By Chris Dutton
It's Rio or bust for Goulburn hockey star Glenn Turner as the Olympian prepares to make a decision on whether he wants to continue his international career.
Turner has stepped down from Australian Kookaburras duties for the rest of the year and will wait until January before making a call on whether he wants to pursue his 2016 Rio Olympic Games dream.
Australia's Glenn Turner celebrates a goal against the Netherlands.Credit: Reuters
The striker will get married in November and his honeymoon with partner Rebecca clashes with the Test series against India and the Champions Trophy tournament in December.
Turner was overlooked for a spot in Australia's Commonwealth Games side, with coaches opting to give him a break from international duties.
"I know that this decision might make it a bit more difficult to make Rio, but that's on me and I believe I can get there," Turner said.
"You make sacrifices for the big ones and if I do want to get back in the squad, it's to play as much as I can, but I really want to be at Rio. It will all be focused on Rio for me and I think that's the case for everyone.
"I really, really enjoy it. But I've got priorities back home now, so it's working out the best way to do it leading into an Olympic year and how I can get my family to [the Kookaburras' base] Perth. If I can't do that, it probably won't be an option."
New Kookaburras coach Graham Reid has taken charge of the team from guru Ric Charlesworth.
With Turner unavailable for selection, goalkeeper Andrew Charter is the only Canberra player selected to play against India and in the Champions Trophy.
Turner has been juggling work commitments in Goulburn and the Kookaburras in Perth. But wants to spend more time with his family, including sons Bodhi and Deacon.
He will still play in the indoor hockey championships and is touring Singapore this week as a marquee player for a NSW side.
Turner has played 112 games for the Kookaburras, won a bronze medal at the Olympics in London two years ago, and has been a part of World Cup, Champions Trophy and Commonwealth Games glory since making his debut in 2009.
"You do have to make sacrifices and for me to be at my best I want to be in the best environment - that's one with my family and that I'm comfortable in," Turner said.
"[Rio] is not that far out of reach. But I've got to use the break to give myself the best possible chance to be able to do it.
"I'm sure I'll get the bug to play again when I'm watching from a distance and, hopefully, I'm in good nick and [able to] show I'm 100 per cent committed."
Meanwhile, Anna Flanagan, Edwina Bone and Crookwell duo Emily Smith and Kellie White have retained their places in the Hockeyroos squad for the Champions Trophy in Argentina next month.