The McGowan Government – in partnership with Hockey WA – has made a $135 million proposal to retain the High Performance hockey program in Perth.
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman led a delegation of Hockey WA, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and the Western Australian Institute of Sport representatives to Sydney last week with the proposal.
WA is among three shortlisted States to house the High Performance program, with Victoria and Australian Capital Territory still in the running.
WA’s bid was centred around Perth’s rich hockey history and ability to meet the needs of Hockey Australia’s High Performance program – with a focus on athlete wellbeing, based on its connection to the broader hockey community, strong domestic competition, proximity to Asia, lifestyle appeal, athlete support networks, and world-class facilities.
As part of the bid, the McGowan Government has committed to redeveloping Perth Hockey Stadium into a contemporary ‘³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ of Hockey’ that is a world-class, high-performance centre and international competition venue, which will include three hockey pitches, a specialist training facility, and an indoor hockey centre.
Currently, the head office is located in Melbourne, while the High Performance program is based in Perth. If the bid is successful, it will be the first time in Australian history that Hockey Australia’s head office and the High Performance program can work side by side.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Perth has been Australia’s home of hockey since 1984, overseeing four decades of sustained success at the elite level for the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos.
“The WA hockey program was the first elite sporting program established outside Canberra and has proven remarkably successful in delivering Olympic and World Cup gold medals for Australia.
“Perth’s program has produced many of the world’s best – so it only makes sense that we keep the nation’s home of hockey right here in Western Australia.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“We’re excited to transform the current facilities at Curtin University into a brand new world-class Australian Hockey Centre, with the athlete at the centre of all decisions.
“WA is close to Asia, has the perfect climate, lifestyle, and opportunities to deliver high-quality outcomes for the athletes and the sport of hockey.
“We have the strongest hockey community in the country – with the highest participation rate for the sport – and it would be deeply disturbing to the hockey community – indeed the State – if Perth was to lose its High Performance program.”
