Hockey Australia has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Seven Network, marking a new era for Australian hockey. Under this multi-year agreement, Channel 7 and 7plus will broadcast live and free coverage of the best of Australian hockey, including matches played by the renowned national teams, the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, as well as every match of the Hockey One League from 2023.

Fans across Australia will now have the opportunity to watch all internationally sanctioned matches featuring the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos on 7plus. The inaugural events to be showcased on the platform will be the highly anticipated Oceania Cup, where the Australian teams will face their New Zealand counterparts in a battle for qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Oceania Cup will be held from 10-13 August in Whangarei, New Zealand.

As the Hockey One League enters its third season, this year’s competition promises even more excitement. Starting in early October, the league features seven franchises with women’s and men’s teams competing in double header match days. The Hockey One League provides a platform to showcase Australia’s top hockey talent in a world-class domestic league. With Olympic squad selections on the line, the competition is set to deliver high stakes and fierce competition.

Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles expressed his enthusiasm for the game-changing broadcasting deal, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the sport. Pryles said, “This is an exciting and significant day for hockey in Australia. The agreement with the Seven Network will allow more people to see the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras live in action on the world stage in the lead up to the Olympics next year.”

Pryles added, “We’re also looking forward to bringing the Hockey One League to a larger audience and more Australian screens than ever before. Australians love their sport, and this is a great opportunity for them to support their local hockey team and witness some of the best the game has to offer across Australia, live and free.”

The partnership with the Seven Network aligns with Hockey Australia’s strategic plan to expand the sport’s reach and provide increased opportunities for all Australians to enjoy hockey. The Managing Director of Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “This new partnership with Hockey Australia will allow audiences to follow our home-grown stars from the grassroots of the game to the major championships.”

With 7plus serving as the Seven Network’s free streaming service, the coverage will be easily accessible to a wide audience. The platform boasts over 13.5 million active users and is available across various devices, including major Connected TVs, web, mobile (iOS & Android), and casting (Chromecast & Airplay). This partnership signifies a remarkable opportunity for fans to engage with the sport and cheer on their favorite teams and players.

The collaboration between Hockey Australia and the Seven Network promises an exciting future for Australian hockey, showcasing the nation’s talent on both the national and domestic stages. Fans can look forward to experiencing the thrill of live matches and supporting their local teams as the sport continues to captivate audiences across the country.

Read the full article here.

Photo Courtesy Hockey Australia

Courtesy Hockey Australia