Hockey Australia Welcomes The Beginning of the Works to the High Performance Centre of Excellence

Hockey Australia has welcomed today’s sod-turning ceremony marking the commencement of works for the new high performance centre of excellence located at Curtin University.

The project will deliver the Australian High Performance Centre of Excellence, a facility set to become the world’s leading high performance hockey centre and one of the premier sporting environments for athletes anywhere in the country. Designed to set a new global benchmark in training, preparation and innovation, the Centre will provide athletes, coaches and performance staff with world-class infrastructure, integrated sports science and medicine services, and cutting-edge recovery and analysis capabilities.

This redevelopment represents a significant investment in the future of Australian hockey, reinforcing one of the nation’s most important performance hubs while also delivering lasting benefits for community participation and grassroots development across Western Australia. By strengthening the connection between elite pathways and local participation, the project ensures a fully aligned system that supports athletes from emerging talent through to international representation.

The Centre in Perth has long played a critical role in Australia’s high-performance pathway, hosting national programs, state-based development initiatives and elite competition. The upgraded facility will ensure Western Australia remains central to the sport’s continued growth, sustained success on the world stage, and the long-term ambition to provide Australia’s athletes with the very best high-performance environment available anywhere in the world.

Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said the project reinforces the alignment between national and state priorities.

“This redevelopment is going to be world class, delivering a facility for Hockey that we will all be proud of as well as strengthening the national high-performance system,” Pryles said.

“The Centre in Perth has produced and supported some of our country’s finest athletes. By investing in world-class facilities, we are creating an environment where the next generation of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos can thrive.”

“Importantly, this isn’t just a high-performance story. This redevelopment will support community hockey, school programs and local clubs, ensuring the entire ecosystem of the sport benefits.”

“We sincerely thank the Western Australian Government and Hockey Western Australia for their collaboration and commitment to delivering a facility that reflects the ambition and strength of hockey in this state.”

Western Australian Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, Hockey Australia Vice President Sally Carbon and representatives from Hockey Western Australia attended the official sod turn.

The redevelopment ensures the Australian Hockey Centre will continue to meet the evolving demands of international competition, athlete preparation and community engagement, positioning Western Australia as a cornerstone of Australia’s hockey future.