Tamworth Hockey Association believes moving the York Cup and Kim Small Shield back to October will deliver the best outcome for everyone involved.
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The THA announced on Sunday that the 2020 edition of it's popular under-11s carnival will be held on the October long weekend (2-5) rather than in July (16-19) as originally scheduled, and it has been since it's inception.
Now into it's 18th year, THA president Mark O'Connor said they thought it was important that they give their stakeholders the opportunity to prepare their teams the best they can.
"By going later in October it (also) means that we'll have the best possible facility, the best possible teams and it will be a really great way for people to use their school holidays to travel to Tamworth and region," he said.
The public health restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of all hockey activities, cast some doubt over whether the tournament would be able to be played in July.
Last month the THA said they were still intending to host the event as planned, but would be closely monitoring the situation.
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And while developments on Friday, with Hockey NSW announcing a tentative recommencement date, would possibly allow for the carnival to go ahead in July, they thought moving it was the best option.
"We'll get our best outcome by giving our attendee teams the ability to prepare that bit longer," O'Connor said.
By holding it on the October long weekend it also means that they can maximise the number of weekends that they have available for the local competition.
"It means that when we can start we can be running uninterrupted through until when the York Cup plays," he said.
They hadn't yet opened registrations but had received strong interest.
"Last year was our biggest ever and we were quiet confident that on the back of the facility expansion, which gives us a number of advantages in the event, that we were on track to exceed those numbers," O'Connor said.
