Air Force Warrant Officer Clint Bird has set his sights on making the main Australian over-50s hockey team for next year's World Cup in Europe, after a strong performance as vice-captain of the Australian A side at the 2024 Masters World Cup in New Zealand.
Warrant Officer Bird, who serves as the Squadron Warrant Officer at 295 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, said the experience was a career highlight - but he's aiming even higher.
"My next goal is making Australian Div 1 side for the World Cup next year," the striker said.
"I've hit most of the goals on my hockey bucket list, but winning a World Cup at 50 would be the pinnacle."
Warrant Officer Bird's love of the game began in the mining town of Mount Isa, where his parents were life members of the local hockey club and his siblings also played. With limited access to sporting gear, he found a creative solution for his first matches.
"Mum used to read four or more Mills & Boon books a week. They became my shin pads," he said.
"They were the perfect size to slide down my socks. It was stinking hot up there playing hockey in around 40 degrees, and when I'd take my socks down, the books would be drenched so Mum would just throw them out after every game."
Warrant Officer Bird's Queensland team selection capped off an intense 12 months of high-level competition.
He was named in the over-45s team in 2023, after standout performances at the state championships in Townsville, and he went on to compete in the national titles in Perth.
Warrant Officer Bird's efforts earned him a spot on the national squad that travelled to New Zealand in November 2024 for the Masters World Cup.
"We played Argentina, Bangladesh, Oman, Germany, Wales and a mixed team called the Alliance. We also played two trial games versus USA and New Zealand," he said.
"We lost to Argentina in the first game - that's when I copped a boot to the face and fractured my eye socket - but we won every match after that and ended up winning our division."
'When you're representing your country and Defence, you just strap it up and get on with it.'
The injury didn't stop him.
"I didn't know it was fractured at the time. I just sucked it up and kept going," Warrant Officer Bird said.
"I also received three tears in my hamstring - but when you're representing your country and Defence, you just strap it up and get on with it."
Warrant Officer Bird has a long history in ADF hockey, first selected in 2001 and representing the ADF in national country championships over a 10-year period.
After stepping back to focus on career progression and deployments, he returned to competitive hockey through the civilian masters circuit - encouraged by a neighbour who invited him to play for a local club in Ipswich.
"That led to trying out for the Queensland masters team and it's gone from there," he said.
Warrant Officer Bird's leadership role in both Defence and sport has developed in parallel, with each strengthening the other.
"I've been a team captain since I was 12," he said.
"Understanding strengths, working to your people's abilities - that's what good leadership is, whether you're on the field or in uniform."
Warrant Officer Bird said his role at 295 Squadron had given him flexibility to continue training and competing at a high level.
"I've been really fortunate. The support from my beautiful wife and three children is second to none and has allowed me to pursue my childhood dream of representing my country in sports," he said.
"My wife has had the hardest job, keeping the kids fed and running them around whilst I run around chasing a silly little white ball on fake grass, has been nothing short of amazing. I owe so much to her and the kids.
"Additionally, our CO, Wing Commander Daniel Cook, is a great supporter of sport and external activities.
"He understands that when people get the chance to take part in something outside of work, it helps reset morale and reduces stress."
That support has made a big difference for Warrant Officer Bird, who openly acknowledges that hockey has helped him manage personal mental health challenges.
"Hockey is my outlet," he said.
"The support from Defence - particularly in recognising that sport contributes to wellbeing - has been phenomenal."
'Everyone comes out of the woodwork when there's a World Cup on the line.'
Now in training for the Australian Masters Championships in Newcastle this September, Warrant Officer Bird has already been named in the Queensland over-50s team. The Australian World Cup squad for 2025 will be selected after that tournament.
"Everyone comes out of the woodwork when there's a World Cup on the line," he said.
"You've got ex-Olympians trialling. You have to be extremely fit and on point. I'm confident in my ability, but it's going to be a tough contest."
Warrant Officer Bird trains twice a week and plays two matches each weekend - covering more than 15km per weekend across matches.
"It's a lot of running, sprinting, thinking - it keeps you sharp," he said.
"All of this contributes to the 'Warfighter' mindset."
For other aviators considering sport, Warrant Officer Bird said: "You get 100 per cent of what you don't ask for. Start the conversation with your superiors on releasability."
"There are opportunities for all skill levels across all ADF recognised sport," he said.
"Whether you're new or experienced, there's a place for you."
He also values the camaraderie and networking that sport offers across ranks and services.
"At an ADF hockey comp, you could be playing alongside an Aircraftman, a Group Captain or even an Air Vice-Marshal, and none of that really matters on the field," Warrant Officer Bird said.
"It's about mateship, playing hard and when on the field, it's about getting the 'thing in the thing'."
