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Australia

LONG-serving Kookaburras goalkeeper Mark Hickman has retired followng Australia's historic men's hockey gold medal win at the Athens Olympics.

The 31-year-old from the Northern Territory was the second-string 'keeper to younger team-mate Stephen Mowlam during the Athens campaign, but enjoyed a distinguished career of 79 international games since his debut in 1996.

"It was an honour to play one game for Australia, so to play for as long as I have and to finish with an Olympic gold medal is an absolute dream," said Hickman, who is continuing studies in Spain.

"The best thing for me about playing for Australia was the feeling of representing the best in the country."

As well as helping Australia to a first Olympic men's hockey gold medal in August, Hickman earned two Commonwealth Games gold, silver at the 2002 World Cup, and two silvers and a bronze in six Champions Trophy tournaments.

"Winning the gold medal filled me with a great feeling personally, but it was also fantastic to see the pleasure that our supporters took from the result," he said.

"It is hard to thank everyone that has helped and assisted along the way but, in particular, I will always remember the other goalkeepers that I have played for Australia with.

"I am beginning to move from being an athlete to employment and my aim is to find something that I am as passionate about as I was with the Kookaburras – so I am in Spain to finish my Masters studies in Business and to try to learn some Spanish, as well as enjoying a great country."

Kookaburras coach Barry Dancer praised Hickman's commitment and service.

"It was very satisfying to see Mark's dedication and long service to Australian hockey rewarded with his success in Athens," said Dancer.

"I commend him on his directed approach to ensuring his own growth over the last 10 years with his association with the national squad and his more senior leadership role over the last four years."

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