Hockey Australia releases new strategic plan

Following the release of the ‘whole of sport’ Australian Hockey Strategy in February this year, Hockey Australia has revealed its strategic plan for 2023/24.

Aligning with the broader Strategy, the plan supports the body’s ambition to increase opportunities for everyone in Australia to enjoy the game of hockey ‘anywhere, anytime’.

It includes a commitment to strengthen the sport at all levels as well as introducing new measures to strengthen governance, integrity, and mitigate risk factors.

Built on promoting growth, heroes, sustainability and more use of digital, the 2023/24 Strategic Plan includes the following additions:

• A fifth High-Performance pillar, focused on supporting the national women’s and men’s teams, the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, and achieving success on the international stage, including at the Olympic Games.

• The development of enhanced Governance, Integrity, and Risk safeguards for hockey and all those involved in the game.

• A key focus on continuing to increase participation, inclusion and education in hockey for the game’s growth and future.

• 11 specific KPIs on how HA will measure success to ensure the whole of sport Australian hockey 2023/24 Strategic Plan is delivered effectively.

Advising that the plan shows the sport's ambition and proactive stance, Hockey Australia Vice President, Sandra Sully “Hockey Australia’s strategic approach demonstrates that we are an ambitious and proactive sport that knows where it is heading and what it needs to do to get there.

“The sport’s core values - leadership, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and community - are at the heart of our vision and strategy. As one of Australia’s most inclusive sports, we want to continue promoting these wonderful and unique attributes to further grow the game.

“As part of this, we are committed to strengthening the player pathway, from the grassroots to the elite levels. Hockey Australia’s plan therefore includes initiatives to support the Hockey One League and the high-performance programs.

“This will ensure the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, as two of Australia’s most successful and identifiable national sporting teams, have every opportunity to pursue excellence on the international stage.

In anticipation of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympics, the strategic plan also aims to reinforce player pathways from grassroots which will involve more support the Hockey One League and its high-performance programs.

Emphasising the importance of accountability in the plan with resource allocation and decision-making would be under the spotlight throughout the organisation, Hockey Australia Chief Executive,  David Pryles noted “we engaged with several stakeholders across two years to develop a strategy with the Member Associations that will enhance the growth and experience of hockey nationwide. But it’s important that as the national body, Hockey Australia remains accountable and continues to ensure the goals and actions outlined in the whole of sport strategy are delivered.”

“Everything we do as an organisation, all decisions, including where and how resources are allocated, are underpinned and guided by the strategic pillars within the whole of sport strategy.

“This provides us with a clear focus and therefore greater ability to achieve the goals and actions set out within the strategy to grow the game and give everyone involved in hockey the best possible experience.”

Click here to view the whole of sport Australian Hockey 2023/24 Strategic Plan and Hockey Australia’s corresponding 2023/24 Strategic Plan.