Cairns ready to host 2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters

Hockey Australia (HA), with the support of the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council, is pleased to confirm the 2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships will take place in Cairns from 21 September to 1 October.

The popular national hockey event will comprise a record number of teams and participants in 2022.

Over 900 participants (players, coaches and support staff) plus hundreds of spectators will converge on Cairns for the tournament that returns after a two year absence due to COVID.

This year’s edition will feature 43 teams across six age categories (from 35+ up to 65+) competing in a total of 140 matches over 11 days, highlighting the popularity of the event and vast demographic it attracts.

“The annual Australian Masters Championships is always highly anticipated and even more so this year with it being the first time the event has been held since 2019,” said HA CEO David Pryles.

“The Masters hockey cohort across Australia is one of the most passionate, devoted and committed of our participation groups.”

“There is genuine excitement among the women’s masters fraternity about this year’s event being held in Cairns.

“The city has an excellent hockey facility and the national Under 18 Championships were held in Cairns earlier this year, emphasising the region’s appetite and capability to hold successful hockey events of this stature.”

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the Far North had a great reputation for hosting significant sporting events.

“Competitors and spectators visiting Cairns for the Australian Hockey’s Women’s Masters Championships will contribute millions of dollars to local businesses,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“From Cairns accommodation and transport providers to hotels, restaurants and tourism operators, the benefits of the Masters Championships will be felt across the visitor economy.

“Cairns has one of regional Queensland’s best hockey centres and together with the city’s world-famous hospitality, the Far North is a natural destination for the Women’s Masters Championships.

“When competitors and spectators visit Cairns for sporting events they’ll stay longer to explore the many iconic reef and rainforest tourism experiences Far North Queensland has to offer.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to attract more inspiring sporting events to Cairns as an early legacy of our green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”     

It is the first time the Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships has been held in Cairns in the history of the national event dating back to 1984.

“Cairns has a growing reputation for hosting sporting events and hosting the 2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships only adds to that status,” said Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Bob Manning.

“There is no denying that participation and interest in masters games is also growing – people love to play their chosen sport and age is no barrier to their enthusiasm.

“As well as having a competitive edge, masters games are particularly good at fostering a sense of camaraderie among all participants, whether they be on the same side or the opposition.

“Event such as these games also provide a welcome boost for our local traders and the opportunity for the city to showcase itself to a broader audience.”

The Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships also serves as selection of athletes to national representative teams who participate in events such as the Masters World Cup and international tours.

Every match of the 2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships will be streamed LIVE on LIVEHockey.

Event Details
2022 Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships
When: 21 September – 1 October 2022
Where: Cairns Regional Hockey Centre (Cairns, Queensland)
Broadcast: Livestreamed on LIVEHockey (tournament or daily subscription required)