Cairns Hockey has been playing the game for 90 years. Over 118 teams from Under 10 to Masters – male and female during the winter season, 60 plus teams playing Indoor, Social and Walking Hockey. There is a balance of participation opportunities for everyone, talent pathway options as well as volunteer roles within the sport every time of the year.
To all our visitors, we welcome you to Cairns Hockey and the Great Barrier Reef Region, your gateway to discovering the magic of Australia’s true tropics. Here, you can play your chosen sport on our acclaimed, international standard, artificial playing surface and then just lose yourself in the magical, natural attractions that abound in our slice of heaven.
Take a day off to swim among the bright, colourful fish and coral in the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Escape to a secluded tropical island, walk through some of the oldest rainforests on the planet, or visit the great many natural wonders of the Tablelands. It’s the ultimate destination to enjoy this great sport and spectacular, natural beauty at its absolute best, or to find fun and adventure. It’s also the perfect place to relax, be pampered, and enjoy the laid back feel of the tropics. We enjoy a great level of competition, both serious and social, but welcome all like long lost mates.
Cairns Hockey is very proud of its long and strong history, being a part of community sport in the Cairns region and coordinating and competing in state, national and international events. We celebrate Cairns Hockey 90 years of age in 2017 and looking forward for 100 in 2027.
Cairns Hockey – Aim to be Australia’s Leading Hockey Region. It is about hockey and the development and delivery of the game in Far North Queensland and ultimately, it’s about our presence, our existence and our relevance in the greater community. The regional sporting landscape is changing and is becoming a recognised product to bring economic benefit to the region. Cairns Hockey is well placed to leverage this, and development programs based on sound business and social responsibility models.
To all our locals, players, parents, supporters and spectators alike, we welcome you back and promise you an exciting season. We urge you all to support your clubs in their endeavours to grow our sport and accept the challenges that lay ahead.
History
Cairns Hockey was established in 1927/28 nearly 92 years ago to administer hockey in the Cairns region. It has grown into a vibrant hockey association with four clubs – Brothers, Saints, Souths and Stingers – with strengthening relationships with Tableland teams, beginning to participate in the local competition. Its home is at the exciting Cairns North Sporting Precinct on Lake Street. Over 118 teams from Under 10 to Masters – male and female during the winter season, 60 plus teams playing Indoor. Social and Walking Hockey also enjoy the sport. There is a balance of participation opportunities, talent pathway options as well as volunteer roles within the sport.
Facilities
Cairns Regional Hockey Centre’s facilities include:
- 2 water based artificial pitches (with approved lighting) over seven hectares constructed to FIH specifications.
- Up to 6 well-conditioned support grass fields.
- Location: North Cairns, 2kms from the airport, 4kms from the CBD, 365 Lake Street, Cairns, 4870.
- New $2.7m Clubhouse and Member Amenities: AV facilities, warm-up areas, parking, spectator seating and viewing mounts, security fenced were completed in April 2019 with the support of the Australian Government.
- Queensland Government are funding additional upgrades which are expected to be ready in May 2020 to the old clubhouse area to support safe place, sun safety and increase enjoyment and participation.
- Cairns Regional Council provides support to our members and our growing national and international quality facilities.
Governance
Cairns Hockey is an incorporated association managed by a duly elected volunteer Board of Management. The Board consists of a President, Finance Director and 3 additional Board members, elected by its members at an AGM. The Board employs administrative, ground maintenance and coaching and development staff to drive and deliver the competitions and supporting programs. It appoints volunteer operating committees to assist and support the advancement of hockey programs, pathways and competitions.
Competition
Hockey supported school and community recruitment programs are delivered across the region with more than 3,000 participants annually. Cairns Hockey runs a full field winter competition and a modified summer competition. It also recognised an indoor competition. 1,600 plus people (males and females) participated in these competitions, from Under 11 through to Masters. The competition is also open to regional teams from the Atherton Tablelands, in both junior and senior competition grades.
Pathways
Over 350 players and officials represent Cairns and are involved in Talent Pathway Programs across regional, state and national championships annually. In addition, Cairns Hockey delivers programs targeting skill development through the Regional Academy. These programs provide additional opportunity to over 200 members and supporters.
Objectives
- High Level of Member Satisfaction.
- Sustained Growth within the Region.
- Strong Financial Performance.
- Expanding competition formats – competitive and social.
- Delivering Successful Pathways.
- Quality Facilities and Venues.
- Strong Social Responsibility Priorities.
CHA History Facts
Cairns Hockey is very proud of its long and strong history, being a part of community sport in the Cairns region and coordinating and competing in state, national and international events.
Cairns Hockey recognises that it will turn 90 years of age in 2017 and then 100 in 2027 and to recognise and celebrate this, Cairns Hockey is seeking volunteers to form a committee designed to CELEBRATE CAIRNS HOCKEY HISTORY and coordinate the best possible ways we can collect, capture and make available our long and proud history within the Cairns community. Check Cairns Hockey history in pictures since 1920. Some of this material was obtained through a grant from the Queensland Government provided to Cairns Hockey to celebrate Queensland 150 years.
Did you know?
The first game of hockey was played in Cairns in 1927, when a women’s team from Atherton journeyed to Cairns to play a high school team, The Atherton side was coached by Miss A Johns and the Cairns Team by Miss E O’Hara. Both coaches were from Brisbane Teachers Training College.
