Hockey WA Grand Final Day Preview

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GRAND FINAL DAY PROGRAM

As the 2024 Stiles Electrical Premier League season reaches its thrilling climax, anticipation is building for an action-packed Grand Final Day.

Hockey WA will host an exciting lineup of matches featuring the top teams battling for the ultimate glory at Perth Hockey Stadium on Saturday 14 September.

UWA and Westside Wolves are set to go head-to-head for the Stiles Electrical Premier Division 1 Women’s Grand Final, while Melville and UWA will do battle for the Stiles Electrical Premier Division 1 Men’s premiership during the highly anticipated 2024 Hockey WA Grand Final Day, presented by Brightside Live.

The day promises fierce competition, with all four teams having previously gone to extra time in their Semi Finals.

For the Westside Wolves, Saturday’s clash will provide a chance to avenge their Semi Final efforts and win their first premiership since 2019.

“It’s always an exciting day and I think all the girls are pumped to play on Saturday,” Westside Wolves captain Jemma Buckley said.

“We have a mix of youth and experience this year so a different team going out there but everyone’s excited.

“We know that [UWA] are a very skilful and strong team – they’ve been the team to beat all year, so we know we need to bring it to them this weekend, go out there and stick to our game plan.”

After suffering a heartbreaking shootout loss in the 2023 Grand Final, UWA have put in the hard yards to claim the minor premiership and make their second consecutive Grand Final appearance as they continue to chase their first premiership since 2016.

“It’s super exciting, there’s a lot of mixed emotions from last year and we’re ready to give it a good hot crack this season and hopefully get a better outcome,” UWA captain Jessica Butterworth said.

“Wolves are always a tough game, and they always bring it to us so it would be great to get on the board early and just hold the middle because they’ve got some really good long balls that can slice us open.”

Having redeemed their 2023 Preliminary Final disappointment on Sunday, UWA will be looking to win their first Men’s premiership since 2017.

“It feels really good [to make the grand final], I think the boys have been playing really well and building up to this point in the season so we’re really looking forward to Saturday,” UWA player Frank Main said.

“We had a good semi final against Melville, it was unfortunate to go down to them in the golden goal.

“We’ll be focussing on playing our brand of hockey which is fast attacking play and not going away from the principles we usually follow – have a crack and give it our all.”

UWA also faces the incredible prospect of sweeping the Stiles Electrical Premier League division in the club’s centenary year should both teams win their respective grand finals.

“Our president Chris Webster has been doing an amazing job at leading the centenary celebrations throughout the year,” Main said.

“It’s been a really strong buzz around the club.”

“All year there’s been lots of excitement and lots of celebrations and this would just be the icing on the cake so hopefully we can do it for the club,” Butterworth said.

For Melville, Saturday’s Grand Final will be the ultimate opportunity to make up for last year’s Grand Final loss and further assert themselves as a top team with three premierships in four consecutive Grand Final appearances.

“It’s always nice to play the big games at the end of the year, we’ve had a few goes at this over the years and on the back of last year’s result we’re really excited to have another crack this year,” Melville captain Tim Geers said.

“We’ve got a really mature group that have played a lot of hockey together and we’ve had a lot of consistency over the years which has been key in being able to string some success together.

“UWA are a really good team – they can score very quickly through multiple avenues particularly through penalty corners, so we want to try to give away as few corners as possible while also trying to earn as many as possible for us.”

Premier Division 2’s grand finals will see UWA take on WASPS for the Men’s Premiership, while YMCC will go head-to-head with Victoria Park in the Women’s grand final.

The Premier Division 3 grand finals will see Fremantle Cockburn face off against WASPS for the Women’s premiership, while Melville will take on Suburban Lions for the Men’s premiership.

Along with plenty of elite hockey action on the fields, there will be an abundance of free activities and fun vendors on offer throughout the day, including a scavenger hunt, competitions, a mini chef kitchen, and free fruit & vegetables up for grabs in Healthway’s Fuel to Go & Play Fun Zone from 1pm.

A wide variety of food options will be available to patrons throughout the day with several food vendors onsite, along with the Perth Hockey Stadium bar and café.

To celebrate a wonderful season of hockey, the Eastman Lounge will host an afterparty with a DJ so everyone can dance the night away.

WATCH THE STILES ELECTRICAL PREMIER LEAGUE AND DIVISION 2 GRAND FINALS ON STREAMERWATCH THE STILES ELECTRICAL PREMIER LEAGUE AND DIVISION 2 GRAND FINALS ON LIVE HOCKEY

2024 Stiles Electrical Premier League Grand Final Day, presented by Brightside Live

When: Saturday 14 September, games starting at 11.30am

Where: Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Cost: $5 at the door for adult entry, kids under 18 free entry. $5 entry starts from 11.00am.

*Please note, Perth Hockey Stadium is a cashless venue.

Fixtures - Seniors

11.30am – Premier Division 2 Women’s Grand Final @ Turf 1

YMCC Hockey Club vs Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club

11.30am – Premier Division 3 Women’s Grand Final @ Turf 2

Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club vs Wesley South Perth Hockey Club

1.15pm – Premier Division 2 Men’s Grand Final @ Turf 1

University of Western Australia Hockey Club vs Wesley South Perth Hockey Club

1.15pm – Premier Division 3 Men’s Grand Final @ Turf 2

Melville City Hockey Club vs Suburban Lions Hockey Club

3.00pm – Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s Grand Final @ Turf 1

University of Western Australia Hockey Club vs Westside Wolves Hockey Club

4.45pm – Stiles Electrical Premier League Men’s Grand Final @ Turf 1

Melville City Hockey Club vs University of Western Australia Hockey Club

Fixtures – Juniors

8.00am – J 9/10 Division 1 Girls Grand Final @ Turf 2

Reds Hockey Club v Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club

8.30am – J 7/8 Division 1 Girls Grand Final @ Turf 1

University of Western Australia Hockey Club v Hale Hockey Club

9.45am – J 9/10 Division 1 Boys Grand Final @ Turf 2

YMCC Hockey Club v University of Western Australia Hockey Club

10.00am – J 7/8 Division 1 Boys Grand Final @ Turf 1

YMCC Hockey Club vs University of Western Australia Hockey Club

Additional Information

Venue Opening Times: Venue open from 7.00am. No dogs allowed.

Bar Information: Open from 11am. External bars close from 7pm. Paper/Biocups will be used.

Alcohol Free Family Area: Fuel to Go & Play Fun Zone activations from 1pm, Chill-Out Zone – a place to relax

Food Options: A range of food vendors will be onsite alongside the Perth Hockey Stadium bar & café.

After Party: Located in Eastman Lounge with DJ.