Despite the introduction of free to air commercial digital TV channels there is still a lack of dedicated hockey TV programs considering the huge number of hockey participants and supporters around the world. The growth of You Tube is a living example of how hockey lovers want to watch hockey related videos. The extension of this demand would be to create more hockey dedicated commercial structured free to air hockey TV programs that would attract more ‘needed’ sponsorship dollars to our sport. However there appears not. There are many reasons for the ‘not’ but there is one exception which is ‘paving the way’ for changing this ‘lack lustre’ media market position.
Hockey Zone was launched in 2012 as an initiative of Hockey Brisbane in association with a talented film producer Paul Mills. Hockey Zone is viewed on TV4ME throughout Australia. The show has seen a meteoric rise from humble beginnings, now boasting a global audience through its viewing through its created YouTube channel. The show which evolved from local coverage of Brisbane Division 1 down to Junior 1 games on community television now includes segments on clubs, players, coaching and equipment creating stars from some unlikely sources. The decision to incorporate Junior games was pivotal on finding a sponsor and “with the backing of Powell Industrial we are now able to give recognition to the skills and efforts of our younger players with TV exposure. By seeing themselves in the media we hope to sow them the profile they deserve and encourage them to stay in the sport” Mr Mills said.
In just one year not only has the show aired nationwide on free to air digital television but has also received 120,000 hits to its YouTube channel from 133 different countries, showing the desire of the hockey community for more media coverage of our sport. Hockey Zone, which is produced by Hockey Brisbane last season covered 115 games, 23 of which were live streamed free of charge around the world.
Producer Paul Mills says “We know that the edited highlights of the games are hugely popular both on television and in the extended format on Youtube, the general feedback from players is how great is to see themselves and their sport given quality coverage in a variety of media, but we also want to look at more educational items such as the laws of the game.”
In 2013 Hockey Zone will continue to push the boundaries to drive the show and the sports coverage in the right direction.
As a general rule the program shows highlights of 3 games per week, previously all division one games and filmed on a Saturday afternoon at the State Hockey Centre. This year Hockey Brisbane has agreed to take the show more on road, with games being filmed at all Brisbane venues and even including segments from other associations around Queensland and the rest of the country.
Every month games will be is live streamed and the offer is out there to take the show further afield should other associations be willing to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr Mills said “Live streaming Saturday night games enable several really positive things to happen. Firstly we have the ability to draw a crowd to the venue as we are not competing with all the other games on a Saturday and hope that the local hockey community will embrace the opportunity to watch the top players both men and women live, with a snag in one hand and a drink in the other. Lastly for those who cannot make it to the ground the live streaming offers a regular time where you can sit down and watch full coverage of some top hockey in the comfort of your home (or on your smart phone) anywhere in the world.”
Coverage of the U21 men’s national in Brisbane will be happening in April, with several live streamed games. On the 7th of April QLD will play NSW at 8pm on the Sunday night and feature in live coverage, followed the next week by all 4 games on the final day.
Hockey Zone will continue to shine the spotlight on our younger players this season with many of the coaching segments featuring budding prospects and a number of local schools were visited to find out how our game is being taught to complete beginners.
Like any produced commercial TV program there are costs that need to be met. Hockey lovers by watching Hockey Zone provide a basis for creating advertising opportunities for hockey sponsors and other businesses to reach their target audience which is the viewer. Therefore it is in the interest of our sport for all hockey associations and the governing body to support and market Hockey Zone and any other commercially viable TV and IPTV (Internet television) channel that is dedicated to giving hockey a greater public exposure.
Mr Mills recognises this need; “We are also looking for local businesses who either make hockey related products or are the employers of our players, as we want to identify not only what you need to play the game but also what our players do while they are not on the field. We have some of the most talented sports people in the country playing hockey and the show is a great way to profile what it takes to reach the top in a sport that is largely unfunded, the standard of dedication and education of the hockey community is something that should be highlighted.”
If you would like more information about Hockey Zone the program, the live streaming or have your business featured in the show, you can contact Paul Mills on 07 3865 3032.
