It is now time in Australia for our very own version of the Hockey Indian League.
Why? because if we don’t do something pretty soon, the sport of hockey will lose any space it had in the market.
We see the success of the Big Bash League in cricket for both men and women, the all new women’s AFL and the brand new Super Netball League in Australia. Therefore, a hockey league is bound to be a success.
It’s time more than ever for Australian hockey to develop our own Super League.
The Australian Hockey League has played a part for many years now, but its not a true league, it’s really just the old State Championships given a fancy name.
Now I do know that Hockey Australia are in the process of moving towards a professional league, but I think the speed may well now need to pick up even more.
What would my new Super League look like?
Well here is my proposal.
To start with I would not use the current 11-a-side Olympic format, but instead use the very successful Ric Charlesworth-designed Super Nines format.
The teams would not be state-based but franchises, and I would have ten franchises in total to start out with.
These would be:
1. Perth
2. Adelaide
3. Sydney
4. Melbourne
5. Brisbane
6. Hobart
7. Newcastle
8. Auckland
9. Christchurch
10. Geelong
Each franchise would have a playing list of 24, which can include two over-season imports and must include three players 21 and under drawn from the teams local area.
Each team would play each other in two series of three matches one home and one away, with the final four contesting a best of three finals series in a 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 fashion. These would be based on one home game for the lower-ranked team and two home games for the higher-ranked team.
The grand final would be a best of three series as well with the lower ranked side hosting one game and the high ranked side getting two game at home
I think this would be an exciting format and could prove very successful.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Interesting concept ideas not sure how it would work.
NaBUru38
Guest
How about men and women alternating quarters?
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
That is perhaps the likely direction that Hockey Australia is heading if the resent AHL is any guide, I also think they are thinking other options to.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Rather than our own Super League, would the formation of a broader SE Asian competition have merit? Two or three teams from Australia competing against sides from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia? In this structure there is greater scope for television rights and corporate sponsorship whilst acting as a professional sports option for those playing in state based competitions.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Blair the game is moving into a professional era, people have to accept there is going to be change, and they have to be prepared to move forward, if not they will just get left behind.
Blair
Guest
I think it is a great idea. But I think it's going to be one that is extremely difficult to make viable as you will need to find a significant amount of funding for these francises. I know this is what HA has in mind as it was a topic discussed after the 2016 AHL. As someone who has played AHL for the last 10yrs I just hope they don't lose focus on the importance of the AHL in improving the standard of hockey in Australia. If they have the money to spend on an additional competition they should have more funding to go into AHL, national programs, state programs and indoor hockey.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Not a bad idea Ben.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Also Blair this is not a state based format its a franchise based format, the teams would need to be placed in the markets where hockey can get bang for its buck, not sure it can in Darwin sorry.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Bob Indoor is a great game all version of hockey are great, but Field Hockey is the Olympic game and its the won that leads the charge on the international stage and as such thats why a new professional league has to be that. I also think Beach Hockey has high appeal but again its not the main Olympic version.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Blair this doesn't replace the AHL, this becomes a new professional league and the AHL reverts back to basically what it is a State Championship. Also I think you will find allot more people in hockey today are thinking my way, including those key players within Hockey Australia.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Thats yesterday's thinking, not the way people in the Sport are thinking today.
Bob
Guest
Why field hockey why not indoor , It's better to watch on TV. Is more exciting , lots of goals scored . Each state could have 2 teams and play the same format you have put up . Hockey Australia has never got behind indoor .Australian teams are self funded. Maybe hockey Australian to scared to promote indoor as more people will enjoy watching the game .There was a few Australian kookaburras playing for there state in January, you could not get a seat most games . I love hockey and would watch any hockey on TV , but guys you must admit it field hockey can be a bit boring to watch on telly . Promote indoor as the new exciting game .
Dom
Guest
Don't think he's being negative mate. It's the main issue for why it probably hasn't been done yet. The top 20-25 contracted Australian players for both male and female get bare minimum wages and rely heavily on government grants to live a normal life (movies,eating out etc). The ahl last year in Perth was contested between the opens men and woman's. Also at the same time as the u/13s boys and girls. The crowd was mainly parents or partners of all the different states and territories. 24 players per team will have to give up work for the duration of the tournament and expect to be paid something reasonable. Plus also the coaches,medical staff, flights etc. Cricket Australia and the Afl are very wealthy established organisation who Im sure had some funding input behind the big bash and woman's afl aswell as the sponsors. Hockey Australia is not quite the same & I'm not sure there is the sponsors out there willing to take a punt on this? I hope there is! Love the idea mate and wish it would happen! But don't be putting people down for raising the point that is the biggest issue!
Blair
Guest
Unfortunately hockey is self-funded and all of us have other work or study commitments. We have already shown that home/away does not work as this makes it far more expensive and more difficult to take leave from work. We also have to encourage numbers to stay in the sport for the sport to remain competitive and for Australia to maintain/improve its player standard. Also where is Darwin or Canberra in this list. What would territory kids have to aspire to? This format needs to be an addition to the calendar not a replacement of AHL.
Ben
Guest
My thoughts are to add the west club teams from each state (similar to EHL) but have the state players play for their relevant club teams if selected which would open up more spaces for developing state players, whist keeping the level high. Then add the nz teams too. The more teams the better and play a knockout pool similar to what happens at EHL. Have it televised and streamed.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Well Johnno that is about what I thought, so your really not qualified to speak it about the game I know and luv are you then.
Johnno
Guest
I've been watching Olympoc games Hockey since 1988, I tune in once very 4 years and watch hockey from the semi-finals onwards at the Olympics once very 4 years.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Again Johnno you keep looking at negatives you have nothing positive to say. Glen I like what you had to say, but I suspect Johnno you have never seen a game of hockey in your life let alone played it, and its only AFL for you and anything else can get lost.
Johnno
Guest
Travel costs are way cheaper in South Africa as is cost of living.
Glen
Guest
Canberra a must - a strong domestic competition there (8 men's grades with 8-12 teams in each grade). North Queensland has a small player base due to a drain of youngsters to Brisbane, but a strong fraternity and support base. NZ hockey is booming, I'd include at least one NZ team. Not sure about Newcastle - don't hear much about hockey there, but other strong regions include Tamworth (bring back the Tamworth Frogs) and Illawarra. Money may be an issue, but including Malaysia, Singapore etc... Brings in dollars. South Africa have just launched their Premier Hockey League (PHL) and it's working, HIL is a great success and the EHL is drawing bigger crowds each year.