Hockey in Western Australia is about to face its biggest ever challenge.
The AIS and Hockey Australia High Performance program, along with all the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras players, are set to leave Western Australia for the east coast when the program moves in 2018-2019.
For the future of Australian hockey, the program must move and it’s the best thing that could ever happen for both Australian hockey and WA hockey.
However, WA hockey must re-structure in order for success after this occurs. If they continue to do what they are doing now, they will fade into the background and no longer be able to lay claim to being a power of Australian hockey.
The following must occur:
The Premier 1 (MTL League) in WA must completely restructure in both men’s and women’s down to eight teams in each competition for the first two years, then expand to ten teams in the third year.
These teams should be set up as Premier 1 clubs only, there would be four clubs in the metro area and four-country based clubs:
1. North Suburban: Joondalup, North Coast Raiders, Whitfords, Hale, Newman, (other Northern suburbs based clubs.)
2. South Suburban: Fremantle, Melville, WASPS, Canning, Southern River, Dale, Curtin Trinity Pirates, (other Southern Suburbs clubs)
3. West Suburban: UWA, Suburban Lions, Westside Wolves, YMCC, (other Western Suburbs clubs)
4. East Suburban: Old Guildford, Eastern Blades, ECU Rangers, Vic Park Panthers, Kalamunda, (other Eastern suburbs clubs)
5. Rockingham/Peel: The current Rockingham Hockey Club and Peel Hockey Rebels would merge to form one club which will cover the Rockingham/Peel Region.
6. South West Strikers: would continue as they currently stand.
7. Midwest: a new team based Geraldton.
8. Goldfields: a new team based in Kalgoolie.
After the first two years, two more clubs would be added:
9. Lower Great Southern.
10. Upper Great Southern.
All metro clubs would continue, they would just play in lower grades and act as feeder clubs to the new Premier 1 clubs.
This is a bold change and I know clubs in Perth will kick and scream, but the current structure will not work when you haven’t got the Hockeyroos, Kookaburras and AIS players making the competition strong.
Once these players are gone, the competition will dramatically weaken.
It’s time to change.
kim
Guest
And with southern river installing a turf the likes of Dale and Canning will most likely fold within the next 3 years due to players flocking to the new turf.
Jazza
Guest
Grass Hockey in WA is dying and the small clubs are on the verge of collapse. If something isn't done soon there will be nothing left but the big clubs and the top leagues. A lot of player will be lost to the game forever and i would hate to see that happen considering I have played for 15+ years and i am at best on a good day a mediocre player but the worry for me is that my club is struggling to field two senior mens teams. Next season we may only have 1 senior mens side and if so i will be forced out of the game or have to relocate again Hockey WA doesn't give a shit about the lower grades anymore and we get nothing back for our money. Hell the Metro 3 mens dont even get umpires supplied anymore so we have to pay for our own umpires on top of the ridiculous fees I love hockey and i will play till i drop or i am forced from the game but seriously it breaks my heart to see somthing i love die in front of my eyes
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
DJW something must change Hockey WA can't continue the way they are, if they do hockey will wither and die on the vine in WA.
DJW
Roar Rookie
The Hockeyroos and Kookaburra players aren't available for much of the season anyway. I understand your approach, to keep the standard in the top league, but can't see it happening. Especially the big strong clubs like UWA, Melville, Wolves etc won't entertain this. Most clubs will want to keep there identity. It is tough at the moment for the clubs getting promoted, they seem to come straight back down. Hopefully not this year. I can't see the regional teams working unfortunatly, the travel burden for GER. SWS, UGS and LGS is large, even thought there is a lot of hockey talent in these areas. South West Stikers stuggle to attract the best talent from Busselton/Bunbury etc because the travel is too much. It is a bold strategy though and the two Premier leagues would produce some good hockey.
Jerome Buck
Roar Rookie
Lee I dont at this point in time know where they are relocating to, but I dont think its a big secret that Hockey Australia like Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and possible Hobart as there options.
Lee Hockey
Guest
Where on the east coast is Hockey Australia relocating to? Hopefully not Sydney, as the cost of living there would likely be too great for the players earning minimum dollars.