• Kookaburras and Hockeyroos to take on some of world’s best
• Fast-paced, modified version of traditional field hockey
• Supported by State Government, through Eventscorp

An exciting new international hockey tournament will be based in Perth and feature two of Australia’s most successful sporting teams, the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the International Super Series - Hockey 9s Perth 2012 - would build on the success of a similar tournament held in Perth to coincide with last year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

“The Hockey 9s series held as part of the CHOGM celebrations proved very popular with crowds and players, which led to Hockey Australia developing an annual tournament to be held in Perth during November,” Dr Hames said.

“Western Australia has had a historic affiliation with the sport.

“Perth has been home to the Australian Institute of Sport hockey unit since 1984 and WA is the birthplace of many Australian hockey legends, including Ric Charlesworth.”

The format will see both Australian teams take on two other teams each in a fast-paced, modified version of the game played over two 20 minute halves.

The Minister said England’s men’s team had signed up for the series with other countries to be named shortly.

“Not only will the event be an exciting addition to our diverse events calendar, the media exposure in the United Kingdom will be valuable given this is WA’s top tourism market,” he said.

“The State Government is proud to support the International Super Series - Hockey 9s Perth 2012 through Eventscorp, for the next two years.”

The series will be broadcast on the ABC and internationally.