Hockey Australia High Performance facility redevelopment opened

With the upgrade to the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras changerooms and high performance facilities at Perth Hockey Stadium now complete, they were officially opened at a ceremonial ‘ribbon cutting’ today.

Hockey Australia Board members including President Mel Woosnam joined The Hon. Steve Irons MP, players from the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras squads and other guests for the occasion to signal completion of the project.

The redevelopment came after Hockey Australia submitted a grant application as part of a focus by the Federal government on women in sport. The government committed a $600,000 investment to the proposal.

Hockey Australia then co-invested to make a range of broader improvements, including a refurbishment of the Kookaburras changeroom and an upgrade of the on-site strength and conditioning and rehabilitation area.

“This project would not have been possible without the support from the Federal Government, so we sincerely thank them and Minister Colbeck,” said HA President Mel Woosnam.

“The state of these rooms left a lot to be desired and through a request from our high performance team, we were successful in securing this grant to enable this work to happen.”
 
“We used this as an opportunity to undertake a broader refurbishment, which has been funded through our own resources, and I am pleased that we have been able to upgrade not only the women’s changeroom but also the men’s changeroom and refresh our rehabilitation, gym and player recovery areas.”

“We are appreciative of the work done by the project managers and team that has undertaken this refurbishment to have it ready in time for the FIH Pro League matches this weekend.”

“I would finally like to acknowledge the support from Hockey WA, both financially and through the efforts of President Michael Henderson, CEO Fabian Ross and other key staff.”

Hockeyroos midfielder Jane Claxton, who together with Kookaburras forward Trent Mitton took part in the official ribbon cutting, said it was exciting to see the finished product.

“To have the new changerooms and facilities done and be able to now see them firsthand is really exciting,” said Claxton.

“We know this would not have happened without Hockey Australia and the Federal government, so we thank them both for making this a true high performance environment that is like our second home.”

For Mitton, who has been part of the Kookaburras since 2010, the new facility will assist the Kookaburras to remain one of world hockey’s dominant forces.

“It is great to have the areas that we use every day upgraded to allow us to continue striving to be the world’s best hockey team,” said Mitton.

“Fair to say it is something that has been needed for a considerable time, so I know all of the players look forward to utilising the new facilities.”