Perth Hockey Stadium upgrade plan to keep Hockey based in WA
The Western Australian Government has made a $135 million proposal to retain the High Performance hockey program in Perth, with an upgrade of Perth Hockey Stadium central to the proposal.
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.
Western Australia is among three shortlisted States to house the High Performance program, with Victoria and Australian Capital Territory still in the running. Queensland and NSW also expressed interest in becoming the new home of hockey but were not shortlisted.
As part of the bid, the WA Government has committed to redeveloping Perth Hockey Stadium into a contemporary 'Home 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.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said, “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.”
Hockey Australia’s head office is currently 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 the head office and High Performance program can work side by side.
WA Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said, “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.”
