Hockey remains in Perth with new facility to be built

Perth will remain as the home of Hockey in Australia with the facility at Curtin to be transformed into a world-class, purpose-built hockey centre.

Hockey Australia announced Western Australia’s bid was successful over the two other shortlisted states, Victoria and the ACT. Queensland and NSW also submitted bids.

Hockey Australia's High Performance Program will stay in Perth for at least another 10 years until 2035, alongside Hockey Australia's head office, for the first time.

The current facility at Curtin University, incorporating the Perth Hockey Stadium, will be transformed into a world-class, $135 million purpose-built Australian Hockey Centre.

The new Home of Hockey will be an international-standard venue for the sport, with seating for up to 10,000 spectators, and the latest broadcasting capabilities.

It will feature three international hockey pitches, a specialist goalkeeper training facility, an indoor hockey centre and extensive recovery, gym and support facilities.

Hockey Australia’s chief executive, David Pryles, said the centre would be “the best hockey facility in the world”, while it'll serve the wider hockey community as well as the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.

The WA Government's successful bid, in partnership with Hockey WA and the Western Australian Institute of Sport, was centred around Perth's rich hockey history and ability to meet the needs of Hockey Australia's High Performance Program.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said, “This is a fantastic outcome for Western Australia and for hockey, and I have no doubt this result will be warmly welcomed by fans, players and the hockey community.

“The WA hockey program has continuously delivered world-class athletes who have achieved Olympic and World Cup gold medals for Australia, so it only makes sense that we remain the country's home of hockey. 

“I look forward to many more years of success for Australian hockey here in Perth.”

WA Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said, “This is the beginning of a new era of hockey in Australia as we get started on the McGowan Government's $135 million, purpose-built facility at Curtin University.

“The facility will be like no other. It will boast seating for up to 10,000 spectators, three international hockey pitches, an indoor hockey centre, and a specialist training facility for goal keepers.

“We are re-energised for the future of Hockey in Western Australia. I would like to acknowledge the efforts Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, who has been advocating at a federal level for the high performance program to stay in WA.”