‘Canberra-centric’ hockey body snubs Brisbane over elite centre

Hockey Australia has snubbed Brisbane as the next home for its high-performance centre, sparking criticism it has lost a significant legacy opportunity to be based in an Olympic city.

Hockey Australia has snubbed Brisbane as the next home for its high-performance centre, sparking criticism it has lost a significant legacy opportunity to be based in an Olympic city.

Canberra, Melbourne and Perth were shortlisted for the right to be the next national base for Hockey Australia’s elite-performance centre after Perth’s contract runs out in 2024.

It has been home to the elite centre since 1984.

But despite Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics, Queensland was overlooked, a move described by hockey bosses as “extremely disappointing’’.

Hockey Queensland said it would seek feedback from Hockey Australia on why it did not make the shortlist.

Hockyeroos players celebrate during the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP

“Initial feedback indicates the expression of interest timelines inhibited our ability to meet Hockey Australia’s expectations,’’ it said.

“Our bid was centred on delivering a legacy from the 2032 Olympic Games. We are extremely disappointed.’’

It’s understood Hockey Australia short-listed the ACT for the headquarters of hockey on the basis of Australian Sports Commission backing and property opportunities.

A Hockey Queensland insider said Queensland had lost an opportunity for a hockey legacy. 

“The whole thing was a farce,’’ the insider said.

“They’re so Canberra-centric. My tip is Canberra will get it because that’s how the Sports Commission rolls.’’

The Kookaburras’ Jeremy Hayward in action in New Zealand last year. Picture: Simon Watts/www.bwmedia.co.nz

Hockey Australia has said it is “taking every step to ensure the selection process is impartial”.

A number of high-profile sporting bodies are weighing up whether to move to South East Queensland in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics.

Cycling Australia and Swimming Australia are understood to be preparing business cases to move to Queensland.

The Australian Institute of Sport has long been considered out of touch by basing itself in Canberra, a climate not conducive to elite sportspeople.

There has also been speculation that the Australian Olympic Committee will base itself in Brisbane, but it has dismissed those reports.

Instead, it will redirect staff to Brisbane in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was “disappointing that Brisbane has been overlooked as the new home for Hockey’s Centre of Excellence”.

“Local hockey supporters deserve to know why Queensland’s bid wasn’t even worth shortlisting but Canberra’s bid was,” he said.

Gold Coast City Council has a specific policy aimed at bringing elite athletes to the city as their home base before 2032.

Mayor Tom Tate said it made sense for sporting organisations and athletes in southern states to train in warmer weather.

“It’s a no-brainer,’’ he said.

“We’re expecting at least a dozen countries to set up camp here before the Olympics. If you look at the Commonwealth Games medal tally, if the Gold Coast was a country, we’d have come sixth.’’

Originally published as ‘Canberra-centric’ hockey body snubs Brisbane over elite centre