Festival of Hockey: Darwin Emerging as a Touring Destination

The Festival of Hockey is no longer just a showcase for the Territory Stingers. It is building into a destination event that brings interstate and international teams to Darwin, creating experiences that inspire and raise aspiration.

This year, Collie Hockey Club travelled north with a large touring group of players, coaches, and families. Over eight days they combined training and match play against our NT U14 State Teams with a uniquely Territory experience that stretched far beyond the turf.

Indonesian Series Sparks Aspiration

The headline draw card was the Stingers’ international series against Indonesia. The event atmosphere was electric, and Collie’s players and families were in the stands soaking it up. Watching Territory athletes take on international opposition gave Collie’s juniors a live benchmark of the standard they can aspire to, while also showing our own players that they are part of something bigger.

Preparing the Next Generation

Collie’s boys and girls squads played multiple fixtures against the NT U14s. These games sharpened our juniors ahead of nationals and gave both groups meaningful competition. Coaching clinics with Michelle Caden and Jason Butcher added another layer of development, strengthening relationships between the two hockey communities.

A Territory experience

The tour was more than just hockey. Collie’s group immersed themselves in the Territory lifestyle, from Darwin Waterfront and Mindil sunsets to Litchfield’s waterfalls, crocodile cruises, fishing adventures, and dinners by the sea.

Community Spirit

Before flying home, Collie players donated all their leftover food to the Salvation Army in Darwin, leaving a lasting message about the values of our sport.

Why it matters

The Festival of Hockey is proving its ability to attract teams, boost the visitor economy, and prepare athletes through quality match opportunities. These experiences fuel aspiration, showing Territory kids they can chase their dreams, and giving visiting teams a glimpse of the pathways we are building here.

Through the Northern Gateway Initiative, Hockey NT is strengthening partnerships with Hockey WA, which supported the Collie tour, and expanding ties into Asia through fixtures like the Indonesia series. Together, these interstate and international relationships are creating a platform for opportunity, inspiration, and belonging.

Darwin is emerging not just as a venue, but as a hub of aspiration, a place where players can test themselves, dream bigger, and see what is possible.