Stead Park upgrades to be delivered as promised despite Comm Games scrapping

Hockey leaders have reacted to the cancellation of the Victorian Commonwealth Games, following initial uncertainty around the timeline of scheduled upgrades.

Zoey Sykes was excited that the now scrapped Commonwealth Games were coming to Geelong.

A major upgrade of Stead Park’s hockey facilities will proceed as scheduled following the state government’s decision to scrap hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The Corio hub was set to become the state’s go-to hockey destination under major upgrades with two new synthetic pitches at an international standard for the 2026 Games, plus a training facility at Torquay.

Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles told the Geelong Advertiser the city was set to host more than 60 matches “easily” at the gamesat Stead Park.

“It’s disappointing for our athletes, I feel for our athletes today,” Pryles said. “The planning was fairly well down thetrack.”

He said it was rare for athletes involved in Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports to get the opportunity to represent thecountry in front of family and friends.

“I also feel for the next generation of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos,” he said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see.

“The more we showcase two of the more iconic sporting teams that we have in this country, the better it’s going to be.”

Politicians at the announcement of major upgrades to Stead Park for the now cancelled Commonwealth Games. Picture: Alan Barber

Pryles said works would continue as promised at Stead Park.

“There’s a very tired facility at Stead Park and it’s set to get a refresh,” he said.

A government spokesperson said the upgrade would be delivered by 2025, as initially planned.

“We will continue to work with project stakeholders to deliver a legacy hockey facility in Corio and will confirm project details at an appropriate time,” he said.

He said local clubs could have also used the Stead Park fixtures to raise important funds.

“When it was announced last year I thought it was a great move,” he said.

“Taking sport to regional Victoria was a masterstroke.

“As we all know, sport is the lifeblood of regional communities and it always will be.

“As a hockey person I do feel sorry for the community around Geelong.

“Geelong’s a proud sporting city.”

Originally published as Stead Park upgrades to be delivered as promised despite Comm Games scrapping