Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now let me take an absolute change of pace because
we had some fantastic news late yesterday that for the
first time in eight years, international hockey is coming back
to the top end. Joining me on the line is
Hockey nt CEO Jason Butcher. Good morning to you, Hi,
How are you yeah? Really good?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Now?
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The Oceania Cup it's expected to deliver well a thrilling
spectacle as the national sides take part in the best
of three test match series. Tell me a little bit
more about it, Butch, and how big a coop this
is for the Northern Territory, Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's massive. We're talking about the most significant hockey event
that we have ever hosted in the Northern Territory. World
Cup qualifiers, two powerhouses in world hockey obviously our very
own coooker Barros and hockey Rows and playing the black
sticks our cross transmit rivals. So it's going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
It will be amazing. So talk us through. So who
exactly are we expecting to see play and how many matches?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So it's the best of three test matches for both
the men and the women first week of September. I
think it's going to be on Thursday, the fourth and
then the Saturday and the Sunday, so a week of
pretty intense hockey at the MWt Hockey Center, which obviously
leads into World Cup, yeah, selection qualification, and we also have,
(01:26):
because of Oceania, the potential for emerging nations like Popu,
New Guinea, Fiji, some of these nations to attend as well,
which will be very exciting for local community.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
It is wonderful. It's going to be fantastic for the
local community. And I would imagine that there's been quite
a bit of work happening behind the scenes to get
this moving.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, we had amazing sort of collaboration with MT MECH
and also MT Government and we've been working through this
with Hockey Australia and the Oceanic Hockey Federation, so lots
of key stakeholders and all very keen to bring international
hockey back to Darwin. And I also, you know, it's
a bit of a testament to the work done by
(02:08):
our community over the last two years to start making
hockey strong again. So it's a tick of approval and confidence, I.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Guess, and you touched on the fact that it is
obviously going to it's going to play a big pivotal
role in determining qualification as well from what I can
gather for the twenty twenty six fih Hockey World Cup
set to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, talk
us through how that's going to work and just how
pivotal these matches are going to be.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Well. Essentially, the winner takes that allocated spot from Oceania
and then the loser has to travel around the world
in repcharge competitions trying to fight their way back in
through the back door to earn the right. So big,
big prize at stake.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yeah, it most certainly is. It's a massive price, one
that anybody in sport would be absolutely frothing to to get. Now,
tell me, in terms of where they're playing, they're obviously
the matches are going to be at out there at
Marara on the hockey Fields.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yep, mw T Hockey Center, home home of hockey in
the Northern Territory, So the fixtures will be there, and yeah,
we'll right in the middle of our local community and
then obviously interstate, international visitors and a lot of people
coming in into our backyard to see this spectacle.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Now, you know, in terms of the development of hockey,
and I know this is something you've been working really
hard on. But in terms of sort of young Territorians
being able to see hockey played at you know, they're
at Marra on the on you know, the area that
they usually play. How important is it, you know when
you look at at at you know, sort of seeing
(03:50):
the opportunity that you can that you can have in
the sport.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, we're really big as you know on aspiration and
opportunity and that's part of you know, the work we've
been doing to get into the Malaysian Hockey League, so
obviously announcement around that earlier in the week as well
our four year partnership with them. Novaperis said this at
the press conference yesterday. You can't be what you can't see,
and so to have the best in the world in
(04:16):
our backyard, showcasing what hockey can look like and making
it real for our kids is really powerful. And you know,
also we're hopeful that Jeremy Hayward gets selected. We sure,
we're sure he will. And then Leon Heyward, his brother
who's got a dual citizenship, who plays for the Black Fix.
They can juke it out in front of their family
and friends and we can see the next group of
(04:39):
emerging Australian stars on our backyard as well.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, it'll be fantastic. Hey, talk us through because you
and I have discussed previously the Malaysian Hockey League and
going down that path. So what happened earlier in.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The week, so we obviously had the one year invite
which is a starting point for us to go and
play in Malaysia February next starting February next year, and
we're in KL for a week working through the lotistics
of that, and what has now come from that is
that we have a four year partnership. There's some other
things around cross cultural awareness and education and things that
(05:15):
our players will do in Malaysia and vice versa when
Malaysia come here. We're still working through potential home games.
And the other thing that we've discussed, which is in
the agreement with SIGN, is that over this period of
this four years, will work together to put in place
of joint submission to get back into Hockey one. So
that obviously gives us stronger capacity and builds our relationship
(05:38):
with Malaysia and Southeast Asia, which is something that's important
to the Northern Territory. As a whole as well, So
we think, you know, going forward, how we build that
together is really going to consolidate our place in the
Oceanic and Southeast Asia region and make us stronger in
Australian hockey as well.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, good stuff. Look, I think it's I think it's
really good and I love the way that Territorian is
obviously embrace sport. But what I can see and I
am at Marara, is that certainly when you talk about
junior hockey, there seems to be a huge uptick and
there seems to be a lot of kids playing hockey.
It's a great sport. I think it's wonderful, you know,
no matter what sport Territorians choose, but it is really
(06:14):
good to see the large numbers that you guys seem
to have at the moment.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, this year has been a really strong year for us.
From under twelve so tens under eight, under six is
all those grades has twenty six percent growth. So we're
the second strongest state or territory in Australia from a
hockey perspective with our junior growth, which is a really
big tick for all the work done by our community,
and you know that's going to remain a focus, the
(06:40):
aspirational piece of the Stingers and all the other things
we're doing are related to providing better opportunities for our
future generations and an environment that they can belong to
and love being a part of, which is hopefully going
to enrich their whole lives.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
And look, I know that at the moment as well,
there's some work happening across the board into terms of
the future plans for Maurra as a whole, as a
big sporting venue. Have we got the infrastructure that we
need when it comes to hockey or do you think
that there needs to be a bit more put into
the infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, Look, we have the bare bones and we're involved
in conversations with government at all levels our facility. The
reality is our facility is forty years old and we're
going to need some government support for the Oceana Cups
to upgrade some things and then long term, obviously a
forty year facility, forty year old facility need some work
and we're probably behind in some of those areas, so
(07:33):
certainly from a hockey perspective, there's going to have to
be some support to an investment in getting that up
to speed in the long term.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Yeah, look, I know most people that listen to the show,
I would know that I'm a big supporter of investment
into sport, particularly when you look at it at that
grassroots level and what it can then mean in terms
of even bringing further further involvement in the sport and
bringing international players what we've spoken about this morning to
the Northern Territory. But I just think, you know, Marara
(08:04):
is a fantastic venue in the sense that everything's already there.
If we can invest, you know, a bit further in
all the different sports, and I know it's easier said
than done, that does cost a lot of money, But
then when you look at the different carnivals and the
different things that you know can have happening in the
Northern Territory, surely you know that investment is worthwhile.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah. Look, I'm biased, but I think sport is one
of the vehicles that can help with the social change
we're all looking for. The different conversations you've already had
this morning, give kids a sense of purpose, something to
belong to, a place where they have great mentors and
great things to be involved in. So I think sport
is and always has been one of the answers for
(08:44):
our society and our community, and certainly from a hockey perspective,
we haven't an extraordinary heritage and story which we'd probably
let slip as a collective in recent times and over
the last two years, we've been working hard to rebuild
the strength in hockey and the health of hockey, and
I guess to earn the right to have conversations to
get the increased support that we need. You know, we
(09:07):
need support for the Malaysian Hockey League, we need support
with our facility, and we're having conversations with that. So
what I would say to our corporate community and our
company is get on board because we're doing this for
our kids.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Hey, botch, before I let you go, big call earlier
in the week by Brooke Peris to retire from international hockey.
She has had an illustrious career, hasn't she.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yes, that's an amazing ambassador for territory sport Hockey Australia,
you know, our indigenous representation. She's an amazing person and
some you know, a career that we're extremely proud of
and grateful for. But yeah, she's she's done a lot.
Two hundred and forty odd caps, and she's obviously decided
that she's got other things to do with it in
(09:51):
her life, and we're looking forward to what that represents,
because I've got no doubt she's going to contribute to society,
society in a significant way going forward.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Yeah, good on her. Well Hockey and CEO Jason Butcher,
good to speak with you this morning. Thanks so much
for your time.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Thank you,
Now let me take an absolute change of pace because
we had some fantastic news late yesterday that for the
first time in eight years, international hockey is coming back
to the top end. Joining me on the line is
Hockey nt CEO Jason Butcher. Good morning to you, Hi,
How are you yeah? Really good?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Now?
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The Oceania Cup it's expected to deliver well a thrilling
spectacle as the national sides take part in the best
of three test match series. Tell me a little bit
more about it, Butch, and how big a coop this
is for the Northern Territory, Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's massive. We're talking about the most significant hockey event
that we have ever hosted in the Northern Territory. World
Cup qualifiers, two powerhouses in world hockey obviously our very
own coooker Barros and hockey Rows and playing the black
sticks our cross transmit rivals. So it's going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
It will be amazing. So talk us through. So who
exactly are we expecting to see play and how many matches?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
So it's the best of three test matches for both
the men and the women first week of September. I
think it's going to be on Thursday, the fourth and
then the Saturday and the Sunday, so a week of
pretty intense hockey at the MWt Hockey Center, which obviously
leads into World Cup, yeah, selection qualification, and we also have,
(01:26):
because of Oceania, the potential for emerging nations like Popu,
New Guinea, Fiji, some of these nations to attend as well,
which will be very exciting for local community.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
It is wonderful. It's going to be fantastic for the
local community. And I would imagine that there's been quite
a bit of work happening behind the scenes to get
this moving.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, we had amazing sort of collaboration with MT MECH
and also MT Government and we've been working through this
with Hockey Australia and the Oceanic Hockey Federation, so lots
of key stakeholders and all very keen to bring international
hockey back to Darwin. And I also, you know, it's
a bit of a testament to the work done by
(02:08):
our community over the last two years to start making
hockey strong again. So it's a tick of approval and confidence, I.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Guess, and you touched on the fact that it is
obviously going to it's going to play a big pivotal
role in determining qualification as well from what I can
gather for the twenty twenty six fih Hockey World Cup
set to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, talk
us through how that's going to work and just how
pivotal these matches are going to be.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Well. Essentially, the winner takes that allocated spot from Oceania
and then the loser has to travel around the world
in repcharge competitions trying to fight their way back in
through the back door to earn the right. So big,
big prize at stake.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yeah, it most certainly is. It's a massive price, one
that anybody in sport would be absolutely frothing to to get. Now,
tell me, in terms of where they're playing, they're obviously
the matches are going to be at out there at
Marara on the hockey Fields.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yep, mw T Hockey Center, home home of hockey in
the Northern Territory, So the fixtures will be there, and yeah,
we'll right in the middle of our local community and
then obviously interstate, international visitors and a lot of people
coming in into our backyard to see this spectacle.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Now, you know, in terms of the development of hockey,
and I know this is something you've been working really
hard on. But in terms of sort of young Territorians
being able to see hockey played at you know, they're
at Marra on the on you know, the area that
they usually play. How important is it, you know when
you look at at at you know, sort of seeing
(03:50):
the opportunity that you can that you can have in
the sport.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, we're really big as you know on aspiration and
opportunity and that's part of you know, the work we've
been doing to get into the Malaysian Hockey League, so
obviously announcement around that earlier in the week as well
our four year partnership with them. Novaperis said this at
the press conference yesterday. You can't be what you can't see,
and so to have the best in the world in
(04:16):
our backyard, showcasing what hockey can look like and making
it real for our kids is really powerful. And you know,
also we're hopeful that Jeremy Hayward gets selected. We sure,
we're sure he will. And then Leon Heyward, his brother
who's got a dual citizenship, who plays for the Black Fix.
They can juke it out in front of their family
and friends and we can see the next group of
(04:39):
emerging Australian stars on our backyard as well.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, it'll be fantastic. Hey, talk us through because you
and I have discussed previously the Malaysian Hockey League and
going down that path. So what happened earlier in.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The week, so we obviously had the one year invite
which is a starting point for us to go and
play in Malaysia February next starting February next year, and
we're in KL for a week working through the lotistics
of that, and what has now come from that is
that we have a four year partnership. There's some other
things around cross cultural awareness and education and things that
(05:15):
our players will do in Malaysia and vice versa when
Malaysia come here. We're still working through potential home games.
And the other thing that we've discussed, which is in
the agreement with SIGN, is that over this period of
this four years, will work together to put in place
of joint submission to get back into Hockey one. So
that obviously gives us stronger capacity and builds our relationship
(05:38):
with Malaysia and Southeast Asia, which is something that's important
to the Northern Territory. As a whole as well, So
we think, you know, going forward, how we build that
together is really going to consolidate our place in the
Oceanic and Southeast Asia region and make us stronger in
Australian hockey as well.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, good stuff. Look, I think it's I think it's
really good and I love the way that Territorian is
obviously embrace sport. But what I can see and I
am at Marara, is that certainly when you talk about
junior hockey, there seems to be a huge uptick and
there seems to be a lot of kids playing hockey.
It's a great sport. I think it's wonderful, you know,
no matter what sport Territorians choose, but it is really
(06:14):
good to see the large numbers that you guys seem
to have at the moment.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, this year has been a really strong year for us.
From under twelve so tens under eight, under six is
all those grades has twenty six percent growth. So we're
the second strongest state or territory in Australia from a
hockey perspective with our junior growth, which is a really
big tick for all the work done by our community,
and you know that's going to remain a focus, the
(06:40):
aspirational piece of the Stingers and all the other things
we're doing are related to providing better opportunities for our
future generations and an environment that they can belong to
and love being a part of, which is hopefully going
to enrich their whole lives.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
And look, I know that at the moment as well,
there's some work happening across the board into terms of
the future plans for Maurra as a whole, as a
big sporting venue. Have we got the infrastructure that we
need when it comes to hockey or do you think
that there needs to be a bit more put into
the infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, Look, we have the bare bones and we're involved
in conversations with government at all levels our facility. The
reality is our facility is forty years old and we're
going to need some government support for the Oceana Cups
to upgrade some things and then long term, obviously a
forty year facility, forty year old facility need some work
and we're probably behind in some of those areas, so
(07:33):
certainly from a hockey perspective, there's going to have to
be some support to an investment in getting that up
to speed in the long term.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Yeah, look, I know most people that listen to the show,
I would know that I'm a big supporter of investment
into sport, particularly when you look at it at that
grassroots level and what it can then mean in terms
of even bringing further further involvement in the sport and
bringing international players what we've spoken about this morning to
the Northern Territory. But I just think, you know, Marara
(08:04):
is a fantastic venue in the sense that everything's already there.
If we can invest, you know, a bit further in
all the different sports, and I know it's easier said
than done, that does cost a lot of money, But
then when you look at the different carnivals and the
different things that you know can have happening in the
Northern Territory, surely you know that investment is worthwhile.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah. Look, I'm biased, but I think sport is one
of the vehicles that can help with the social change
we're all looking for. The different conversations you've already had
this morning, give kids a sense of purpose, something to
belong to, a place where they have great mentors and
great things to be involved in. So I think sport
is and always has been one of the answers for
(08:44):
our society and our community, and certainly from a hockey perspective,
we haven't an extraordinary heritage and story which we'd probably
let slip as a collective in recent times and over
the last two years, we've been working hard to rebuild
the strength in hockey and the health of hockey, and
I guess to earn the right to have conversations to
get the increased support that we need. You know, we
(09:07):
need support for the Malaysian Hockey League, we need support
with our facility, and we're having conversations with that. So
what I would say to our corporate community and our
company is get on board because we're doing this for
our kids.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Hey, botch, before I let you go, big call earlier
in the week by Brooke Peris to retire from international hockey.
She has had an illustrious career, hasn't she.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yes, that's an amazing ambassador for territory sport Hockey Australia,
you know, our indigenous representation. She's an amazing person and
some you know, a career that we're extremely proud of
and grateful for. But yeah, she's she's done a lot.
Two hundred and forty odd caps, and she's obviously decided
that she's got other things to do with it in
(09:51):
her life, and we're looking forward to what that represents,
because I've got no doubt she's going to contribute to society,
society in a significant way going forward.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Yeah, good on her. Well Hockey and CEO Jason Butcher,
good to speak with you this morning. Thanks so much
for your time.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Thank you,
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