Hockey season a Covid-19 casualty

DUE to the ongoing affects of Covid, the second edition of Hockey One League has been deferred to October next year.

The second season of Australia’s “reimagined” premier domestic men’s and women’s hockey competition was originally scheduled to start on October 1 this year.

Then it was announced in August that the season would start no earlier than October 29 due to the nation’s Covid situation.

However, with that milestone under a fortnight away and the uncertainty around interstate border restrictions likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future, the league and clubs have taken a pragmatic approach to the issue by pushing the season back 12 months.

“We remain determined and absolutely committed to safely deliver the second season of Sultana Bran Hockey One League as soon as practically possible,” league general manager Tony Dodemaide said.

“Having taken into account a host of considerations … we are optimistic of having freedom of travel and the ability to stage national sporting events across the entire country.

“This will also ensure the league has the best hockey talent competing, including the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos athletes who have important international commitments in 2022.

“The players, coaches and organisers can’t wait to bring this world-class hockey competition back to pitches across the country.

“All passionately agree that this competition is vital to the long-term strategy and success of Australian hockey.”

The Tassie Tigers selected their 2021 squads in August and both will now cease training to have a well-earned break, before the team selections are likely to be refreshed in the middle of the year.

The new scheduled timeline will ensure the availability of Tigers stars Eddie Ockenden, Josh Beltz, Jeremy Hayward and Jack Welch around their international commitments, which include the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and Oceania Cup next year.