Remaining Australian Hockey Championships cancelled for 2021

COVID continues to impact the staging of national hockey events with Hockey Australia announcing the upcoming Australian Country Championships and Under 13 Carnival have been cancelled.

The Country Championships were scheduled to take place from 16-23 October in Cairns, but the current COVID restrictions, lockdowns and interstate border closures has meant it cannot go ahead.

After already being rescheduled once, the Australian Under 13 Carnival due to begin on 11 November in Tasmania has also been removed from this year’s national hockey calendar (image above is from the 2019 Australian Under 13 Carnival Captains Call).

It is the second year in row that COVID has forced the cancellation of the Country Championships and the Under 13 Carnival.

“Sadly, we have had to make the unfortunate but necessary decision to cancel the remainder of our national championship events for this year,” said HA GM Commercial, Communications and Events, Tim Cherry.

“Considering the extended lockdown and ongoing COVID case numbers in the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria, coupled with the border restrictions with other states, holding a safe and successful Country Championships and Under 13 Carnival is unachievable.”

“In collaboration with the State and Territory Member Associations, it was determined that this is the right and only course of action to take.”

“It is disappointing for everyone involved in these two events. The support from Destination NSW and Events Tasmania has been unwavering throughout this challenging period of ongoing uncertainty and we look forward to when we can again bring coaches, officials the best hockey players from various age groups and regions together to compete on the national stage.”

Only the Australian Under 15 and 18 Hockey Championships managed to go ahead this year.

The 2021 Australian Under 21 Championships are currently set to be held from 2-9 February 2022 in Sydney.