Please note: this is an old article
It was published in August 2018, so the information may be out-of-date.
The 2019 Australia Country Hockey Championships, which will run from August 3-11, 2019 at Shepparton Sports City, have been secured in partnership with the Greater Shepparton City Council.
The event, which was first played as a men’s only competition in 1982, will bring together 12 teams across both genders, with approximately 250 participants plus supporters.
Goulburn Valley Hockey Association will also help facilitate the event in Shepparton, which previously hosted the Australian Country Hockey Championships in 1997 when it was a men’s only tournament.
Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier said: “We’re delighted to make this announcement following the conclusion of another successful Australian Country Hockey Championships in Berri.
“It’s remarkable how many of our national Hockeyroos and Kookaburras athletes originate from regional centres, showing that country hockey is the lifeblood of our game.
“The Championships will be eagerly contested as always with selection for Australian representative country teams up for grabs too, so this promises to be a great tournament.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said: “It is wonderful that Greater Shepparton is able to host yet another fabulous national event in our region.
Hockey Australia Country Convenor Michael Nelson said: “The Australian Country Hockey Championship is the premier representative event for elite country players at which the quality of regional hockey is on display in what is a very exciting and top level competition.
The Australian Country representative teams - men’s and women’s senior teams and Under-21 men’s and women’s teams - will be selected based on performances at the Australian Country Hockey Championships.
The Australian Country Under-21s will tour Fiji and the Australian Country Seniors will tour China and Hong Kong.