Territory Stingers proud to hold mantle of sole NT sports team

A sense of responsibility and pride and an update on the future of Marrara’s turf fields were the talking points as the Stingers officially departed for Malaysia.

The Territory Stingers have left Darwin for Malaysia ahead of their fixtures. Picture: Darcy Jennings.

A sea of blue and black filled the Darwin Airport check-in area as the Territory Stingers loaded its luggage ahead of the team’s flight to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

After months of waiting the Stingers are within touching distance of its first match in the Malaysian Hockey League.

Ahead of departure, men’s captain and Palmerston Saint Adam Luck reiterated the importance and responsibility of being the NT’s sole professional sports team.

The veteran alluded to the significance of the venture with many eyeballs set to be focused on the teams.

“For players like myself who have represented the Territory for 20 years we are used to representing at this level, (but it still) means a great deal to us and is (a great) opportunity,” he said.

“It’s Territory wide but community wide as well so we do carry quite a lot of weight with what we represent.”

NT Sport Minister Jinson Charls with Territory Stingers players Adrian Lockley and Elizabeth Duguid.

Alongside the Stingers wishing them good luck, NT Sport Minister Jinson Charles said the moment was an exciting one for the NT.

“This is an exciting milestone for the Stingers and Hockey NT who are leading the way in finding innovative ways to develop and showcase the talent we have in the Territory,” Minister Charls said.

The Minister also revealed the current state of play regarding the inactive Field 2 at Marrara Hockey Centre.

The turf field was out of action for the majority of the 2024 season resulting in junior and senior games plus training being cancelled and rescheduled.

In July of last year, prior to the change in government, Hockey NT had secured a $721,000 sum to complete ‘urgent’ repairs of the field.

Minister Charls provided an updated time frame and schedule for the tet to be completed works.

“The second field at Marrara, the refurb is already underway and they are scheduled to start working in March/April,” he said.

“We are hoping that will be completed before the start of the season.”

Originally published as Territory Stingers proud to hold mantle of sole NT sports team