Curtin University Lands $163 Million Australian Hockey Centre, Cementing WA's Hockey Dominance
Perth has been officially confirmed as Australia's premier hockey destination following a monumental $163 million investment by the State Government to construct a world-class Australian Hockey Centre. This transformative project, situated at Curtin University in Bentley, will replace the existing Perth Hockey Stadium with an elite facility designed to serve both amateur and professional leagues.
A Hub for National and Community Hockey
The new centre will become the permanent home for Hockey Australia's Centre of Excellence and High-Performance program, hosting the national men's and women's teams, the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos. Additionally, it will accommodate local club teams and Premier League squads, creating a unified hub for the sport. Hockey WA chief executive officer Graham Reid emphasized Western Australia's leading role in hockey participation, noting over 23,000 players and 180 clubs statewide, with competitions spanning from under-fives to over-85s.
"We have been a leader in Australia in hockey for a long time," Reid stated, highlighting that hockey is one of only two national sport programs based in WA, alongside artistic swimming.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Expanded Capacity
The Australian Hockey Centre will feature a specialist high-performance training centre, an indoor hockey facility with two courts, and four outdoor pitches, including at least two meeting category one international standards. A new 1,000-seat stadium will be constructed, with the capacity to expand to 10,000 spectators during major events. The high-performance program is expected to attract athletes from across Australia, offering access to advanced sports lighting, quality change rooms, sport science services, and modern broadcasting capabilities.
Reid expressed optimism that this investment will boost grassroots participation and attract larger-scale events, such as the Masters Hockey World Cup in 2030 and the annual Pro League world championships. "The great thing about this stadium is that it has the State level, but it also has the community level," he explained, noting plans to base three community clubs at the site and expand programs like the Youth International Cup.
Government Support and Long-Term Vision
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti affirmed that this multi-million-dollar investment, delivered under the Cook Government's PlayOn WA initiative, will strengthen Perth's legacy as a hockey powerhouse for future generations. "For more than 40 years, Perth has been home to the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, and this investment ensures the next generation of WA athletes have access to facilities that match their ambition and talent," she said.
South Perth MP Geoff Baker added that the world-class facility will inject new energy into the area, attract major competitions, and provide more opportunities for local families and young players. The existing hockey turfs will remain operational during construction, with phase one set for completion by April 2028 and phase two by May 2029.
This project not only enhances Curtin University's partnership with Hockey WA but also positions Western Australia as a global leader in hockey development, from local clubs to international stages.
