“The Premier League always provides heated contests, and it is really fun to stand up to the challenge,” Hall said.
“As a squad, a three-peat is the ultimate goal this year – we are an ageing squad, but we want to show that we are not done just yet and are hungry for more. ”
This year ’ s competition remains unchanged with twelve teams forming the line-up for the 2023 season: Melville, Fremantle Cockburn, Hale, Curtin University, UWA, WASPs, Victoria Park, Whitford, Westside Wolves, Old Guildfordians Mundaring, Reds and YMCC.
Former Kookaburra and Reds star, Aaron Kleinschmidt, is excited for the upcoming season, with his side looking to go one better after a narrow Grand Final defeat in 2022.
“I think there has been a bit of a shift in some of the teams and the ladder will potentially change from what it has been for the past couple of years, ” Kleinschmidt said.
“We have a bit of a different squad this year and I am really excited to see how it plays out.”
The Kookaburras athletes will also shine alongside local WA hockey stars, next-generation Australian talent, as well as WA’s own under-age State Team representatives.
YMCC Hockey Club is a prime example of WA’s next generation of hockey stars competing in the Premier League, with four under-age State Team representatives hoping to drive the side towards the top end of the ladder.
“We have some great under-21s players coming through. We have four amazing players who all aspire to play for Australia,” Star YMCC defender, Marshall Roberts said.
“It’s a really exciting time for our club, and with guys like that, we really can’t wait to see them get to that next level and make a big impact in the League.”
Hockey WA CEO, Fabian Ross, expressed his optimism for the Premier League season and the opportunities it will bring for both club and player development in Western Australia
“Our Premier League is lucky to boast some of Australia’s leading athletes as the Australian National High-Performance program is based at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University,” Ross said
“The ability to give our up-and-coming hockey stars an opportunity to play alongside professional athletes in the Premier League competition is fantastic for WA hockey, as it gives players the chance to gain more skills and experience in a high-performance environment ”
2
FRIDAY 31 MARCH - 7.00PM HALE TURF
COACH:GeoffCOCK
MEN'S
2 POTTER Trent
3 GEERS Tim
4 DAY James
7 RANFORD Ashley
8 HYDER Ryan
COACH:CraigWILSON
FRIDAY 31 MARCH - 7.00PM
WARWICK HOCKEY CENTRE
COACH:PhilMARSHALL
MEN'S
2
COACH:GraemeBEGBIE
SATURDAY 1 APRIL - 3.30PM
PERTH HOCKEY STADIUM AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY
COACH:MarcPIKE
MEN'S
1 TAYLOR Jakob
2 EDGE Tyson
5 LOCKLEY Adrian
6 WRIGHT Ben
8 ANDERSSON David
10 WINNING James
14 KLEINSCHMIDT Aaron (C)
17 ZALEWSKI Aran
18 BUESNEL Cameron
21 MAYNE Campbell 24 BOTHA Nathan
31 WALKER Hayden (GK)
32 WILTSHERE Huw
33 FISHER Daniel
COACH:IanSMYTH
COACH:TimDEAVIN
MEN'S
COACH:SamPIKE
0
SUNDAY 2 APRIL - 3.00PM
PERTH HOCKEY STADIUM AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY
COACH:TrentMITTON
MEN'S
1 GREEN Coby
5 EVANS Cain
7 MAIN Frank
8 BAUSOR Chris
12 TIMMS Daniel (C)
17 EVANS Jacob
18 STARKIE Christian (GK)
27 OGILVIE Flynn
COACH:PaulGAUDOIN
- 3:30PM
SUNDAY 2 APRIL - 5.00PM
4
5 MURRAY Alistair
7 CHARLESWORTH Oscar
8 BENETTI Simon (C)
10 HARVIE Tom
MEN'S
3 WOODWARD Liam
4 BANYARD Harrison
5 WHEATLAND Shaun
7 CHANDRARATNA Sebastian
9 MARAIS Craig
10 ATKINSON Jayden
11 NAUGHTIN James (C)
12 MORRISON Zac
13 HENNING Justin
14 PAYNTER Pierce
15 CIRIELLO Chris
19 SUMNER Jacob
23 HISKINS Brodie
25 PEIPI Cody (GK)
27 RICHARDS Joel
31 MILLS Hayden
COACH:EdwardWELCH
COACH:ChrisCIRIELLO
