Boyanup Hockey Club to celebrate ex-junior Jake Harvie’s inaugural Olympics campaign with the Kookaburras

He might have missed out on a shot playing in Tokyo, but Jake Harvie is set to make the Boyanup Hockey Club proud as he makes his Olympic debut.

The former junior player will play for the Kookaburras in Paris over the next fortnight, marking the first games for the 26-year-old.

Media liaison Dean Lomax said the club were absolutely stoked with the result.

“He came so close just before Tokyo and it was pretty devastating for Jake and his family to miss out pretty much right at the last stage, but for him to get the callup to go to Paris, we’re just so happy for him and his family,” he said.

Despite rising success on the international stage in recent years, the Dardanup product has not forgotten his roots.

Lomax said Harvie is still a part of the club’s groupchats.

“He is always telling us ‘wish the boys luck’ and when he comes back down here... he’ll always drop in and say g’day,” he said.

“He has come down here for a couple of junior clinics, so he’s always making sure he’s coming back down and giving back to the club where it all started.”

As part of the club’s celebration of Harvie reaching hockey’s highest level, players and members will be heading to the Boyanup Tavern on Saturday to watch the Kookaburras’ first match of the games on the big screen.

Lomax noted it is not the first time they have gathered to watch Harvie play.

“We’ve done it a couple of times where Jake has been playing an international tournament,” he said.

While all players and members are excited to see their star player on the Olympic stage, is it the family the club is really focusing on.

“Russell and Carolyn, his mum and dad, Jake and his younger brother Tom, they’ve done so much for the club... and we’re just so stoked that the family can celebrate Jake’s achievements,” Lomax said.