From Perth to Penang - global festival of hockey to showcase elite junior talent

WA hockey fans will be in for a treat this week, when international action returns to Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University and Aquinas Turf.

The Hockey WA Gryphon Cup will get underway Thursday November 24, and see under-16 teams from around the world battle in a round-robin across three days before combining for a brilliant finals series on Sunday.

Over the past decade, the competition has grown to include nations such as Malaysia and Singapore and seen participants engage with different game styles across the Asia and Pacific regions.

This year features a strong cohort of teams from various parts of the world.

24 sides will play across the three days of action, seven of which from outside Western Australia, including international and interstate.

The Penang Hornets are part of this year’s contingent, entering their fifth year of the tournament, making their first appearance in 2016.

Malaysian Olympian and head of Hornets hockey, Jiwa Mohan, says his side’s looking forward to being in Western Australia.

“After two years of breaks due to COVID-19, the players are very excited to come and play in the tournament again,” he says.

“It’s a great opportunity to enjoy hockey.”

Mohan says his team is looking forward to returning and experiencing the world-class facilities Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University has to offer, as well as the stunning grounds at Aquinas Turf.

“It’s a great learning curve for the young kids to explore, enjoy and learn hockey from different backgrounds,” he says.

“This is a rare opportunity and we always look forward to this competition.

“Every player is looking forward to experiencing the wonderful facilities, it will be an eye-opener for most of them.”

But it’s not just the hockey our international visitors are excited for.

Teams who attend will have the opportunity to embrace Australian culture - giving the emerging international stars a chance to see the best of the Perth metropolitan area.

“We have planned to see Fremantle, Perth City and Caversham Wildlife Park,” Mohan says.

“Most of the players are coming to Perth for the first time, so you can imagine their excitement to play hockey, see kangaroos and take it all in.”

Since being established, a number of WA’s best hockey players have participated in the much-anticipated competition over previous years.

A number even going on to represent their country on the world stage, and at various state junior tournaments.

All matches for the Hockey WA Gryphon Cup at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University will be open to the public and free to attend.

For those unable to make it to Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University or Aquinas Turf, matches on Sunday will be streamed via Streamer.com.au.

Hockey WA Gryphon Cup

24-27 November 2022

Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University & Aquinas Turf

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