Republic of Hockey joins Hockey Australia licensee program

Hockey Australia’s new licensee program has acquired its second retailer with the Republic of Hockey signing on to an entry level partnership.

The Republic of Hockey, through CULTOR PTY LTD, has agreed to a two-year term through to March 2025, enabling it to have a direct affiliation with Hockey Australia and the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras. CULTOR PTY LTD owns popular world hockey brands Gryphon and Voodoo.

“Hockey Australia welcomes the Republic of Hockey as our newest licensee,” said Hockey Australia CEO, David Pryles.

“Gryphon and Voodoo are brands synonymous with hockey in Australia and around the world, so we are delighted that CULTOR PTY LTD through the Republic of Hockey has identified this opportunity to further promote and build their presence in the hockey community.”

“The Hockey Australia licensee program provides companies with an avenue to align themselves with everything that is great about hockey including our iconic national teams, the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.

“As a sport, hockey in Australia has so much appeal – from being hugely family orientated, proudly gender equal, inclusive and having a history of success on the international stage.”

“We look forward to having an association with the Republic of Hockey over the next two years.”

Grant Mitton, CULTOR PTY LTD WA Business Development Manager and former Kookaburra, is excited and optimistic about the opportunities the licensing agreement presents.

"As a long-time supporter of hockey in Australia it is wonderful to become an official partner of Hockey Australia and continue to support the game we love through the Republic of Hockey retailer and our iconic Australian Hockey Brand GRYPHON,” said Mitton.

Benefits of becoming a licensee of Hockey Australia include an affiliation with the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, access to national athletes as brand ambassadors, brand awareness through Hockey Australia’s array of digital media properties, plus the capability of having a retail shop at all Hockey Australia hosted tournaments and events.

About the Republic of Hockey
The Republic of Hockey was established in 2021 with the vision to be the ultimate Hockey Emporium servicing the market with a great range of products with knowledgeable and courteous service.

About CULTOR PTY LTD
Established in 1984 as the company to develop GRYPHON into a global brand marketed and distributed throughout the hockey playing world. VOODOO was added to the stable in 2006 and the retailer REPUBLIC OF HOCKEY in 2021.

About GRYPHON
For GRYPHON the journey started in the late 1970’s with Peter Haselhurst, a young Australian hockey player, keen surfer and tertiary physics student was continually frustrated by his hockey sticks breaking. Peter decided to experiment with fibreglass and resin systems to repair hockey sticks finding not only that the repaired sticks lasted longer but also were much stiffer so they were better to play with. They had better feel when trapping, dribbling and far better ball speed for hitting and pushing. As the budding entrepreneur, Peter was making money by fixing sticks and on-selling re-engineered sticks to players in the local Perth league with a spray-painted stencilled ‘Gryphon’ as a signature for his work. In the early 1980’s Peter formally co-founded the company and brand GRYPHON with teammate Ric Charlesworth. With the sale of a car for working capital, a journey was undertaken to Pakistan to set in motion the business of having manufacturers make sticks the GRYPHON way. Since its origin GRYPHON has been influential in the progression of stick manufacturing. Fast-forward 40 years and the brand is still pushing the limits in a dynamic global market, proudly displaying its Australian heritage. GRYPHON develops gear to protect and enhance all players alike on and off the field.

About VOODOO
VOODOO was created in 1996. Born out of a desire to build products for players who wanted the ultimate sticks, but with a difference. The VOODOO style was important, but it had to be fun. Hockey is dynamic, and the VOODOO brand and products continue to evolve with it. The range of sticks, bags, gloves and apparel are designed, constructed and produced with authenticity and imagination.