Hockey WA's best talent assembles to launch inaugural Ric Charlesworth Classic

                  Above: Legendary Australian sports icon Ric Charlesworth, pictured alongside key players from respective teams.

The cream of the crop from the Australian hockey community has gathered to launch what could well prove to be the most exciting new sports competition this year - the inaugural Ric Charlesworth Classic!

Named after the game’s most decorated player-coach, the Ric Charlesworth Classic sees four men’s teams and four women’s teams do battle across a week-long period, starting this Sunday, 25 October.

And the best news is entry into each round of the Ric Charlesworth Classic is FREE!

The new teams – The Suns, The Breakers, The Outbacks and The Highlanders – have been named to reflect the various regions that make up the state of Western Australia… and they’re coached by some of the game’s biggest names!

There's the sun-scorched earth across our state.

There's the magnificent coastline that runs far and wide.

There's the regional areas’ rich-blue horizons, pindan soil and white-night sky. 

And there's the lush-green rolling pastures. 
 

TEAM LISTS HERE

The likes of Tristram Woodhouse, Kobie McGurk and Olympic Gold Medalist and five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer will mentor the squads, which feature some of the country’s brightest talent… on their way to the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos.

Speaking on the opportunity, Highlanders Men's coach Tristram Woodhouse said, "It's great for all the coaches and players to be able to come together and mix and experience some competitive hockey at the same time."

"It was amazing to see how many people stayed back after the All Stars game to watch the draft and experience the moment, it seemed like that was the start of it and people began to get really enthusiastic about the whole thing which is a great sign," Woodhouse said.

Assistant coach of the Outbacks women's team and former Hockeyroo Ashleigh Nelson is excited by the whole prospect, stating, "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to see the best talent Western Australia has to offer coming together in the one place."

"We've had two training sessions now and there's a few juniors coming through so it's been great to be able to coach them and see the talent and ability they have. The best thing about this concept is that it provides players an opportunity to showcase their skills and push for selection in teams such as the Perth Thundersticks, so all players are certain to try their hardest and put on a show for the fans."

Don’t miss Round 1 of the Ric Charlesworth Classic - a quadruple header at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University - this Sunday from 1pm!

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