It may well be the end of the hockey season in Australia but it is all action in the States of Queensland Northern Territory and NSW. Currently in Queensland the Australian Men’s and Women’s Masters Hockey Championships are being held in Cairns (September 26-October 11) and Brisbane (September24-October 3) respectively. While in the Northern Territory (September 25-October 2) the Men’s Australian Hockey League and in Sydney (September 25-October 2) the Women’s Australian Hockey League have commenced.
What is additionally important about these three events is that players will be out to impress National Selectors who will be using the masters events to select Australian teams to compete in the 2016 Men’s and Women’s World Masters Hockey Cup to be held in Canberra and Newcastle. While in Darwin and Sydney National Selectors will be watching attentively AHL player performances with the purpose of selecting the Olympic teams to go to Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Two ladies from ACT and Victoria sharing a post game moment
The States of Australia have sent their best to both masters events. It is a special time for the women’s masters. They are celebrating 30 years of national competition with the first official Australian Championship occurring in 1985 in Melbourne. There are 37 teams competing this year in the five year incremented age divisions starting from an over 35 years and going to an over 60 years age division. To date the completion has been fierce on the field with the usual ‘war wounds’ being experienced. Off the field the ladies have mixed together socially as they renew friendships, and collectively have enjoyed the sights of Brisbane and of course -the shopping. For further information on the progress of the event CLICK HERE
At the other end of the State in Cairns the men’s masters battle the hot humid conditions. It is expected that close to 3000 people will attend consisting of players, officials, medical and support crews as well as partners, families and friends over the 15 day event. This is a significant boost to the local economy. For further progress information CLICK HERE
Women’s and men’s masters hockey truly demonstrate the lifelong enjoyment of and participation in the sport of hockey. They make an important contribution whether as players, coaches, officials or hockey leaders to the total development of hockey in Australia. As a team sport hockey is a standout example to all other sports that sport’s participation can be for life.
Australian Hockey League (AHL)
The Australian Hockey League (AHL) is Australian hockey’s premier competition; a national championships contested by eight teams representing the eight states and territories of Australia. Athletes from the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos – Australia’s national teams – and the development and national under 21 squads compete for their home state alongside the top non-national team players in that state. This year’s tournaments in Darwin (men) and Sydney (women) will follow the same format as 2014, where AHL introduced the new quarters format with matches played in four periods of 15 minutes.
What is outstanding about AHL this year for hockey enthusiasts is that every game (48 games)can be watched live online. tenplay is Network Ten’s digital platform and the AHL is live on its website for desktop viewers. International hockey fans have the option of watching via the International Hockey Federation or on Livestream. Coverage is produced by live streaming company Hockey Zone, which is owned by Brisbane Hockey, and has been made possible thanks to the support of the State and Territory hockey associations and key sponsors.
To follow the events’ progress and watch via live streaming CLICK HERE
Go Hockey News congratulates the great work of Hockey Australia by the move to livestreaming of these events and the inclusion of sponsors’ promotion within the livestreaming format. May hockey players throughout Australia take time to watch these games. In doing so, hockey in Australia will move closer to becoming a professional sport.
