Everything you need to know for the Hockey NT TPL Men’s and Women’s competition
Ahead of the 2025 Territory Premier League hockey season, we’ve taken a deep dive into all 12 teams. Here’s everything you need to know about your side.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The start of the 2025 Territory Premier League Men’s and Women’s hockey season returns this weekend and is shaping up to be a belter.
Following a cracking 2024 season that saw one of the greatest finals campaigns in recent memory and the Territory Stingers’ venture in the Malaysian Hockey League, the TPL is set for another great season.
We’ve taken a look into each of the club’s squads, detailing all you need to know for the season ahead.
Season 2025 Rundown
Commerce-Pints
WOMEN
Info: The reigning champions are out to defend their crown, but know this is easier said than done. A group that had a number of players off for Stingers duties, the women have been back in big numbers over the break. With Mark Drummer returning as coach the team is confident in its ability to secure the two-peat. And while boasting a similar squad to last year, the loss of Lisa Stevens, the side’s top goalscorer in 2024, is a big one.
Coach’s comments: “We started pre-season eight weeks ago with a few players finishing off other sports so we are looking good at this stage. Not a lot of change from last year but we have a few junior players we are looking at that can hopefully get a chance this. I am very excited to be back coaching after a few years off. During that time, it has been great to see the rise of a few young players such as Macenzie Dixon, Niesha Casimiro and Mara Stephenson. Hopefully they will improve more throughout the year. The team has been able to keep our strong leadership players so that will help to keep going from last year. It’s always hard to know how a season will shape up, but we have built a pretty strong culture at the club over the last 10 or so years and we are all excited for the year ahead.” – Mark Davis
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Commerce): East Darwin
MEN
Info: With new coach Pennie Talbot at the helm, the men have been training hard through the pre-season, with a load of fitness and structured training sessions challenging the group. After a limited number of player losses, the side is again looking inward, promoting junior emerging talents.
Coach’s comments:“I am really excited to be joining a committed group of players and really supportive club community. (We) have untapped potential to really impact how we present a competitive edge in the competition. This passion is the solid foundation which through the partnership I hope to build upon. That importantly provides a platform for the exceptional individual and team’s talent to showcase and impact their standing in the competition.” – Pennie Talbot
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Commerce): East Darwin
Nightcliff Tigers
WOMEN
Info: With a solid pre-season under their belts the Tigers are confident they can take the next step in 2025. The side experienced a bit of a reshuffle with 2024 assistant coach Steve Versteegh now the main man and player Sam Pangquee taking on the role of assistant coach, in addition to gaining the Lodge sisters (Emma and Maddie) from Banks, filling the holes of departing talent.
(Assistant) Coach’s comments: “We are very excited for the 2025 TPL season. We have a diverse squad this year. We’re looking forward to developing young talent as well as having some strong, experienced players among our team. We have our eye on the prize and are looking forward to showcasing our Tiger talent. The competition has been growing in level of intensity for the past few seasons and we are really focusing on executing our team goals first and the rest will follow.” – Sam Pangquee
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Tigers): Commerce-Pints
MEN
Info: The 2024 runners-up have regrouped and refocused for another title push.Aftera large portion of players were part of the Stingers’ Malaysian campaign, the side is as fit and in tune as ever; out for revenge. Nightcliff will also look to elevate a number of its juniors up the ranks this season following some breakout performances from the likes of Kazhim Keegan and Charlie Beath.
Coach’s comments: “The team is looking strong this season, with a great mix of returning players, junior talent and some exciting new additions. We’ve had a solid pre-season, and the squad is coming together well. Our focus this year is on finals contention and player development, and the early signs are promising. The group has been working hard, and we’re looking forward to seeing how we match up when the season kicks off.” – Kelly Skippings
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Tigers):Declined to provide a team
Palmerston Saints
WOMEN
Info: Off the back of a rebuilding season in 2024, the Saints are looking the real deal. Able to retain a large number of players and training since February, there is a positive vibe around the side. And with captain Jamie-Lee Tinning the new coach, the group is as confident as ever.
Coach’s comments: “We are looking to build on what was a strong season for the Saints women in 2024. We’ve got a strong squad all vying for those top 15 positions with a great mix of youth, skill and experience. We’ve had a few new players come into the team and that’s really helped to lift the squad to the next level.” – Jamie-Lee Tinning
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Saints): Commerce-Pints
MEN
Info: The Saints had a tough 2024 campaign that saw the side without a full-time head coach as well as routinely struggle for player numbers. Using the break as a reset, like the women, the side hit pre-season training and fitness hard, with good numbers at training. Also like the women, the men have a new head coach for 2025 in Palmerston Saints life member Leah Atkinson.
Coach’s comments: “All the boys have been working hard, starting pre-season training in February. Our leadership group of Adam Luck in goals, Mitchell Lockley upfront and Jason Lowe in defensive midfield have all been training hard and I will be relying on them to guide our younger group of players who will be stepping up during the season. With the condensed season this year we will have a few issues with player availability, so we have worked hard as a club on building more depth in the squad and growing our numbers across all grades. I am looking forward to my first TPL Men’s coaching role and I hope I can provide a fun and challenging environment for the players.” – Leah Atkinson
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Saints): East Darwin
Banks
WOMEN
Info: The Bulldogs lost a significant number of troops in the off-season but are adamant recruitment and returning players will be more than enough to fill the void. With Nunn returning as head coach and a number of juniors to be elevated, Banks are eager to demonstrate their competitiveness from the off.
Coach’s comments: “We’re looking to build on last year’s performance where we had a very young side and struggled for numbers at the start of the season. Our junior players have now had a year of experience and most have been training in the off season for state or representative teams so will be fit and ready to go. The return of experienced players, Eliza Pridham and Saraa Kahkonen will be huge for us and help put us in a position to challenge anyone in the competition. Banks have been lucky to secure the services of a new goalkeeper who has been killing it at training. We have a good balance of talented players that can play in multiple positions and will be looking to mix it up a bit this year with the aim of scoring more goals.” – Darren Nunn
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Banks):Nightcliff Tigers
MEN
Info: After a down 2024 campaign the 2023 runners-up are looking to re-find their form and return to winning ways. The team put a massive focus on strength and conditioning as an area of improvement after last year in which they suffered a fair number of injuries. Additionally the side has a new coaching duo, Aiden Parker and Billy Fahy, that will lead the side in player-coach roles.
Coach’s comments: “(We) are looking to build on the results from last year, with our Stingers leading us, we believe we have a nice blend of youth and maturity. Understanding that the season is long, we are concentrating on building our season to peak at the right time.” – Ken Timms
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Banks): East Darwin
East Darwin
WOMEN
Info: After suffering a bitter loss in last year’s grand final having gone undefeated through the regular season the women at Easts are out for redemption. Despite a couple of personnel losses the side has added a couple of players, one a former player and the other a junior who’s been promoted.
Coach’s comments: n/a
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not East’s): Commerce-Pints
MEN
Info: The 2024 champions have been focusing on fitness and togetherness during the break ahead of a title defence. The side has lost just two players in Jack Ramsay and Tim Lee. The Storm are arguably the side to beat in 2025 with the Farmilo and Hockman brothers as well as other key players remaining at the club.
Coach’s comments: “We are excited for the opening round. Although we’ve lost a couple of players to moves interstate, we have picked up a player from Newcastle (Mitchell Bisson). With a largely unchanged squad, which includes seven players who recently represented the Stingers in Malaysia, we are looking to build on last year’s success. East’s have never won back to back premierships, we are determined to do everything we can to change that this season.” – Craig White
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not East’s): Nightcliff Tigers
Waratah
WOMEN
Info: The Tahs are looking for a rebound season in 2025 with a couple of players set to use their experience from the Stingers’ Malaysian campaign. While losing a couple of members from last season, departing for university and other reasons, the club has recruited an interstater to fill the gap.
Coach’s comments: “With several new and returning players in the squad, I’m really pleased with the team’s progress over the last few weeks. As with the beginning of all seasons, we are rediscovering our skills and working on a style that best fits the current squad. I’m excited and believe that with consistent and purposeful work on our processes the team can produce some very competitive hockey.” – Josie Smith
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Waratah):Commerce-Pints
MEN
Info: With coach Ben Tilbrook staying on, the Waratah men have maintained a level of stability they haven’t experienced in quite some time. Additionally, with Stingers’ legend Robbie Duguid also returning, the side has confidence in its potential for 2025. The side is also set to promote junior players akin to last season, maintaining its focus on local development.
Coach’s comments: n/a
Player’s 2025 premiership prediction (if not Waratah):East Darwin
Regular Season Schedule
– Round 1: Sat 05 Apr, Sun 06 Apr
– Round 2: Sat 12 Apr, Sun 13 Apr
– Round 3: Sat 26 Apr, Sun 27 Apr
– Round 4: Sat 03 May, Sun 04 May
– Round 5: Sat 10 May, Sun 11 May
– Round 6: Fri 16 May, Sun 18 May
– Round 7: Sat 24 May, Sun 25 May
– Round 8: Sat 31 May, Sun 01 Jun
– Round 9: Sat 07 Jun, Sun 08 Jun
– Round 10: Sat 14 Jun, Sun 15 Jun
– Round 11: Sat 21 Jun, Sun 22 Jun
– Round 12: Sat 12 Jul, Sun 13 Jul
– Round 13: Sat 19 Jul, Sun 20 Jul
– Round 14: Sat 26 Jul, Sun 27 Jul
– Round 15: Sat 09 Aug, Sun 10 Aug
More Coverage
Originally published as Everything you need to know for the Hockey NT TPL Men’s and Women’s competition
Homeless men robbed in ‘callous’ attack
A young man beat a 67-year-old man with his own walking stick before driving off with one of the homeless man’s few possessions.
Croc shock: Palmerston man’s dog goes ‘toe-to-toe’ with snappy visitor
A snappy surprise has left an unsuspecting man and his dog bewildered, with the small croc captured well outside of its depth. See the photos.
Inmates still in watch-houses despite minister’s explicit claim
The police union has expressed frustration at police watch-houses still being used to hold dozens of long term prisoners, despite the Corrections Minister stating ‘final transfers’ out were complete.
Listed: Top performers from Round 1 of the DDCC 2025 T20 season
It was a belter first round of DDCC T20 action with some wild results. Catch up on the round that was and see who from your club stood tall here.
‘Stay out of people’s pantries’: NT roundtable challenges federal plan
The man chairing the roundtable says the federal government should ‘stay out of people’s fridges and pantries’ and listen to them instead. Find out why.
Holtze locked down after boy climbs on roof
An inmate at the Holtze Youth Detention Centre escaped onto the facility’s roof, triggering an immediate lock down.