The storm ahead: Perth Thundersticks 2023 Hockey One season schedule revealed

The Perth Thundersticks men and women are gearing up for gold in 2023 with this year’s Hockey One schedule revealed 100 days out from the first match of the season. Click here to see the full schedule.

After a silver for the men and bronze for the women last season, the Perth Thundersticks will kick-start their journey to go one better this year in a blockbuster season opener against the Canberra Chill on Saturday 7 October at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University. 

Hockey Club Melbourne will make the trip west for the Perth Thundersticks second home fixture on Sunday 29 October. Both the men and women will look to replicate their 2022 efforts when the sides meet again after the men and women recorded 5-2 and 2-0 wins respectively in one of the strongest showings for the franchise last season. 

The Perth Thundersticks men will be after redemption in a final home fixture that will be penciled in on the calendars of the WA hockey faithful, with the men’s 2022 Grand Final re-match against the NSW Pride set to sizzle in a Sunday night thriller on 12 November. 

The 2022 season set attendance and broadcast figure records for Hockey One, with this year’s edition of the league, featuring Australia’s best hockey talent, set to be the most highly anticipated version yet. 

“With just 100 days to go until the opening round, the countdown is now well and truly on to what will be a highly anticipated season this year,” Hockey One League Executive Manager Sash Herceg said. 

“The Hockey One League was created to provide a stepping stone for Australia’s hockey talent. It is a crucial part of the national hockey pathway, with a huge opportunity for rising stars of the game to gain competitive experience among Australian hockey’s best. 

“This season the league will act as a major selection tool for the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras squads. Heading into an Olympic year, players will be looking to stake their claims for selection and put themselves in contention for the Paris Olympics. With so much to play for, this year promises to deliver world class hockey for fans across the country.” 

After a successful season for the Perth Thundersticks last year, Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross is keen to see the strong support from Western Australia continue in 2023. 

“It is super exciting to have the Perth Thundersticks season schedule locked in for 2023, with a number of blockbuster home fixtures to be held at Perth Hockey Stadium,” Ross said. 

“Last year, the support from the WA hockey membership towards our elite men and women was phenomenal and helped drive our teams to two sensational finals stints. 

“WA - your Perth Thundersticks need your support once again this year – I hope to see a packed Perth Hockey Stadium cheering on our men and women to glory.” 

As per the previous two seasons, this year’s Hockey One League will comprise seven rounds (a total of 42 matches) with every franchise playing each other once. The top four teams after seven rounds will progress to the finals main event. Each round includes fixtures on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons with broadcast details to be announced soon. 

The League features the same rules and regulations as standard field hockey with a few slight changes, as sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), to make the games faster and more entertaining:  

• Teams are restricted to 15 players in total including goal keepers. 

• When a field goal or penalty stroke awarded during field play is scored, the same athlete will have an automatic one-on-one shootout with the goalkeeper for the chance of an extra goal. 

• Every match that is tied at the end of full time will again be decided by a penalty shootout to ensure a result. 

Perth Thundersticks fans are urged to keep their eyes peeled across the Perth Thundersticks digital channels, with extended squad announcements to be revealed soon. 

Click here for the full 2023 Hockey One Schedule.