'LOOSE lips sinks ships' was an adage used by the Allies during World War II, alluding to the fact that letting slip some vital information about the sailing times and destinations of ships could eventually lead to the sinking of a troop ship, battle cruiser or aircraft carrier.

There were no loose lips in the Northern Rivers recently when Burringbar's hockey champion, Matthew Butturini, informed his family that he had been selected in the 16-man Kookaburras squad to represent Australia at the London Olympics.

The squad was officially released on Monday, June 18 but Matthew loosened his lips somewhat the previous Friday to inform his parents, brothers and grandparents that he was to play in his first Olympic Games.

"He stressed to us that we couldn't let anyone else know because the naming of the side had been embargoed until the Monday," said Matthew's proud mother, Janelle.

Also 'in' on the news were husband, John, Matthew's brothers Andrew and Nicholas, maternal grandparents John and Orene Irby and paternal grandmother, Patricia Butturini.

"Of course we all wanted to tell someone but I'm proud to say that the news didn't leak out at all," said Mrs Butturini.

"I knew it would be hard not telling close friends so I decided to stay at home away from any temptation but John was out all weekend at hockey and golf and he told me that it was one of the hardest things he's every done not blurting out the news."

John and Janelle have been supportive of Matthew's career ever since the 24-year-old - he turns 25 during the games - started playing the game at Burringbar as a five-year-old.

They have watched him progress from a skinny little kid, struggling to hold onto his stick, to become of the country's great hockey players.

His skills saw him selected in Tweed Border junior age representative teams, state schoolboy sides and open teams before making his international debut for Australia against the Netherlands in 2009.

Butturini's powerful displays in defence helped Australia win the 2009 Championships Trophy gold medal - the first of many successes with the national team.

After helping steer Australia to the gold medal at the 2010 World Cup, Butturini struggled with a series of nagging injuries for the second half of 2010 before returning to his brilliant best to pick up his second Champions Trophy gold medal in Auckland last year.

His parents were there to witness his performances and will also be in the grandstand throughout all the Kookaburra's matches during their Olympic campaign.

Accompanying John and Janelle to London in time for the Kookaburra's opening match against South Africa on July 30 will be brother Andrew, Matthew's aunt, Marie Higgins of Murwillumbah and the champ's girlfriend, Cassandra Potter.

There'll be no warnings about loose lips and keeping quiet when that lot get to London - they'll be giving full voice in support of Matthew and his fellow Kookaburras.