Hooker started his playing career with Mount Colah Soccer Club and was a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program, granted a scholarship in 1984 and 1985.

He later finished his career in the NSW Premier League with APIA Leichhardt and Belconnen Blue Devils.

From 1995 to 1998 he was a regular selection in the national team, including inclusion in the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup squad.

[3] In 2010, following the appointment of Holger Osieck as Socceroos head coach, Hooker and Aurelio Vidmar were employed as assistants.

[4] After over a decade out of top level coaching, he returned to join Western Sydney Wanderers when Kat Smith left the club 2 weeks prior to the start of the 2023–24 A-League Women season.