Construction officially began today on the Australian High Performance Centre of Excellence in Perth, Western Australia, following a sod-turning ceremony at Curtin University. The $163 million redevelopment, funded by the Western Australian Government, aims to establish a world-class facility for elite hockey athletes and bolster community participation in the sport.
The project will deliver four international-standard hockey pitches, a specialist high performance training facility, an indoor hockey centre and a main stadium capable of accommodating 10,000 spectators in event mode. Modern broadcast capabilities will also be incorporated into the design, according to a statement released by the WA Government.
Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles emphasized the significance of the investment, stating that the centre will be a source of national pride and strengthen the country’s high-performance system. “This redevelopment is going to be world class, delivering a facility for Hockey that we will all be proud of as well as strengthening the national high-performance system,” Pryles said. He also highlighted the broader benefits for the hockey community, noting that the facility will support school programs and local clubs.
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning, Rita Saffioti, attended the ceremony alongside Hockey Australia Vice President Sally Carbon and representatives from Hockey Western Australia. The project represents a $28 million increase to the initial $135 million investment, reflecting the growing scope and ambition of the project, and ensuring the facility meets the evolving demands of international competition.
The Australian Hockey Centre has long served as a crucial hub for Australia’s high-performance pathway, hosting national programs and elite competitions. The redevelopment is intended to solidify Western Australia’s position as a cornerstone of Australian hockey, supporting the development of athletes from emerging talent to international representation. The facility is slated to be the long-term home of Hockey Australia’s Centre of Excellence and High Performance Program for the next 18 years.
Construction is underway with improvements to the northern pitch already completed ahead of major works. The WA Government anticipates the completed facility will provide a shared space for elite athletes and grassroots players to train and compete.
