annual report 2017 President’s report 2 Chief Executive’s report 3 Message from the ASC 5 Men's High Performance report 6 Women's High Performance report 7 Hockey Australia's High Performance report 9 Participation report 11 Commissions & Committees (Indoor) 12 Commissions & Committees (Country) 13 Commissions & Committees (Masters) 14 Championship Results 16 Financials 19 Life Members & Hall of Fame 36 Sponsors 38 contents president's report On behalf of the Board of Directors of Hockey Australia, hard with the FIH to make sure this happens and that the event is a It is truly remarkable to me, and one of our most unique qualities, I am pleased to provide this President's Report for 2017 to commercial success. that hockey spans the age groups from 5 – 75 and caters for boys and girls, men and women, and from bush to beach. all of our Members, our players, volunteers, stakeholders We had a change of Chief Executives in 2017 with Cam Vale leaving and fans of Hockey. Hockey Australia in March 2017 after four years at the helm. Cam The support we receive from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) provided sound leadership throughout his tenure implementing a new is incredibly important to us. The ASC have continued to provide Looking back over the last year, I am proud of the progress that events strategy that has been incredibly valuable. On behalf of the assistance to us that is above and beyond the high performance Hockey Australia has made in what has been a challenging period for Board, I would like to thank Cam for his contribution and we wish him and participation grant funding. In particular, I would like to the Board. On the back of the Rio Olympic Cycle and with the changes the very best in his new role. In July 2017 the Board were excited to acknowledge the ASC for their ongoing support to hockey, it is needed that were made at the end of 2016, last year provided the Board and appoint Matt Favier as the new CEO. Coming from the AIS, Matt brings and appreciated. I with an opportunity to fully appreciate the scale and scope of the a wealth of knowledge and expertise in high performance sport and issues confronting our organisation and the sport nationally. As we look forward to 2018, further work regarding our plans to sports participation and has made a quick transition into the role. revitalise the current Australian Hockey League will be among our As is the case for many sports, and Hockey is no different, ensuring From a participation perspective, it is clear to me that more work lead priorities. We make no secret of our ambition to reposition that we remain relevant, visible and vibrant in the future is critical. needs to be done across the country to drive awareness and our highest level domestic competition and ensure that it not only A key to our future success will be the extent to which all Hockey participation, particularly for young players. Our ‘Hookin2Hockey’ provides a platform for our best players but also improves commercial stakeholders can better engage and work together in the interests of product along with the ‘Stick2Hockey’ strategy remain central to our opportunities, drives participation and creates a new fan base. progressing our sport. The initial step in this collaborative approach approach. However, we need to ensure we are providing suitably commenced during the year with two successful planning meetings To my HA Board colleagues, and to all State and Territory Presidents flexible and affordable opportunities to engage new players and with State and Territory Associations to create a national strategic and Board members across the country, I thank you on behalf of all the participants as well as retain and develop existing participants and plan to develop Hockey in Australia. hockey community for your contribution. Your hard work and tireless volunteers across all areas of the sport. I am extremely pleased that efforts in governing this sport are important and greatly appreciated. The continued progress of both of our national Teams has been among the newly identified strategic priorities, that priority number To all of the thousands of volunteers who commit so much time, wonderful to see and while we are only early into the new Olympic one has an emphasis on engaging recreational hockey players as this energy and dedication to delivering hockey at the grassroots level, cycle, both of our teams have shown strong progress throughout is an area that we must pursue to grow our game. I am extremely grateful for your passion and commitment. the year. As President, I am extremely proud of the performances of Throughout the year, our national championship portfolio continues to the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos throughout 2017. The men had an To all of our program partners and commercial partners, I thank you deliver excellence by way of providing events for our high performing outstanding year culminating in being crowned world number one for your valued and ongoing support. players across the various age groups. These events could not take following the World League Final. The Hockeyroos continue to make place without the support from our wonderful group of volunteers I am looking forward to 2018 with optimism and a year of opportunity good progress and finished the year world ranked fifth. I am excited across the country. Thank you to all of the umpires, umpire coaches for Hockey in Australia. Thank you. about the opportunity that the Commonwealth Games will provide and technical officials for continuing to provide your professional skills for both of our teams and for fans of Hockey and we will be seeking to to ensure these events are delivered to the highest standards. leverage this event to drive increased awareness. Over a two week period in October 2017, 613 hockey matches were The Hockey Pro League remains an exciting project for hockey being played by 170 teams, consisting 2755 players, supported by around the world. Much work needs to be done to ensure our home Melanie Woosnam 226 officials in three locations across Australia. series of matches are delivered successfully and we will be working President 2 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S report In many ways, 2017 has been a transition year for Hockey revenue targets. Steps have been taken to develop a more Over the course of the year, a great deal of work has been Australia. As the incoming CEO mid-way through the year, conservative budget for 2018, coupled with tighter financial undertaken to progress with the merger of the Men’s and and less than 10 months before the 2018 Gold Coast controls across the business with a view to ensuring a surplus is Women’s Masters. This work will continue in 2018 with a view to Commonwealth Games, it was important to strike a balance achieved at the end of next year. a single Master’s Committee being established by December 2018. between ensuring the high-performance unit received the A key area of focus has been the identification of four strategic Looking ahead to 2018, we are excited about the opportunities best support available, and endeavouring to understand priorities for Hockey in Australia. Importantly, these priorities that the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will provide. We have the challenges and opportunities as quickly as possible. were identified in consultation with the Member Associations high expectations of both National Teams and we will be seeking and set the framework by which the sport will work together to to leverage this opportunity to increase awareness of the sport Under the leadership of President Melanie Woosnam, Hockey impact on growth and the sustainability of hockey in Australia. across Australia. Australia has worked hard to establish a very clear focus on the areas that matter most to the sport. Ensuring the long-term The priority areas are: In the early phase of 2018, a decision to progress with the viability of Hockey in Australia is a foremost priority and we implementation of a revised Australian Hockey League will 1. STRATEGIC PRIORITY ONE: Engage recreational hockey recognise that to grow the sport in the future, all areas must work be made. It is important that Hockey has a national league consumers to grow participation of the game, including together. Our approach to engage, communicate, and consult will product that is accessible to all fans of the sport and provide an through development of new game formats continue to underpin our way of working. enhanced commercial platform for both Hockey Australia and 2. STRATEGIC PRIORITY TWO: Drive sport entertainment events Member Associations. Throughout the year, both of our National teams continued to that capture the nation’s imagination and raise awareness of achieve strong performances as they build towards the 2018 We will be looking forward to progressing with the delivery the game. These include the introduction of the Pro League, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and 2020 Olympic Games. of the Hockey Pro League with the FIH. Although this event is and a revitalised Australian Hockey League not scheduled for full delivery until January 2019, a great deal The men finished the year ranked number one in the world after 3. STRATEGIC PRIORITY THREE: Unlock One Hockey to deliver of preparation is required in advance to support what is an winning the 2017 World League Final against reigning Olympic efficient, relevant and streamlined services across all states ambitious and exciting project for international hockey. gold medallists, Argentina. Their performances across the year and territories demonstrate just how competitive the Kookaburra’s have become I would like to thank the Hockey Australia Directors, our various under the guidance of Head Coach, Colin Batch.