Adelaide to host Kookaburras and Hockeyroos series against India

Australia’s flagship national men’s and women’s hockey teams, the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, will play blockbuster test series against fellow hockey powerhouse India in Adelaide.

The world number one ranked Kookaburras will take on India in a 5-match series between 26 November and 4 December 2022 at MATE Stadium, the home of South Australia’s Hockey One League franchise, Adelaide Fire.

It will be the first international matches the Kookaburras will have played since they beat India for the Gold Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.

The Hockeyroos v India series is scheduled to take place in May 2023 (dates to be confirmed).

Both teams played a closely fought match in the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and quarter finals at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The series will be the first time the Kookaburras have played in Adelaide since a Test Series against Malaysia in July 2009.

The Hockeyroos’ last internationals in South Australia came in November 2017 in a Test Series against Japan.

Notably, highly decorated Kookaburras co-captain Eddie Ockenden will make his 400th international appearance – a remarkable milestone – in the series. The 35 year old is currently on 398 matches.

Ockenden and Hockeyroo Hattie Shand, who heralds from Naracoorte in regional South Australia, were in Adelaide for the announcement.

A senior national Indian hockey team has not played in Australia since the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“From the moment we raised the prospect of hosting these matches in Adelaide, the South Australian Government has shown enormous enthusiasm and eagerness to host, so we are delighted to bring these series to South Australia,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.

“Australia and India have developed a fierce rivalry on the hockey pitch in recent times. Coupled with there being a large and passionate Indian population in Adelaide, there is no doubt this series will be a hot ticket to get hold of and attract terrific crowds.”

“Add in Eddie Ockenden’s expected 400-game milestone and it gives these matches another level of interest and importance.”

“We hope all South Australian sports fans make the most of the opportunity to see the world’s best hockey team against a genuine contender on the international stage.”

For both men’s teams, the series will be invaluable hit outs in preparation for the 2023 Men’s World Cup being held in India in January.

“This is a great win for South Australia in terms of bringing world class sport to Adelaide and promoting SA around the world through the global livestreaming of 10 international hockey matches,” said Hon. Leon Bignell MP.

“This is the biggest hockey tournament we’ve had in South Australia this century, and as someone who watched the Champions Trophy in Adelaide in 1999, I know how excited sports fans will be to see two of the world’s best men’s and women’s hockey nations go head to head.

“I’d like to that Hockey Australia CEO, David Pryles and Hockey SA CEO, Geoff Riddle, for the professionalism they have shown in this process and we look forward to working with them to secure more hockey matches in the future.”

Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Sport, Minister for Women said: “This upcoming series will see some of the world’s best hockey players take to the pitch.
 
“This is a huge win for SA’s hockey community and our broader community, with this exclusive series set to provide plenty of opportunity for fans to check out the action.
 
“Events like this have the potential to inspire future generations of Hockeyroos and Kookaburras who will no doubt love watching their sporting heroes from the stands.”

Hockey South Australia CEO Geoff Riddle said the announcement is extremely exciting news for the South Australian hockey community.

“For decades we’ve been starved of quality international hockey in our state but now thanks to the State Government and Hockey Australia we get to see two of the best nations in the world competing in our own backyard,” said Riddle.

“I’m sure this will be a catalyst to a new era of hockey in South Australia.”

The Indian men’s team, currently ranked 5th in the world, is coached by Australian and former Kookaburra Graham Reid. They will arrive in Australia after playing back-to-back double-headers against Spain and New Zealand in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-2023 season at their home stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

“This is a great opportunity for both the Indian Men and Women’s Team as these matches will serve as an ideal preparation ground ahead of marquee events like the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023 and the Asian Games next year,” stated Hockey India newly elected President Dilip Tirkey.
 
“Playing against a world-class team like Australia will prove beneficial for both our Men and Women’s Hockey Teams. I wish them the very best, and thank Hockey Australia for organising these Test matches.”

Additionally, Hockey Australia will also launch its new inclusive coaching guide on International Day of People with Disability (3 December), which is Match Day 4 of the Men’s series.

All five matches will be broadcast LIVE on FOX Sports and livestreamed on LIVEHockey. The matches will also be streamed globally on Watch.Hockey.

Kookaburras v India Series
MATE Stadium, Adelaide

Match 1 – Saturday 26 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 2 – Sunday 27 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 3 –Wednesday 30 November (6.30pm local time, 7.00pm AEDT)
Match 4 – Saturday 3 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 5 – Sunday 4 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)

Ticketing details: Pre-register for tickets now through Ticketek

Hockeyroos v India Series
MATE Stadium, Adelaide
May 2023 (dates TBC)