of eight high Australian athletes to be celebrated reside on the Seven Community, as he was formally recognised with Australian sport’s highest honour.
“It was unbelievable after I received the decision from [Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair] John Bertrand (AO) to say that I used to be being welcomed into this esteemed group of Australian sporting icons and heroes of mine amongst them,” Mark Knowles stated.
“It’s simply an incredible, wonderful honour.”
It’s the second time in a month that the previous Kookaburras captain has been recognised in a Corridor of Fame after he was inducted into Hockey Australia’s HoF in September, six years after he retired from hockey on the highest stage.
The off-field recognition follows considered one of hockey’s best careers, as he went on to file 365 appearances whereas scoring 243 targets for Australia in a global profession spanning 16 years over the Kookaburras’ best decade.
He admits his most up-to-date off-field honours have pressured him to replicate on his achievements extending again to his very first recollections taking part in hockey as a younger boy in Rockhampton.
“I’m as nation as anybody. I grew up simply loving the game, being influenced by my mother and father… I lived out my dream taking part in hockey, however I’ve been reflecting on how one can get your self to a degree like this on the finish of your profession and it’s only a very good strategy to replicate.”
It’s laborious to look previous his affect through the Kookaburras’ best period. In a interval spanning 15 years from 2003 – 2018, the Kookaburras began by successful that elusive Olympic gold in Athens, earlier than occurring to win double Olympic bronze in 2008 and 2012, two World Cup titles, and 4 Champions Trophy gold medals, all whereas remaining unbeaten on the Commonwealth Video games.
“I’ve completely little doubt that if I wasn’t in an absolute elite staff… I might by no means be in competition for an award and an honour like this with out being amongst my teammates who’re additionally driving such excessive requirements. I’ve so many individuals to thank however you’ve received to have an enormous stage of respect for the coaches and the gamers who did it with you too.”
Mark joins two of them, the nice Kookaburras player-coach Ric Charlesworth AO and his teammate Jamie Dwyer OAM within the Sport Australia Corridor of Fame, two key folks in his profession who he says had an enormous affect on him.
“I feel on the time when Ric took over I used to be 24 years previous and desperately wanted Ric’s model and his approach of working. I wanted an excellent kick within the bottom. I wanted anyone to sort of problem me in several methods. And I cherished that,” Mark stated.
“Jamie and I grew up in Rockhampton collectively, we’re now brothers-in-law and we labored collectively in a training enterprise for 10 years. We performed in Europe collectively, we performed in India collectively, we performed each main event collectively, each successful and shedding.
“After I have a look at the folks from Hockey, simply as a begin, who’re in there already, I simply assume to myself how wonderful this honour is.”
When requested what stands out probably the most when he displays on his honour, Mark says the importance of the 2000 Sydney Olympics comes straight to thoughts and the way he now desires to be the function mannequin that his 16-year-old self admired throughout these Video games on house soil.
“After I watched the athletes and the way they performed themselves in Sydney for me as a 16-year-old boy from Rockhampton that set the tone for me when it comes to what I needed and performed such an vital half.”
“It’s additionally why I feel we have to we must be on the entrance foot as sporting organisations and as an Australian group round Brisbane 2032.”
The inductees shall be celebrated in Melbourne on November 18, when the Sport Australia Corridor of Fame gala dinner returns in 2024.
Click on right here for a full listing of the 2024 Sport Australia Corridor of Fame inductees.
