Facelift for hockey centre

THE Warrnambool home of Hockey South West received a makeover recently, ahead of the Hockey Australia national selection trials later this month.

By Staff Writer

A group of dedicated volunteers came together for a working bee to refresh the centre ahead of the selection trials over the weekend of April 22-23.

Members were kept busy painting the interior of the pavilion, which was opened in 1985, as well as painting external fences which have stood for almost 20 years.

Over 50 elite hockey players and officials will converge on the South West for two days to select the men’s and women’s teams to represent Australia in qualifying for the 2024 Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman.

This will be the first time a national selection event has been hosted in a regional location. Hockey South West is in line to host the Victorian Junior State Championships in 2024 and 2025.

It is also well positioned to host practice matches featuring international teams in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament in Geelong in March 2026.