Nation’s best set to shine in Hockey WA’s Women’s Premier League

A mix of Western Australia’s finest local talent, international athletes, and Hockeyroos are set to contend in WA's elite women’s hockey competition, the Premier League, commencing this week.

The season opener between Curtin University and Suburban Lions will kick off 2023’s instalment of one of the world’s strongest women’s domestic competitions, with the two sides set to clash at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University from 7.00pm on Friday 14 April.

Ten teams will fight for glory across the 20-round season, culminating in a finals series in September to decide who will lift the cup and claim the bragging rights this year.

The clubs involved in this year's Women’s Premier League include Curtin University, Hale, Suburban Lions, North Coast Raiders, Reds, University of Western Australia, Victoria Park, WASPs and Westside Wolves, with Whitford also returning to the top level after earning promotion in 2022.

“We are super excited to be back competing in the Women’s Premier League,” Whitford’s Elyssa Melville said.

“We can’t wait to have a crack at the tougher competition and be amongst some of Australia’s best hockey players.”

The opening weekend will also feature previous Grand Finalists, Wolves and Hale, going head-to-head, with an exciting and fierce fixture in store on Saturday 15 April at Hale's home turf.

Hale’s Miki Spano says her side is raring to go in season 2023.

“Last year was my first season in the Women’s Premier League, I actually moved to WA to play for Hale because the competition is so strong,” Spano said.

"We had a really strong season last year, winning our first women’s premiership, so I’m really looking forward to getting back and competing with such a strong group of girls.

“We would love to go back-to-back but we are just keen as a side to get out there and have some fun competing against the other great teams in the competition.”

Hockey WA CEO, Fabian Ross, has grand expectations of the women’s Premier League season this year and shared that hockey lovers can expect a fierce competition based on recent years’ instalments.

“I have high hopes for this season and expect some thrilling contests across the board in 2023,” Ross said.

“With a range of national athletes, Perth Thundersticks and WA under-age representatives, the Women’s Premier League always provides a compelling season and highlights the strength of hockey in Western Australia.

Shayley McGurk Davy, Hockey WA’s General Manager of Game and Community Development, highlighted the benefits this year’s season would bring to the progression of the country’s top hockey athletes.

“The Women’s Premier League competition has always provided a great pathway for highly talented junior athletes to transition into national and international teams,” McGurk Davy said.

“There is a great mix of up-and-coming youth and established athletes who get to play and train alongside each other, which really drives the development of our players here in WA.

Select Women’s Premier League matches will be broadcast live and free on Live Hockey.

View the full 2023 Women’s Premier League fixtures