Matthew Hotchkis Announces Retirement

The Legacy of an Australian Indoor Hockey Icon

In the world of indoor hockey, few players have left as indelible a mark as Matthew Hotchkis #20. Spanning nearly two decades, his career has been defined by resilience, leadership and an unwavering dedication to the sport. As Australia’s most capped indoor player, Hotty's journey has been nothing short of legendary.

International Career

Hotchkis first donned the green and gold at the 2007 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Vienna, marking the beginning of his international journey. He returned to the World Cup stage in Poland in 2011 and Germany in 2015, once again showcasing his skills on the global platform. However, his final international appearance at the 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia cemented his status as a stalwart of the sport.

Captaincy and Record Breaking Achievements

By 2024, Hotchkis had earned the honour of captaining the Australian Men’s Indoor Hockey Team during the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers in Canberra. It was during this tournament that he reached a historic milestone, his 50th cap, highlighting his longevity and commitment to the game. With six additional games played in Croatia, he solidified his place in history as Australia’s most capped indoor player, finishing his career with 56 caps.

One of the crowning moments of his final tournament came with a stellar performance against Namibia winning 4-3, an emphatic conclusion to his international journey.

A Pillar of ACT Hockey

Beyond his international success, Hotchkis remained a cornerstone of the ACT Men’s Indoor Hockey Team for over 20 years. His perseverance was finally rewarded in 2024 when ACT clinched the National Championship title, a significant triumph in his State level career.

Retirement and Enduring Legacy

Following the 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia, Hotchkis retires this year from International indoor hockey at the age of 43. His leadership and technical expertise have earned him admiration from both team mates and coaches alike. Australian Indoor National Team Coach Brett Herrington praised Hotchkis for cultivating a winning culture and hinted at his future in coaching:

“Hotty leaves as a player with a legacy of a winning culture, a great leader with technical insight that I will welcome into the coaching world with me.” - Brett Herrington Australian Mens Indoor Hockey Head Coach

"Despite the challenges that tried to limit his career, he has never stopped. He faced adversity head-on, and rather than letting it define him, he rose above it. Not many people would push beyond what you’ve been through mate. The mental strength you’ve taught me is something I’ll always strive to achieve" - Jake Staines, Australian Indoor Hockey Team Captain 2025

Hotchkis departs the sport as a four time World Cup representative, a celebrated player, team mate and the gold seal of dedication and excellence.

Australia’s Indoor Hockey Teams Impress at 2025 World Cup

Strong Performances, Unforgettable Moments and Bright Futures!

The 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Poreč, Croatia, saw Australia’s National indoor hockey teams put in determined performances on the international stage. Both the Men and Women played with passion, showing their talent against some of the best teams in the World.

From last minute heroics to standout individual performances, the tournament highlighted the strength of Australian indoor hockey. While neither team secured a podium finish, they gained valuable experience, pushed top ranked opponents to the limit, created thrilling moments and made the Nation proud.

Here’s your recap of their journey at the Indoor Hockey World Cup, along with the key moments, final results and what’s next for Australian indoor hockey:

Men’s Team Performance – A Strong Showing on the Global Stage

The Australian Men finished sixth in the world, proving they can compete with the best. They showcased attacking firepower, resilience under pressure and an exciting style of play.

Fast Start: 7-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago set the tone for the tournament.
Tough Matches: The team suffered a 7-3 loss to Belgium, then responded with a 5-5 draw against Namibia in a high-scoring battle.
Hard-Fought Victory: Australia claimed a 4-3 win over Namibia in the classification rounds, with Thomas Miotto earning Player of the Match for his standout performance.

Biggest Moment – Austria Shootout Thriller

One of the most dramatic moments came against Austria. With just 90 seconds left, Australia equalized to send the game into a penalty shootout. The Aussies fought hard, but Austria held on to win the shootout in what was one of the most intense games of the tournament.

Final Match: The campaign wrapped up with a 6-2 loss to Poland, securing a sixth-place finish - a result that highlights the progress of Australian indoor hockey.

Key Team Stats

Total Goals Scored: 23
Total Goals Conceded: 25
Field Goals: 18
Penalty Corner Goals: 5
Penalty Stroke Goals: 0

Australia showed their attacking skills in open play, with 18 of their goals coming from field play. The team will look to improve their penalty corner conversion rate to become even more competitive at future tournaments.

Men’s Results

Australia 7 – Trinidad & Tobago 2
Australia 3 – Belgium 7
Australia 5 – Namibia 5
Australia 2 (2) – Austria 2 (3) (Quarter-Final Shootout Loss)
Australia 4 – Namibia 3
Australia 2 – Poland 6 (5th/6th Place Playoff)

Women’s Team Performance – A Step Forward for the Squad

The Australian women’s indoor hockey team finished tenth, playing with determination in a challenging tournament. They were involved in several close matches and showed great potential for the future.

Strong Start: 3-2 loss to Namibia demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams.
Fighting Spirit: In the 9th-12th place classification, they narrowly lost 3-2 to South Africa, proving they are closing the gap on higher-ranked nations.

Caitlin Burns – Player of the Match Against New Zealand

Caitlin Burns was one of Australia’s standout players, earning Player of the Match in a thrilling game against New Zealand. She also found the net against South Africa, showing her ability to deliver under pressure.
Jamie Zimmerman also scored in the South Africa match, keeping Australia competitive in a hard-fought contest.

Key Team Stats

Total Goals Scored: 9
Total Goals Conceded: 14
Field Goals: 7
Penalty Corner Goals: 2
Penalty Stroke Goals: 0

Women’s Results

Australia 2 – Namibia 3
Australia 0 – Germany 7
Australia 2 – New Zealand 0
Australia 3 – New Zealand 1 (9th/12th Classification Match)
Australia 2 – South Africa 3 (9th/10th Place Playoff)

Proud Aussie Moments!

Thomas Miotto (Men’s Team): Player of the Match against Namibia, playing a key role in attack.
Caitlin Burns (Women’s Team): Player of the Match against New Zealand, delivering an outstanding individual performance.
Jamie Zimmerman & Caitlin Burns: Both scored in the match against South Africa, proving to be important attacking threats.
Austria Shootout Thriller: Australia’s last-minute equalizer and penalty shootout against Austria was one of the most exciting moments of the World Cup!

The Future of Australian Indoor Hockey Looks Bright

Both teams represented Australia with passion and determination, showing they can challenge the best teams in the World. The Men’s team’s shootout battle with Austria and the Women’s team’s competitive performances were highlights that prove Australian indoor hockey is continuing to grow.

With talented players like Miotto, Burns and Zimmerman leading the way, the teams will take the experience gained in Croatia into future International competitions.

Australian indoor hockey is heading in the right direction. This tournament was another step forward and the next gen of players will be inspired by the performances in Poreč.

We are proud of our Aussie teams. Bring on the next challenge!

2024/25 Hockey Australia National Championships Wrap Up

(Opens, U21, U18, U16 & U14)

And just like that, the Hockey Australia National Championships have come to a close for another year!

By the numbers:

968 athletes, coaches, and support staff made their way to Canberra.
234 games were played over 20 action-packed days.
1184 goals hit the back of the net, averaging one every eight minutes.

But some things cannot be measured and they remind us why we play sport:

The cheers and unwavering support from spectators.
New friendships built on and off the field.
Challenges faced and overcome.
The emotions that only sport can bring.

As the legendary Arthur Ashe once said, “Pressure is a privilege.” We felt a bit of that, but it only made the tournament even more special.

To everyone - athletes, support staff, officials and the incredible teams at Hockey ACT and Hockey Australia, thank you. This has been an event to remember.

Here’s to the spirit of hockey and many more unforgettable moments in the years to come!

Andrew Bewick I Chairman I Hockey Australia Indoor Committee

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2025 Men's & Women's U16 Indoor Hockey Championships

15th to 19th January 2025

The 2025 Hockey Australia Under-16 Indoor Hockey Nationals have concluded after a week of thrilling competition at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra, ACT from 15th to 19th January 2025. The event showcased incredible talent and sportsmanship from players across Australia.

Medal Winners:

Girls' Championship:

Gold: New South Wales State (NSWS) - victorious in a nail-biting shootout against Queensland Maroons (QLDM), 2-0, after a 1-1 draw.
Silver: Queensland Maroons (QLDM)
Bronze: Victoria (VIC) - edged out the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in a shootout, 1-0, after a 0-0 match.

Boys' Championship:

Gold: New South Wales State (NSWS) - narrowly defeated Queensland Maroons (QLDM), 3-2, in a gripping final.
Silver: Queensland Maroons (QLDM)
Bronze: New South Wales Blue (NSWB) - triumphed over Queensland Gold (QLDG), 5-4.

Acknowledgments:

A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, managers & supporters for making this event a success. Your dedication and passion for indoor hockey are truly commendable.

To our tournament officials and directors, including Joanne Greensill (Tournament Director) and Jennie Thompson (Assistant Tournament Director), as well as the umpiring and technical teams, we deeply appreciate your expertise and tireless efforts. You ensured the smooth running of the championships and set the stage for high-quality hockey.

Special thanks to our volunteers and everyone involved behind the scenes who worked diligently to make this event memorable, including HockeyACT.

Sportsmanship and Feedback:

We are immensely proud of the great sportsmanship displayed by all teams. Your respect and camaraderie exemplify the values of hockey. We welcome any compliments and feedback to improve future tournaments. Please email us at admin@haic.org.au with your thoughts.

Next Event:

The Masters Championships are currently underway! We invite you to follow the action and continue supporting hockey across all age levels.

Thank you once again for an unforgettable week of hockey, we look forward to seeing you at the next event! 🏑

2025 Men's & Women's U14 Indoor Hockey Championships

11th to 14th January 2025

The 2025 U14 Indoor Hockey Nationals wrapped up on 14th January after an action packed four days at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra. The tournament brought together incredible young talent, delivering exciting matches and memorable moments for everyone involved.

Medal Winners

Girls’ Competition:

Gold: Victoria claimed the top spot in a hard-fought 2-1 victory against New South Wales State.
Silver: New South Wales State played their hearts out and earned second place.
Bronze: Queensland Flare secured a 2-1 win over Queensland Fire to take third.

Boys’ Competition:

Gold: Victoria triumphed in a thrilling 3-1 final against the Australian Capital Territory.
Silver: ACT impressed throughout the tournament, earning the runner-up position.
Bronze: New South Wales State narrowly defeated Queensland Shots 2-1 in a gripping bronze medal match.

Gratitude and Congratulations

A big thank you to all the players for giving it their all and making this event so enjoyable. Your skills and determination on the pitch were fantastic to watch. To the coaches and managers, your hard work and dedication were evident in your teams’ performances.

We also want to extend our appreciation to the families and supporters who cheered on the sidelines and helped create such a positive atmosphere. Your energy made a real difference.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Chris Donnelly (Tournament Director) and Jennifer Burns (Assistant Tournament Director). A huge thanks to all the umpires, technical officers, officials & HockeyACT who worked tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly.

Let’s Hear from You

We loved seeing the great sportsmanship on display throughout the tournament. If you have any compliments or feedback to help us improve future events, please send your thoughts to admin@haic.org.au we’d love to hear from you.

What’s Next?

As the U14s head home with well deserved memories, the action continues with the U16s. Be sure to keep an eye out for more exciting hockey to come.

Thank you for making the 2025 U14 Indoor Hockey Nationals a fantastic success. We can’t wait to see you back next year! 🏑

2025 Men's & Women's U18 Indoor Hockey Championships

6th to 10th January 2025

The 2025 U18 Indoor Hockey Championships concluded on January 10th at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra. Over five days of intense competition, Players showcased their skill, teamwork and determination. Fans were treated to a series of tightly contested matches, with several decided in dramatic shootouts.

Women’s Medal Matches

Bronze Medal: VIC defeated NSW Blues in a shootout after a 0–0 draw (2–1 SO).
Gold Medal: QLD Maroon secured the title with a 3–2 victory over NSW State.

Men’s Medal Matches

Bronze Medal: QLD Maroon prevailed against NSW State in a shootout after a 4–4 draw (2–1 SO).
Gold Medal: VIC clinched the championship with a hard-fought 2–1 win over ACT.

These results underline the dedication of the players, who demonstrated their preparation and resilience under pressure. The high-stakes matches and decisive shootouts made the week one to remember.

Final Women’s Standings

Queensland Maroon
New South Wales State
Victoria
New South Wales Blues
Australian Capital Territory
Western Australia
Queensland Gold
Tasmania

Final Men’s Standings

Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
Queensland Maroon
New South Wales State
Queensland Gold
Tasmania
New South Wales Blues
Western Australia

Celebrating Young Talent

The 2025 U18 Indoor Hockey Championships served as a platform to celebrate the future of Australian hockey. From the opening whistle to the final goal, players and teams displayed impressive levels of commitment, leaving spectators inspired.

Looking Ahead

With the U18 Championships now complete, the spotlight shifts to the U14 Indoor Hockey Championships, which kicks off on 11th January at the same venue. The action continues as younger athletes take to the court, aiming to leave their mark on the National stage.

Stay connected with Hockey Australia for updates, scores & stories from the U14 Championships. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hockeyaustraliaindoor for more insights into the action.

2025 Men's & Women's U21 Indoor Hockey Championships

19th to 22nd December 2024

The 2025 Hockey Australia U21 Indoor Championships, hosted by ACT, was a thrilling showcase of emerging talent & intense competition. The ACT Hockey Centre came alive as the nation’s best young players battled for supremacy & delivered a feast of indoor hockey action!

In the Men’s division, ACT claimed the gold medal with a hard fought 6-4 victory over QLD while NSW edged out WA 4-3 to take the bronze. VIC finished in fifth place. In the Women’s division, QLD triumphed with a narrow 1-0 win over VIC in the final. ACT secured third place with a spirited 3-1 victory over NSW & WA rounded out the standings in fifth place.

Championship Results

Men’s Division

Australian Capital Territory
Queensland
New South Wales
Western Australia
Victoria

Women’s Division

Queensland
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Western Australia

Players of the Match

Across four days of competition, these players delivered extraordinary performances that lifted their teams. Full match accolades can be found on our official Facebook page.

The tournament wasn’t just about the athletes! Behind the scenes, a group of top tier officials ensured the games were conducted with the highest standards of integrity & professionalism. Special thanks go to Tournament Director Brent Brown, Assistant Tournament Director Kim Monaghan and Technical Officer Janet Cowan for their exceptional leadership. Their efforts along with Umpire Manager Emily Carroll and Assistant Umpire Manager Stirling Sharpe were instrumental in making the championships a success.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches and teams who participated and demonstrated the future of Australian hockey. We look forward to seeing these young stars continue to shine in the years to come!

2025 Men's & Women's Open Indoor Hockey Championships

14th to 18th December 2024

The 2025 Men’s & Women’s Open Indoor Hockey Championships, hosted by HockeyACT, delivered five days of intense competition, thrilling matches & standout performances. The best of Australia’s indoor hockey talent was on full display, creating unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.

Championship Results

MEN

In a commanding final, ACT defeated VIC 4-1 to claim the gold medal, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament. TAS battled hard to secure bronze with a 4-3 victory over NSW State.

🥇GOLD - ACT

🥈SILVER - VIC

🥉BRONZE - TAS

WOMEN

The women’s final was a nail biter, with NSW State edging out QLD 1-0 in a hard-fought battle. ACT earned bronze, overcoming VIC 3-2 in a thrilling contest.

🥇GOLD - NSW State

🥈SILVER - QLD

🥉BRONZE - ACT

Tournament Highlights

UNMISSABLE MATCHES!

Men’s Final: ACT dominated VIC 4-1 to clinch gold.

Women’s Final: NSW State’s 1-0 victory over QLD was a masterclass in defence & precision.

Bronze Medal Matches: TAS triumphed over NSW State 4-3 (Men), while ACT narrowly defeated VIC 3-2 (Women).

Players of the Match

Across four days of competition, these players delivered extraordinary performances that lifted their teams. Full match accolades can be found on our official Facebook page.

Acknowledgements

The championships would not have been possible without the commitment of coaches, players, managers, officials & volunteers. A special thank you to Denise at Click InFocus for capturing the magic of the tournament with fab photography.

For a full list of officials, players, coaches, managers, top goal scorers & detailed stats, visit Hockey Australia Results

Stay Connected

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What’s Next?

The action continues as we head into the U21 Hockey Australia Indoor Hockey Championships, running 19th to 22nd December 2024. Stay updated with the latest results and highlights!

Support Australia’s Indoor Hockey Teams at the 2025 World Cup

The 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup is fast approaching. Australia’s Men's and Women's teams are ready to compete on the global stage. This February, our athletes will head to Croatia to represent Australia in one of the most intense and prestigious indoor hockey competitions in the world.

About the World Cup

The tournament brings together 24 elite teams in a six-a-side format. Over seven days of high-speed, high-quality matches, the best teams from Europe, Asia, Pan America, Africa and Oceania will battle for the title. Australia is proud to join this lineup, competing against world-class teams such as Germany, Austria and South Africa.

14/11/2024: Hockey Australia Unveils Bold New Initiative for Indoor Hockey: Introducing the Hockey Australia Indoor Committee (HAIC)!

In a move set to revolutionise the future of indoor hockey, Hockey Australia is proud to announce the launch of the Hockey Australia Indoor Committee (HAIC)—a game-changing initiative designed to drive the growth and elevate the standard of the sport across the nation.

The formation of HAIC marks a pivotal moment for indoor hockey, bringing together an expert team dedicated to steering the sport toward unprecedented success. From players and coaches to parents and supporters, this new committee is poised to create lasting change that will benefit everyone in the indoor hockey community.

The HAIC’s mission is clear: to ensure indoor hockey not only thrives but reaches new heights of excellence.

Here’s what the committee will be focusing on:

• Establishing robust leadership and operational strategies for indoor hockey in Australia.

• Championing the core values of Hockey Australia in every aspect of the sport.

• Delivering world-class indoor hockey events, including the Hockey Australia Indoor National Championships.

• Supporting our National indoor teams, focusing on player development and team management.

• Innovating new pathways to grow the sport in alignment with Hockey Australia's long-term strategic vision.

This powerful committee comprises a team of passionate and highly-skilled individuals who are committed to transforming indoor hockey. After an exhaustive selection process, we’re proud to introduce the HAIC leadership team:

HAIC Team:

• Andrew Bewick (Chairperson) – Steering the overall vision and strategy of indoor hockey

• Zoe Fulcher (Admin & Communications) – Ensuring seamless operations and communications

• Andrew Sutton (National Teams Rep) – Elevating national team performance and management

• Brianna Rennie (Events) – Driving world-class event planning, including the National Championships

• Mark Hewitt-Park (Community & Growth) – Expanding participation at every level

• Jack Lindsay (Pathway) – Cultivating future stars through player development pathways

• Jessica Nicholls (Development & Academy Programs) – Overseeing the logistics of player development

• Anastasia (Stacey) Cabot (Social Media & Marketing) – Amplifying the sport’s presence through innovative promotion

• Ryan Williams (Brand) – Crafting a strong and dynamic brand identity for indoor hockey

David Pryles, CEO of Hockey Australia, celebrated this landmark moment: “The creation of the HAIC represents a huge leap forward for indoor hockey in Australia. We’re committed to making indoor hockey more accessible, more exciting, and more inclusive for all. With such a talented and driven group at the helm, the future of indoor hockey is brighter than ever. This is an exciting new chapter, and we’re ready to take the sport to the next level.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who applied for roles, and congratulations to those selected. The impact of this committee is sure to be monumental, and we can’t wait to witness the incredible progress that lies ahead.”

Andrew Bewick, the newly appointed HAIC Chairperson, shared his enthusiasm for what’s to come: “We have a unique opportunity to set the foundation for the future of indoor hockey—starting with preparations for the upcoming World Cup. Our focus will be on strategic growth, talent development, and enhancing Australia’s reputation on the global stage. The journey begins now, and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Indoor hockey in Australia is entering an exciting era, and the momentum is only building. Stay tuned for updates, upcoming opportunities to get involved, and the incredible events planned to showcase the very best of our sport!

You can follow Hockey Australia Indoor on Facebook