The Tamworth Frogs men will be shooting for state championship glory on home turf next year.
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In a major coup, Tamworth will be centre stage as the state's best male hockey talent battle it out over the June long weekend, after being awarded the hosting rights for the opens championships.
Adding to what is shaping up to be a long weekend sporting bonanza in the city with the annual June Baseball Carnival and also the NSW Country Rugby Championships, it will be the first time Tamworth has staged what is the premier men's tournament in the state.
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"It will be great, and will be great to see some of that real top talent out here," Tamworth Hockey Association president Ross Briggs said.
The likes for former Kookaburras Kieran Govers and Simon Orchard suited up for their respective associations at this year's championships. Tamworth's own Kookaburra Matt Willis has also, when able to, donned the green of the Frogs.
"We'd had some good conversations with Hockey NSW earlier on in the year and following the way we handled the Regional Challenge, and other events like the [over 40s and 45s] Masters Championships and York Cup and Kim Small Shield," Briggs continued.
"Hockey NSW has been very impressed, particularly with how we run events, and with our facilities as well."
The third field was a key in sealing the deal.
"Anything from under-18s and above, essentially has to have three fields," he explained.
Hockey New England will also play host to the state's best next year, staging the under-18s girls championships in May (20-22).
State Championship Schedule:
Overs 50's & 70's Mens Masters - Bathurst (March 11-23)
Over 34's & 40's Mens Masters - Nepean (April 8-10)
Over 55s Mens Masters - Goulburn (May 6-8)
U18 Boys - Moorebank (May 13-15)
U18 Girls - Hockey New England (May 20-22)
U15 Girls - Parkes (May 27-29)
Over 45's & 65's Mens Masters - Moorebank (June 3-5)
Open Men - Tamworth (June 11-13)
Open Women - Newcastle (June 11-13)
U15 Boys - Grafton (June 17-19)
Over 60's Mens Masters - Port Macquarie (July 1-3)
U13 Girls - Bathurst (July 8-10)
U13 Boys - Central Coast (July 15-17)
Half State Women's Masters - NORTH - Manning Valley (July 29-31); SOUTH - Wagga Wagga (July 29-31)
