Affordable hockey for Tassie kids

AURORA Energy’s multi-year sponsorship deal with Hockey Tasmania is already working to make hockey affordable and accessible for Tasmanian school kids.

The Northern Hockey Centre at St Leonards in Launceston saw over 50 kids from Tasmania’s north take part in a clinic aimed at helping them learn more about hockey and the value of sport.

The clinics are part of Aurora Energy’s sponsorship of Hockey Tasmania which is targeted at engaging and attracting new players to hockey through a Tasmanian hockey grassroots initiative that primarily supports youth involvement in the game.

Aurora Energy Chief Customer Officer, Will Barbour, said Aurora Energy appreciates the value of playing sport but also the financial challenges this can present, particularly with cost-of-living pressures.

“In a cost-of-living crisis, discretionary spends are often the first thing to go from family budgets. By making grass roots programs such as Hookin2Hockey free and providing the kits for clinics like today, we can ensure hockey is easy to join and affordable for the parents of children who play,” Mr Barbour said.

Further benefits of the Aurora Energy sponsorship include training for juniors, incentives to clubs to grow youth teams, training for goalies and coaching, and umpiring support.

Hockey Tasmania CEO Damian Smith said that hockey is played by thousands of Tasmanians across the state, with participation at all levels for both men’s and women’s, including juniors, seniors, and masters.

“By working with Aurora Energy on this important grassroots initiative, we can ensure hockey’s continuing success from juniors right up to our senior representatives.

“Right now, hockey in Tasmania is in a great place with our Tassie Tigers Women’s Team sitting second in the national HockeyOne League. But that success is built on strong foundations, and we are excited to be working with Aurora Energy to support junior hockey.

Mr Barbour said that sport plays a vital role in promoting health and well-being whilst building social connections throughout the Tasmanian community.

“As the only 100 per cent Tasmanian owned and operated energy retailer, we understand our community and the benefit that sport and connection can bring to Tasmanians.”

Aurora Energy and Hockey Tasmania has an extensive program coming up to ensure the grass roots support for hockey continues with programs such as Hookin2hockey being provided across all Tasmanian regions.

Find out more about Hockey Tasmania's Hookin2Hockey program here