When India faces Australia in the Sydney Olympic hockey competition they will be facing the most valuable hockey player in the world. At least, that's the verdict of the sport's world governing body, the FIH, which named Jay Stacy as its player of the year for 1999.
In his 14th year with the Australian national team, the 32-year-old Stacy has played for the Kookaburras more than 300 times, making him the most-capped Australian player. This longevity is amazing given that Stacy plies his trade in the engine room for the Kookaburras - the midfield.
He is renowned for both his size and his strength on the ball and provides much of the drive, which keeps the Kookaburras going forward.
Stacy is a handy goal scorer from midfield, averaging around a goal every other match. Many of these have come from penalty corners, where Stacy excels. He has one of the hardest strikes of the ball in the game from short corners.
Stacy is currently vice-captain of the Kookaburras but has acted as captain, most notably in the Champions Trophy in 1996. Despite all he has achieved, Stacy says he is not necessarily going to retire after the Sydney Games, unless the Kookaburras win gold.
"It would be nice to retire at the top. If we get the right results, if we winthe gold, I may stop right there," he says. "Otherwise I would like to carry on for a couple more years, perhaps until the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur."
If Stacy's career does extend until 2002, he will reach his fourth World Cup, having competed in 1990, 1994 and 1998. He has played in 13 Champions Trophy campaigns, winning the title on three occasions including last year.
Sydney will be his fourth Olympics campaign. He was part of the Australian teams, which finished fourth in Seoul in 1988, second in Barcelona four years later and third at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
With silver and bronze Olympic medals already on display at home, Stacy will be hoping to complete the set this month.
Professional Management Group
In his 14th year with the Australian national team, the 32-year-old Stacy has played for the Kookaburras more than 300 times, making him the most-capped Australian player. This longevity is amazing given that Stacy plies his trade in the engine room for the Kookaburras - the midfield.
He is renowned for both his size and his strength on the ball and provides much of the drive, which keeps the Kookaburras going forward.
Stacy is a handy goal scorer from midfield, averaging around a goal every other match. Many of these have come from penalty corners, where Stacy excels. He has one of the hardest strikes of the ball in the game from short corners.
Stacy is currently vice-captain of the Kookaburras but has acted as captain, most notably in the Champions Trophy in 1996. Despite all he has achieved, Stacy says he is not necessarily going to retire after the Sydney Games, unless the Kookaburras win gold.
"It would be nice to retire at the top. If we get the right results, if we winthe gold, I may stop right there," he says. "Otherwise I would like to carry on for a couple more years, perhaps until the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur."
If Stacy's career does extend until 2002, he will reach his fourth World Cup, having competed in 1990, 1994 and 1998. He has played in 13 Champions Trophy campaigns, winning the title on three occasions including last year.
Sydney will be his fourth Olympics campaign. He was part of the Australian teams, which finished fourth in Seoul in 1988, second in Barcelona four years later and third at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
With silver and bronze Olympic medals already on display at home, Stacy will be hoping to complete the set this month.
Professional Management Group
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