First established along with the Australia Sports activities Basis again in 2021, the Hockey Australia Basis’s premise is to boost funds and ship packages and related occasions to help the event of hockey throughout Australia.
With the assistance of an nameless donor this yr, the Basis is at the moment relaunching with three key focuses and dealing with every state and territory hockey member affiliation to advance well being and wellbeing in the neighborhood by way of hockey.
- Extending Hockey Australia’s nationwide junior participation program for five – 12-year-olds, Hookin2Hockey, into distant and regional communities
- Implementing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hockey Program throughout the nation
- Growing improved social and cultural connections and elevated well being, training and well-being outcomes.
The relaunch of the Basis coincides with the profitable supply of a two-week programme in Alice Springs not too long ago, which noticed not too long ago retired Hockeyroo Renee Taylor and Alice Spring’s raised Kookaburras star Tom Wickham encourage youngsters at college visits in help of Hockey NT and their venture to revive hockey within the city.
The Basis’s dedication within the Territory is one a part of the Hookin2Hockey First Nations Regional Venture, which has additionally seen Hookin2Hockey programmes rolled out in Rockhampton and Townsville in Queensland, Orange in regional NSW, in addition to the Kimberley Area in WA’s north, plus in Collie and Bunbury the south-west area of WA.
“I believe the Hockey Australia Basis is such a fantastic initiative,” not too long ago retired Hockeyroo, Renee Taylor mentioned.
“You have a look at the make-up of the Australian groups in the mean time, and the vast majority of our athletes are from regional and distant areas. Bringing hockey into these cities and recognising that there’s not solely expertise there but additionally communities of individuals which can be passionate in regards to the sport is a large alternative each for hockey itself and for those who may not have the chance to get entangled in any other case.”
Hockey Australia CEO, David Pryles mentioned the dedication to reaching regional and distant communities is a no brainer, given hockey has benefitted from having world-class present and alumni gamers hailing from such areas.
“In case you have a look at the Northern Territory alone, a few of Australia’s finest hockey gamers began their journeys within the area. This contains our Kookaburras, Jeremy Hayward and Tom Wickham, not too long ago retired Hockeyroo Brooke Peris in addition to a line-up of alumni, together with Nova Peris, Paige Walling, Phenya Clarke, Angela Schilling and Donna-Lee Patrick,” he mentioned.
“One of many nice issues about our sport, is you don’t must have a hockey pitch to play hockey. We’re dedicated to creating positive extra gamers can take pleasure in hockey and thrive within the sport at any degree, regardless of the place they’re from.”
A number of actions will proceed to be delivered as a part of the Basis in 2024 and 2025. Subsequent yr, the Basis will return to the Northern Territory.
Hookin2Hockey classes may also be rolled out at colleges on Friday afternoons in Phrases 1 and 4 subsequent yr. For extra details about the Hockey Australia Basis click on right here.