Western Australian Institute of Sport supports proposal to retain the Hockey Australia High Performance Program in Perth
The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) strongly supports the Western Australian Government and Hockey WA’s proposal to retain the Hockey Australia High Performance Program in Perth.
Under the proposal the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos will continue to have access to the WAIS High Performance Service Centre, including recovery centre, environmental chamber, indoor running track, strength and conditioning facilities and clinical treatment rooms.
At any point in time more than 50 Western Australian athletes are successfully based in the eastern states at a sport’s national training centre. WAIS works collaboratively with the athletes and National Sporting Organisations to prepare them for relocation and to provide assistance so athletes can retain connection to family and their home community.
WAIS continues to share this knowledge and experience with Hockey Australia and other sporting organisations to ensure athlete wellbeing and mental health support are at the forefront of athlete care.
Both Hockey Australia and WAIS will continue to benefit from opportunities for their coaching, sport science and clinical staff to share and build knowledge, ongoing c and collaborate in other value adding initiatives to strengthen hockey for further international success.
Additionally, through the WAIS and UWA partnered WA High Performance Sport Research Centre, WAIS has a long history of producing evidence-based, innovative solutions to performance-driven questions which have assisted many sports, including Hockey. The centre has research collaborations with a range of academic and industry organisations, including Curtin University, where the Hockey Australia National Training Centre is based.
The national program has been based in Perth since 1984 and WA’s proposal was centred around Perth’s rich hockey history, and ability to meet the needs of Hockey Australia’s high-performance program with a focus on athlete wellbeing, based on its connection to the broader hockey community, strong domestic competition, proximity to Asia, lifestyle appeal, athlete support networks and world-class facilities.
As part of the $135 million plan, the McGowan Government has committed to redeveloping Perth Hockey Stadium to a contemporary “Home of Hockey” that is a world-class high-performance centre and an international competition venue which will include three hockey pitches, a specialist training facility and an indoor hockey centre.
Western Australian Institute of Sport Chief Executive Steve Lawrence said, “The WA Government and Hockey WA plans for the Hockey Australia National Training Centre are truly world class. They provide the sport the opportunity to reimagine how they deliver their national programs for future international success.
“WAIS looks forward to continuing its partnership with Hockey and the National Institute Network to assist Hockey remain one of Australia’s golden sports.”
Premier Mark McGowan said, “The WA hockey program was the first elite sporting program established outside Canberra – and has proven a remarkably successful in delivering Olympic and World Cup gold medals for Australia.
“Perth’s program has produced many of the world’s best – so it only makes sense that we keep the nation’s home of hockey right here in Western Australia.”
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said, “We’re excited to transform the current facilities at Curtin University to a brand new world class Australian Hockey Centre with the athlete at the centre of all decisions.
“WA is close to Asia, has the perfect climate, lifestyle and opportunities to deliver high quality outcomes for the athletes and the sport of hockey.
“We have the strongest hockey community in the country with the highest participation rate for the sport – it would be deeply disturbing to the hockey community, indeed the State, if Perth was to lose its only High Performance Program.”