Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, the Northern Territory Government, as we know earlier this week,
committed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to support Hockey
NT endorsing their participation in the Malaysian Hockey League next year.
It'll see the Territory Stingers become the first Australian team
to compete in the prestigious league. And joining me on
the line to tell us a little bit more is
(00:21):
Hockey NT CEO Jason Butcher. Good morning to.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
You, Hi, Katie. How are you yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Really good? Now? Mate? This seems like a significant announcement.
What's it going to mean for the Stingers?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Look, I think mainly it just allows us to consolidate
not just our program into Malaysia this year, but also
the Festival Hockey at the end of the year, and
instead of sort of scrambling to make sure that that's viable,
it now gives us the capacity to use that platform
for community stuff, our regional programs. We're doing cultural stuff
(00:56):
in Malaysia as well, We're trying to engage with a
number of different communities acted to that whole Southeast Asia
Northern Territory piece. So it just gives us capacity to
leverage the platform for the good of all in our
community to a much higher degree instead of it just
being about us getting to Malaysia to play.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
It seems like it seems like a really good move.
It seems like the right decision for the government to
make in terms of supporting hockey here in the Northern Territory.
Like you said, not just at that level, but also
at the grassroots level.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, it's a massive boost for us and we feel
like it's a reward for the efforts and the progress
that we've made in the last eighteen months to two years,
and also a belief in the vision. We believe really
strongly that the South East East Asia piece is really
promising for the whole of the Northern Territory in terms
(01:47):
of opportunity, but also a bit of a Beata stress
test for hockey in terms of what other sports in
the territory might do. We know there's some sort of
some exclusionary stuff happening around and also just logistical issue
is around our teams playing in national leagues around Australia
because of the remoteness. So we think this is a
great opportunity for everyone and we're really keen to be
(02:09):
the pioneers for it.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
What's been the reaction from some of your players and
you know, everybody within hockey here in the Northern Territory,
they must be pretty excited.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, unbelievably supportive. Our community collectively has come together and
worked really hard. There's a lot of stuff that's gone
on beneath this over a significant period of time. But
in terms of excitement, it's almost we're trying to put
a lid on it. Our community and a certainly the
players that are training and trialing at the moment to
be a part of that original squad. Yeah, Yeah, they're
(02:40):
very excited.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
It will be. It's going to be so cool now
in terms of you know, in terms of when the
Malaysian Hockey League gets underway and those games starts, So
next year, how far into next year?
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yes, I'm flying to kal tomorrow and basically the season
launch will be on Monday, two o'clock Malaysian time, So
we'll get a heap of information out here and then
around when we're playing, who we're playing, and what the
logistics of that schedule look like. Our livestream program and
also will put out our sort of tour packages for
(03:17):
members to actually travel and watch the players through sport Link,
one of our sponsors. So that'll all come out early
next week. But at this stage it's very clear to
us that we'll be traveling to Malaysia a week earlier now,
so the third of feb and our first game in
the Malaysian Hockey League will be on the fifth of February.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
It is it's very exciting stuff. And I mean you've
already touched on this, the fact that the hockey community
here in the Northern Territory is pumped about it, but
still finalizing the team at this stage, and no doubt
plenty of training happening over that Christmas period as well.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, it's really it's exciting because you know, we've got
fifty plus players in Darwin, we've got players in Perth
and around Australia, all training, but at this time of
the year, to turn up to the stadium or to
be there at the end of world work and to
see the place packed with the best of our best
or getting ready for this opportunity, it's a good feeling.
It's good for the soul.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Yeah, I bet it is. Well, all the best mate
traveling to KL and you'll have to give us an
update on how it's all looking next week or in
over the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yeah, let's chat next week, Katie. Thank you. I really
appreciate your support
Speaker 1 (04:20):
No worries, thank you, Thanks for your time this morning.