New lighting upgrade complete at Albany hockey turf in readiness for national country championships in August

The Hockey Australia Country Challenge will be contested for the first time in three years, with more than 200 players set to be in Albany next month. COVID-19 forced the national country hockey championships’ cancellation in the past two years but the wait is over as the popular event returns on August 6. The Lower Great Southern Hockey Association will host the event from August 6-13, comprising 12 teams from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, WA and the Australian Defence Force. Six men’s and six women’s teams will do battle for the title of best country hockey team in Australia. A host of LGSHA players will be part of the WA Country teams, giving them the chance to play national-level hockey in front of family and friends. The hockey turf in the Centennial Park Sporting Precinct will be the venue for the event and a lighting upgrade has been completed in recent weeks. The lights above the turf pitch are 500 lux — a significant improvement on the previous level — and have been upgraded in time for the eight-day challenge. Funding for the lighting upgrade came from the City of Albany and the LGSHA, while the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and CBH Group have provided financial support for the Country Challenge. LGSHA president Ron Hodgson said the event promised to be a great spectacle. “It is really big for the association but also for the town,” he said. “Country hockey Australia-wide is a very high standard, with a lot of ex-State and national players. “Teams take this competition really seriously, and it will be of a high standard.” Albany has a TigerTurf hockey surface, regarded as one of the best pitches in WA. In March 2020 the $500,000 project for a new hockey turf was completed in preparation for the city hosting the national championships. City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the venue was ready to host such a big event. “We have been looking forward to hosting these championships for the past two years so we are very pleased to be able to finally welcome the teams to our beautiful city,” Mr Wellington said. “The City’s recent hockey turf upgrade is a fantastic addition to the sporting facilities within the Centennial Park Sporting Precinct. “This not only brings the Great Southern together but now can host events of national significance like the 2022 Hockey Australia Country Challenge.” The last national championships were held in Shepparton, Victoria in 2019, with Queensland successful in the women’s division and New South Wales victorious in the men’s decider. The Country Challenge is an open age tournament featuring the best players from regional associations in various States. Australian representative teams for men and women at under-21 and senior level are selected from this competition to participate in an international tour. Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles said there was a large participation in regional hockey across the country. “Many of these players have been deprived of playing the sport over the last two years, let alone having the opportunity to compete and represent their home States and associations on a national stage,” he said. “To be able to announce Albany as the host of this year’s event is fantastic for everyone involved. “They have a first class facility and I know they are relishing the opportunity to put on a great event and ensure all those who attend have an enjoyable and memorable experience. “We thank the City of Albany for their enthusiasm, proactiveness and patience in preparation for holding the Country Challenge.”