Hockey WA’s annual regional showcase returns in 2023 with the CBH Group Women’s Country Championships set to shine at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University and Fletcher Park from Friday 16 June
This year, 57 teams across seven divisions – from the Great Southern, to the Pilbara – will descend upon Perth to claim the bragging rights as this year’s regional champions.
The yearly event sees teams hit the Olympic-standard turf at Perth Hockey Stadium in a three-day festival of hockey, culminating in a finals day on Sunday – highlighting the cream of the crop in regional hockey in Western Australia
Each year, the community spirit within regional hockey is showcased as thousands of players, officials, coaches and spectators take part in the long-standing WA hockey tradition.
Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross says the competition proves to be one of the biggest events on the Hockey WA calendar year after year
“We are thrilled to have the CBH Group Country Championships return this week in the form of the women’s competition,” Ross said.
“The event always reaches unbelievable heights and highlights our proud hockey community in regional Western Australia, with top-level hockey, community spirit and comradery always on display,” Ross said
“Thank you to CBH Group for their continued support of the competition and their wonderful contribution to regional hockey across the state.”
CBH Group Chief Stakeholder Relations, Sustainability and Strategy Officer Brianna Peake said the co-operative is proud to support Hockey WA at all levels, ranging from grassroots to masters, through the CBH Country Championships.
“We recognise the importance of supporting opportunities for regional hockey players to come together and represent their district,” Ms Peake said.
“We’re looking forward to watching the high calibre of hockey at both weekends and wish the best of luck to all teams playing.”
Bunbury, Geraldton, Lower Great Southern and Upper Great Southern will compete for the ultimate title as Division One champions, with Bunbury set to defend their title after a thrilling 2-1 win over Lower Great Southern in last year’s Grand Final.
The CBH Group Men’s Country Championships will continue the action the following week, with the competition running from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June.
The 2023 CBH Group Country Championships action from PHS-1 will be streamed, live and free, on Streamer.
Catch all the action from Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University's field one - live and free - on Streamer!
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This weekend, regional players, teams, coaches and officials will hit Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University and Fletcher Park for the 2023 CBH Group Women’s Country Championships.
The CBH Group Country Championships will act as a selection tool for the 2023 WA State Country Women’s Team who will compete at this year’s Hockey Australia Country Challenge in Shepparton, Victoria from 5 to 12 August
This year’s WA State Country Women’s Team will be led by Head Coach Tenille Yandle, who will provide a wealth of experience from the Australia and WA Country programs. “I cannot wait to head away with the team and coach again in 2023,” Yandle said.
“I have loved every adventure in my time across the WA and Australian Country Programs
“My involvement with the WA Country Program has spanned over 10 years with some amazing highlights – hopefully this year’s team can come away with a medal placement for reward for effort.”
The state’s best regional talent will be on display at this year’s CBH Group Country Championships, with Yandle set to have a keen eye on the efforts of those putting their hand up to represent the state on the national stage.
“This weekend, we will be looking at a few different attributes in players,” Yandle said.
“Basic skills, decision-making, communication and fitness will be the key pillars and are really important for those putting their hand up for selection
“We want our players to be able to step up to the next level and take on the speed of the game needed to be competitive in Shepparton.”
Since 2018, Yandle has coached the WA State Country Women’s Team and has donned the kit as a player for both the Australian and WA Country Women’s Teams in years’ prior. Yandle was also the Assistant Coach for the Australian Under-21s Country Team, taking on the Head Coach role in 2022.
Yandle’s experience also extends to coaching the Greater Wheatbelt Men’s Team in 2019/20, the Roe Districts Women’s Country Championships Team in 2018/19, along with supporting the KK Vipers in a number of coaching roles since 2016.
Yandle also has coaching experience in metropolitan Perth, coaching the Modernians Hockey Club Women's Promotion 2 Team.
Teagan Ashworth (Avon) will be the Assistant Coach, with Jodie Pillati (Collie) to act as Team Manager.
