Tamworth will play host to some of the brightest young hockey talents in the state in the new year.
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The Regional Challenge is heading to the city in February, bringing around 3000 visitors between players, spectators, volunteer coaches and developing officials and injecting a conservative estimate of $2 million into the local economy.
It will be the first time Tamworth has hosted the three-day carnival, which serves as the conclusion of the Centre of Development program and also a precursor to the start of the new season, and the first major event held at the complex since the completion of the $9.6 million upgrade.to the complex.
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Welcoming the news, THA president Mark O'Connor said it will really put the spotlight on Tamworth, and it's new world-class facilities.
"It's a really exiting announcement because it means that all the hard work we put into extending the facility to cater for these events is coming to bear fruit," he said.
The largest event on Hockey NSW's calendar, O'Connor said the THA hadn't previously nominated to host the event "because we didn't have the requisite infrastructure".
"This is exactly why, with the support of the NSW government and the Tamworth Regional Council, we upgraded the facility - to allow us to host these events," he said.
The carnival will run from February 26-28 and mark the start of a "pretty full-on" 2021.
As well as the various local competitions, Tamworth will also in late April host the state over-40s/45s men's masters championships they missed out on holding this year after they were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They will also be looking to host the annual York Cup and Kim Small Shield after being forced to cancel the 2020 edition because of the pandemic.
Hockey NSW CEO David Thompson is looking forward to bringing the challenge to Tamworth in 2021.
"The Regional Challenge is a highlight on the Hockey NSW calendar and a very popular event for both junior athletes and their parents," he said.
"We've taken the Regional Challenge to many great locations previously, but I'm thrilled that we will be heading to Tamworth for the first-time next February."
He thanked the support of the Powerhouse Rydges Tamworth, who have come on board as the event's accommodation and volunteer officials partner, as well as McDonald's, who are continuing their support as the umpire partner, the Tamworth hockey community and THA, and the Tamworth Regional Council.
"With over 1200 members, Tamworth is one of our largest and most passionate regional hockey centres," Thompson said.
"The continued support and investment in hockey from Tamworth Regional Council has allowed hundreds of athletes to go on and represent their state and Australia at the highest representative levels."
