Looking for future champs Far Northern hockey gears up for the season while nurturing up and coming Kookaburras

l FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

ALL systems are go for the Cairns Hockey Association’s 2023 season, aiming to keep a solid hockey community in Cairns and the far north and raising the next hockey stars.

Being the furthest-north hockey facility, the association has become the birthplace of young hockey stars like Jayden Atkinson (Kookaburras pro-league) and Renee Barber (Under-21 women’s national team).

With over 90 years of experience, four clubs under its umbrella, and a central court for all competitive games, the association is one of the biggest clubs in the region, with nearly 1000 members.

The four clubs under Cairns Hockey Association are Brothers Fury, Saints, Souths Hockey and Trinity Stingers, with Saints being the biggest juniors club, followed by Brothers Fury, while Souths and the Stingers concentrate most of the senior players.

Cairns Hockey operations manager Rod Cousins said the passion for hockey in Cairns was a family business.

“Hockey in Cairns is very family-oriented and driven. It’s almost generational,” Mr Cousins said.

“If your grandparents played hockey, there’s a big chance you’ll play hockey too, and it’s good because it builds that bond in the group.”

A part of the association’s essence is its welcoming environment, where they put their resources toward building basic skills early on to raise future hockey stars.

“We hold development workshops almost every term,” Mr Cousins said.

“The workshops are aimed primarily at junior players new to the game or finding their way.

“Because it’s such a skillbased sport if you’re new to it, it’s the way to learn new skills. There’s a new one starting on April 24.

“We also have representative programs. We have academies for up-and-comers and potentials to go away and play state championships.

“And we have legitimate pathways for those looking to get into the Aspire to be Deadly and rep programs, as Jayden Atkinson did recently playing for the national men’s team with the Kookaburras. He’s the first Cairns born and raised, and he’s only 21.

“That’s an important part of what we do, providing that pathway so players can evolve if they want to.” The association has also focused on growing the sport in the region and attracting new players and potential professional athletes.

“It’s very important for us to run championships and events,”

Mr Cousins said.

“We’ve got two state championships this year, under-18 girls and under-13 boys, and we hosted a couple of national championships last year.

“It’s good for the region and the town because we attract visitors, inspire new players, and generate some revenue for the community.

“We’re the furthest north facility that has artificial turf, and if we get visitors from across

North Queensland looking for facilities to be able to play, we’re it.”

For more information and to join Cairns Hockey Association, visit www.cairnshockey.com.au