Hockey
1 August, 2024
Edenhope's Brennan ready to take on nation's best at country championships
Buzz Brennan, 17, is geared up for men's country championships.
Edenhope's Buzz Brennan is looking forward to conquering another sharp learning curve this month as he represents the Wimmera on the national stage.
The 17-year-old was selected to make his open-level debut for South Australia at the 2024 Hockey Australia Country Championships in Goulburn from August 3 to 10.
"It is a real honour to get picked in the squad," Brennan said.
"I think I'm only one of two teenagers to play in the whole tournament."
Brennan was selected after strong play in the 2024 Hockey SA State Country Championships.
"Edenhope normally put in a side, but didn't this year, so I put my name in a player pool and was selected to play for the Riverlands," he said.
"After the championships, I put my name in the selection pool and got the call-up.
"I'm looking forward to getting experience at high-level hockey and comparing myself to other country players.
"I know playing against men will be more physical and faster, so every time I'm on the field I have to be on point."
The fourth-generation hockey player has represented South Australia and Victoria at various levels.
In 2023, he was selected to represent Victoria at the School Sport Australia Hockey Championships.
He also represented SA at junior regional and national tournaments.
"Living in the Edenhope means I can represent both states," Brennan said.
"I go to school at Edenhope but play hockey in Naracoorte.
"I'm usually a defender, but I got to play as a forward at the school boys tournament. To be honest I felt out of position up front."
Fortunately, Brennan said he was no stranger to learning quickly.
"We had a training session in Adelaide, but Friday (August 2) will be the first time the team trained together," Brennan said.
"I'm still learning all the different terminology.
"In the country we still use the old terms like left-halfback, but the metro sides use terms like attacker, midfield, defender. It's to encourage more fluidity and attacking play."
Brennan said at the start of 2024, he planned to let hockey take a back seat and focus on schooling.
"One tournament popped up after another and I said 'school can wait'," he said.
However, the young star noted he had plenty of time to study, given the vast distances between Edenhope and the next tournament.
"I plan to go to university and study to become a physio," Brennan said.
"I want to work in the sporting world after school, so it's been valuable playing at a high level and speaking with the team staff whenever I get a chance."