A render of the central boulevard for the new Australian Hockey Centre that has commenced construction at Curtin University.
Perth is set to solidify its position as Australia’s premier hockey destination following the Western Australian Government’s commitment of $163 million to construct a world-class Australian Hockey Centre. This new facility will cater to both amateur and professional leagues, marking a significant investment in the sport’s future in the region.
The existing Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University in Bentley will undergo a transformation into an elite centre, becoming the home of Hockey Australia’s Centre of Excellence and High-Performance program. Both the Australian men’s and women’s national teams, the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos, will train and compete at the centre alongside local club teams and Premier League squads.
Perth: A Hockey Powerhouse
The development underscores Perth’s status as a cornerstone of Australian hockey, reflecting Western Australia’s reputation as the country’s most passionate hockey community. According to Hockey WA Chief Executive Officer Graham Reid, the state boasts the highest hockey participation rates nationwide.
“We have just over 23,000 players and 180 clubs statewide. We have competitions ranging from under fives through to over 85s,” said Reid.
Reid highlighted that hockey, alongside artistic swimming, is one of only two national sport programs in WA, emphasizing the state’s long-standing leadership in the sport.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The new centre will feature a high-performance training centre, an indoor hockey facility with two courts, and four outdoor pitches, at least two of which will meet category one international standards. Additionally, the centre will include a new 1,000-seat stadium, expandable to accommodate up to 10,000 spectators during major events.
This investment is expected to attract athletes from across Australia, providing access to specialist sports lighting, quality change rooms, sports science services, and modern broadcasting capabilities. Reid expressed hope that the investment would encourage larger-scale hockey events and competitions in WA, as well as bolster grassroots participation.
“The great thing about this stadium is that it has the State level, but it also has the community level,” Reid noted. “We’re trying to base three existing community clubs here as their home ground.”
Future Prospects and Community Impact
The new facility positions Perth to potentially host significant events such as the Masters Hockey World Cup in 2030 and the annual Pro League world championships. Reid also sees opportunities to expand existing programs, such as the Youth International Cup for under 16s, which currently hosts players from countries including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea.
The project also aims to strengthen Hockey WA’s relationship with Curtin University, potentially collaborating with sports science students. The WA Government and Hockey Australia have been working together for the past three to four years to bring this project to fruition.
Government Support and Long-Term Vision
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti emphasized that the multi-million-dollar state investment would reinforce Perth’s status as a hockey juggernaut for future generations. The project is part of the Cook Government’s PlayOn WA initiative, which seeks to deliver 2030 community sport and recreation infrastructure projects across WA by 2030.
“For more than 40 years, Perth has been home to the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, and this investment ensures the next generation of WA athletes have access to facilities that match their ambition and talent,” Saffioti stated.
South Perth MP Geoff Baker echoed these sentiments, noting the facility’s potential to bring new energy to the area, attract major competitions, and create more opportunities for local families and young players to engage in hockey.
The State Government has confirmed that existing hockey turfs will remain available for training and competition throughout the construction period. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by April 2028, with phase two following by May 2029.
