Real estate agent who scores goals for fun for Aussies

CHENNAI: Australian hockey star Blake Govers straddles two very different worlds with conviction. Soft-spoken away from the game in his role as a real estate agent, Govers adopts a far more expressive language on the pitch, where his hockey stick does the talking.The 28-year-old from Perth is renowned for his drag-flicking prowess, having scored over 100 goals for his national side. He was part of the silver medal-winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics and played a key role in Australia’s gold-medal triumph at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Beyond the field, that elite sporting life gives way to a very different routine. Since hockey does not provide the desired income in Australia, Govers works in real estate to support himself. “Real estate is something that I enjoy, and I have been doing it since 2019. I have a great boss who takes over my work when I am not in Perth and we enjoy a good rapport. I started investing in a few properties when I was young, and it was just a hobby at the start. I enjoy communicating with people, and it works well for hockey. Everything has just kind of fallen into place for me,” Grovers, who represents Tamil Nadu Dragons in the men’s Hockey India League (HIL), told TOI.Govers has played for quite a few clubs like Wimbledon, Bloemendaal and NSW Waratahs. “Playing hockey for various teams with different cultures helps, as you handle people from varied backgrounds. The lessons learned from the sport come in handy while selling houses, because you deal with many from different demographics. It is more about communication and performing under pressure, making sure everyone feels that they are definitely looked after as you deal with a lot of emotions,” Govers added.To further enhance his skills, Govers is currently pursuing a degree in finance and property investment at the Curtin University in Western Australia. With a laugh, he added that he feels like a jack of all trades and master of none. “Sometimes, I just wish that I was a full-time hockey player but financially it is not possible in Perth. The HIL is good because it allows me to settle in and be a full-time athlete again. I can focus on my body, train properly, and give my full attention to hockey.”Though many of his teammates play overseas as full-time professionals, Govers prefers to stay in Perth, prioritising his family and a balanced life while continuing to excel in hockey.