Oceania Cup launches in Darwin

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos are just days away from defending their Oceania Cup titles against rivals New Zealand in Darwin as international hockey returns to the Top End for the first time in eight years.

• Unique chance for fans in the NT to witness LIVE international hockey with the 13th edition of the Oceania Cup taking place in Darwin this week from 4-7 September. See all the info about the event here. 
• Fans can watch live and free on 7plus. Tickets are available from Ticketek - kids 12 and under get in free. The first 150 people through the gates will receive a free goodie bag thanks to Hockey Australia partners.
• The event doubles as one 2026 FIH World Cup qualifier event for the Hockeyroos and New Zealand Black Sticks women
• Darwin local, Kookaburras’ hero and co-captain Jeremy Hayward’s homecoming
• The event will feature three double header match days on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with the action starting at 6pm ACST each night
• International and Aussie Olympic stars in action in the NT, plus plenty of entertainment and grassroots events showcasing the hockey pathway in the Top End.

Some of Australia and New Zealand’s star hockey players gathered at East Point Reserve in Darwin this morning, formally launching the 13th edition of the Oceania Cup ahead of three action-packed double header match days from 4 – 7 September.

Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government, through the Northern Territory Major Events Company, the event will feature back-to-back Hockeyroos and Kookaburras Test matches on Thursday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th.

Showcasing hockey’s strong pathway in the NT, another Adina Community Clinic is being held as part of the event. The Clinics, held across Australia, are free to register for kids wanting to meet their hockey heroes and an introduction to Hookin2Hockey, Hockey Australia’s national participation program for 5 – 12-year-olds. A Hookin2Hockey Schools Teacher session and Hockey-Ed Coaching Course will also be held to further strengthen the sport’s presence in the Top End.

Australia is motivated to defend its Oceania Cup titles, after both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras beat the Black Sticks in Whangārei, New Zealand, in the last instalment of the event in 2023. The victories sealing both Australian teams’ qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Kookaburras’ New Zealand opponents will be seeking vengeance, as they come face-to-face for the first time since Australia downed New Zealand 5-0 in a group stage clash at the Paris Olympic Games last year.

And they’ll be up against a vocal crowd as Kookaburras co-captain Jeremy Hayward makes his return home to the Northern Territory to the delight of local fans.

“I’m really enjoying this, coming back home in front of my people, my hockey community. To play international hockey back on the very fields I started on is a full circle moment and I’m excited for what lies ahead this week,” Jeremy said.

“I get to inspire these kids here, show them the opportunity, the pathway to follow, so it’s going to be a sentimental one for me.

“We’ve got some new and exciting energy, some youth, which is keeping me on my toes. We’re going to be fast and furious against a tough Black Sticks side. Our sights are on the World Cup going forward. These sorts of games are good experiences ahead of that, so we can further develop our strengths, which is our speed and versatility.”

New Zealand Black Sticks men’s team have spent the last 10 days in Darwin getting acclimatised. Fresh off the back of a Nations Cup win, a competition that provides the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League- the chance to compete, Captain Sam Lane is excited for the matches.

“(The Nations Cup) gave us many different scenarios and matches where we came away with wins against some good quality opposition. Now we’re facing tier one countries and having more matches like this is what we need.

“Over the last few years, the games (against Australia) have been really tight and physical so we’re really looking forward to it,” Sam said.

For the Hockeyroos, it will be the first time the team has met the Black Sticks women since Australia ended New Zealand’s Paris Olympic hopes with a 3-2 win in a thrilling decider in 2023. Anticipating the rivalry, Hockeyroos’ Striker, Alice Arnott is expecting New Zealand to come out firing.

“They’re also trying to secure a World Cup spot, so the stakes are just as high for them. I’m expecting them to be competitive and the games to be really fast and exciting,” Alice said.

“We love these big moments. This is why we do it. We love to be out on the big stage in front of a home crowd and that’s what we get to do here so we’re going to bring it, for sure!”

New Zealand Black Sticks women’s Captain, and Hockey One Canberra Chill team convert, Olivia Shannon is also looking forward to the clash.

“It will be really good to get out there and enjoy that competition and that rivalry that we have with Australia,” Olivia said.

“As a (World Cup) qualification tournament there is high pressure stakes on the line as well. The girls have prepared really well leading into this, being here a week early as well and adapting to the heat, we’re all really up for it.”

The Kookaburras get the Oceania Cup underway this Thursday evening at 6.00pm ACST, before the Hockeyroos follow at 8.00pm ACST. See the full schedule below.

All Kookaburras and Hockeyroos matches can be watched live and free on 7Plus.

See the Hockeyroos 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

See the Kookaburras 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

For more information about the 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin, visit the Hockey Australia website here.

The 2025 Oceania Cup is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government, through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

Oceania Cup 2025 Match Schedule

MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin