2022 Under 18 Hockey Championships confirmed for Cairns
Published Thu 04 Nov 2021
The 2022 Australian Under 18 Hockey Championships will be held in Cairns from 6-14 April.
Hockey Australia, in conjunction with Tourism Events Queensland (TEQ) and Cairns Regional Council, confirmed the nation’s elite hockey event for Under 18 men and women will be played at the North Cairns Hockey Facility in Far North Queensland.
The event will be the first time Cairns has hosted a national hockey championships since 2015 when the Australian Women’s Masters was held there.
Cairns was scheduled to host the 2021 Country Championships and the 2020 Australian Women’s Masters, but both were cancelled due to COVID.
“To announce one of Hockey Australia’s flagship national championships for 2022 will be heading to Cairns is fantastic,” said Hockey Australia GM - Commercial, Communications and Events, Tim Cherry.
“Cairns has a strong hockey and sporting community, and after planned events in the region both this year and last year were curtailed because of COVID, it is terrific to have some assuredness around these championships.
“This would not have been possible without the wonderful support of TEQ and Cairns Regional Council, so we sincerely thank them for their commitment.”
“Cairns will put on an outstanding event and the players, coaches, officials, family and friends will be really excited about the prospect of heading to the region and enjoying everything it has to offer.”
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s home of sport was continuing to grow with more events moving north.
“The Under 18 Hockey Championships have previously been held in Launceston or Hobart, so we’re excited to welcome players to the warmer climate of Cairns for nine days of competition,” said Mr Hinchliffe.
“We know large sporting events like this support jobs for accommodation and transport providers, as well as restaurants and cafes.
“Having the championships in town is an added spectator bonus for the region’s many hockey fans.
“As Tourism Minister, I’m encouraging players and officials to make time in their schedule to explore the many unique visitor experiences on Cairns’ doorstep.
“From snorkeling on the amazing Great Barrier Reef to Indigenous culture and World Heritage listed rainforests, there is no shortage of tourism adventures in Queensland’s Far North.
“Good luck to competitors and enjoy your stay in Cairns.”
NSW State are the defending U18 Men’s Champions, while Queensland won the Women’s Gold Medal at the 2021 Championships which were held in Launceston in April.
The Australian U18 Hockey Championships feature Australia’s best under 18 hockey players and is a tournament that unearths many future Kookaburras and Hockeyroos stars.
