Newcastle to welcome Australia’s best Under 21 hockey talent

Hockey Australia’s blue ribbon national championships event, the Australian Under 21 Championships, will be held at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre in New South Wales from 13-20 March 2024.

The national Under 21 Championships features players emerging as the next crop of Hockeyroos and Kookaburras stars.

Current Hockeyroos Grace Young and Tatum Stewart were both standouts at the 2022 U21 Championships, while this year’s Women’s Player of the Tournament, Alana Kavanagh made her Hockeyroos debut soon after.

Liam Henderson and Brodee Foster, who were U21 Men’s Player of the Tournament at the last two events, are both currently with the Burras at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia and in contention to be selected for the upcoming Junior Men’s World Cup.

Additionally, the Australian U21 Championships is also an opportunity for aspiring umpires and officials looking to continue their development up the national and international pathway.

“The national Under 21 Championships are one of the most highly anticipated events on the Australian hockey calendar,” said Hockey Australia Chief Events Officer Simon Butterly.

“This year’s event produced some exhilarating matches and finishes, so the sporting public in Newcastle and the surrounding region are in for a real treat next year.”

“We thank Destination NSW and the Newcastle International Hockey Centre for their support and dedication to host this event.”

“The Under 21 Championships are an integral piece of the high performance player pathway – from national Futures (U18) squads to the Junior (U21) squads, through to the National Development Squads and then the pinnacle of the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras programs.”

It is the second year in a row the event will be held New South Wales after the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre hosted this year’s championships.

The Newcastle International Hockey Centre recently hosted this year’s Australian Under 13 Hockey Carnival.

New South Wales State are the defending Women’s Champions, while Western Australia will be aiming for a three-peat in 2024 after winning the last two Men’s competitions.

The 2024 Hockey Australia U21 Championships are proudly supported by Destination NSW, the tourism and major events agency for the NSW Government.

Event details
2024 Hockey Australia Under 21 Championships
Newcastle International Hockey Centre
13-20 March 2024