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A Northern Territory hockey club has flown to Kuala Lumpur to take part in the Malaysian domestic season.
The Territory Stingers men and women flew out of Darwin yesterday (Monday) to compete in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) competition.
The Stingers are due to face the Singapore national team in a warm-up match on tomorrow (Wednesday) in Singapore then begin their MHL campaign against Mutiara-MSSPP-PSHA-PKS Uniten in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Under a deal between Hockey NT and the MHL, the Stingers will compete in the league for four years. The deal includes an exchange program for coaches, umpires, and players as well as coaching clinics.
Hockey NT chief executive officer Jason Butcher says: “These players represent the aspiration of the Territory and the importance of opportunity.
“We know this will be a tough experience, but their exposure to the National U21 competition level and the Brisbane Blaze at the Festival of Hockey over the last few years prepared them well.”
He says the deal is an opportunity for players to take the next step in their development.
“This is their time, and we look forward to them showing the world what Territory hockey is all about,” says Butcher.
“We are excited to see how they take on this adventure and represent the Northern Territory on the international stage.”
Territory Sports Minister Jinson Charls says the Stingers’ inclusion in the MHL will be of mutual benefit to the countries.
“Alongside exposure to high-level international competition, the team will represent the Territory’s rich heritage, multicultural diversity and Indigenous identity – both on and off the field,” he says.
The government has given the Stingers $150,000 to compete in the 2025 season.
“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”.
The Stingers will be based in Kuala Lumpur for the season, which runs from February 4-23.
