Olympic Silver Medalist Matt Dawson Set for Return to NSW Pride

Olympic Silver medallist and two-time Hockey One winner Matt Dawson will make a spectacular return to the competition and the NSW Pride to bolster the Pride Men’s chances of winning the 2025 season.

Recently retired from international hockey after the 2024 Olympics, Dawson last played in the national competition back in 2022 as part of the triumphant NSW Pride team that won Gold. His return to the side for the last game and finals of the 2025 Hockey One season comes on the back of Dylan Downey and Toby Mallon being withdrawn from the squad to attend the Junior World Cup, leaving a position open for Dawson to slot back in.

NSW Pride Men Head Coach Kieran Govers said there has been an ongoing conversation with Dawson about getting him involved in the 2025 season, and that with the changing circumstances the opportunity arose to bring him into the squad to replace the outgoing younger stars.

“Dawso continues to be one of the best players in the Perth competition over in Western Australia,” Govers said. “He will play a major role within our team – not just as part of the defensive group, but also with his leadership and calmness around the group.”

“He has a wealth of experience and will provide solidarity for our defence,” he said.

Dawson has been in the process of relocating back to NSW with his partner while also completing his final placement as part of his studies to become a primary school teacher, which made it difficult to commit to a full season of Hockey One due to the timing. Conversations with Govers and Captain Jack Hayes made it clear that there was an opportunity to join the team late in the season if he was available.

“I didn’t want to come in and take someone’s spot,” Dawson said, “but it’s pretty much a straight swap for Dylan Downey, who’s been great as part of the defensive group and played a lot of minutes. Hopefully I can pick up where he leaves, but it’s exciting to get to play with some guys I haven’t played with before, as well as link back up with some old teammates,” he said.

Dawson will join the squad for their round 7 match against the Perth Thundersticks in Perth this Sunday, and will then stay with the squad for the final in Melbourne the following weekend.

“It’s been an incredible season so far. What Kieran and the boys have done has been impressive. The games have been hard fought, and it won’t be any different against Perth, but if we can keep doing what we’ve been doing we’ll be hard to beat and put in a strong challenge for the Gold,” he said.