Northern Territory Hockey Launches Landmark International Model with the Northern Gateway Initiative

‘To be treated the same, we have to be different.’

Hockey Northern Territory (HNT) has today officially launched the Northern Gateway Initiative (NGI), a bold, Territory-led model that has secured multi-year international partnerships and a major event calendar aimed at delivering sustainable sporting growth, regional diplomacy, and high-performance opportunities across the Asia-Pacific.

Developed in direct response to the Northern Territory’s exclusion from the national Hockey One League, the NGI is also focused on building a sustainable model for Territory hockey and Territory sport more broadly, that supports community and government objectives to uplift the Northern Territory.

With formal support from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, Indonesian Hockey Federation, Hockey New Zealand, Hockey WA, and Hockey Australia, the NGI now positions Darwin as a regional hub for elite competition, cultural exchange, and cross-border development.

A Territory-Built Model for Regional Connection and Performance

The NGI connects international competition, athlete development, staff and athlete exchanges, and major event delivery. It is designed to strengthen local capability while establishing direct playing and training partnerships with neighbouring countries, ensuring the Territory plays a leading role in shaping the future of sport across Oceania and Southeast Asia.

“We’ve spent years being told we’re too small, too remote, too hard to include,” said Jason Butcher, CEO of Hockey NT.
“To be treated the same, we have to be different, and the Northern Gateway Initiative is the result. It’s a Territory-built model that connects our strengths with our region and creates a platform where our athletes and communities don’t have to wait for opportunity — we’re creating it.”

“We’re not waiting for someone to come and save us. For too long we’ve had to rely on others to decide if we’re included. The Northern Gateway Initiative is about creating our own destiny. It is built on our terms, shaped by our geography and values, and connected to the region on our own footing. We carry a responsibility to our heritage, to the athletes, families and community who have written our extraordinary story and to the future for our kids. We are leveraging our strengths and opportunities to build support in the areas that will help us grow and make our sport sustainable.”

“Hockey Australia fully supports the NGI as a key initiative that builds the health and long-term sustainability of hockey in the Northern Territory. The NGI strategically positions the Territory as a hub for international competition, development, and exchange, while fostering collaboration across Southeast Asia and Oceania. It aligns with national priorities around performance, participation, and inclusion, and provides a scalable, community-connected model that benefits both Territory and Australian hockey. We commend Hockey NT’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and regional leadership, and we look forward to continuing our strong support for these initiatives.” David Pryles- Hockey Australia CEO

“Oceania Hockey and by extension FIH, is excited to play a small part in this to the bigger goals and ambition of Hockey NT and the NGI. Asian Hockey and Oceania Hockey Federation have an MoU to drive engagement between our two regions, and Hockey NT has jumped out quickly to showcase this by its partnerships with Malaysian and Indonesian Hockey and it’s also great to see the collaboration of both HA and HNZ, in this overall partnership. The NT is very well regarded in Southeast Asia, with multiple countries citing the success of previous Arafura Games, and we see more opportunities off the back of the NGI launch” Cam Vale - Oceania Hockey Federation President

Key Strategic Agreements Secured:

Malaysia

• Four-year agreement with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (2025–2028)
• Annual Territory Stingers participation in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL)
• Darwin to host MHL home games from 2026
• Agreement to include up to two Malaysian junior players annually in each NT state team (U14–U21)
• Agreement to develop a joint Hockey One submission 

Indonesia

• Four-year agreement with the Indonesian Hockey Federation (2025–2028)
• Annual five-game series in Darwin between the Stingers and Indonesia’s national men’s and women’s teams
• Coach and program development support and exchange

New Zealand

• New Zealand players to support the Stingers in the MHL
• Blacksticks men to play a 2-game series v a combined Stingers/Malaysian team (Oceania Cup lead up)
• Collaboration with Hockey New Zealand for athlete and coach exchange opportunities

Western Australia

• MoU with Hockey WA for shared player access, staff development pathways, resource sharing, and expanded regional delivery across Northern WA
• Strategic alignment to support a future Territory submission to rejoin the Hockey One League

Hockey Australia

• Endorsement of the NGI framework and junior state team rebrand under the Territory Stingers identity
• Support for integration of international athletes into NT programs
• Hosting rights for National junior championships in Darwin (2026-2028)

Confirmed Event and Competition Schedule (2025–2028)

2025

• Black Sticks v Malaysia/Stingers international series – Aug 30 & Sept 1, Darwin
• Festival of Hockey: Stingers v Indonesia five-game series –18-24 September
• Oceania Cup hosted in Darwin –4–7 September

2026

• Territory Stingers compete in MHL (Jan/Feb)
• First MHL home game in Darwin (Jan/Feb)
• National U18 Men’s and Women’s Championships hosted in Darwin – July
• Festival of Hockey: Stingers v Indonesia – September/October

2027

• Territory Stingers return to Malaysia for MHL Year 3, including Darwin home games
• National U18s hosted again in Darwin
• Indonesia series continues

2028

• Final year of MHL and Indonesia agreements
• National juniors hosted again in Darwin
• Darwin positioned as a pre-Olympics staging base for Asia-Pacific teams preparing for Brisbane 2032

Realising the Full Potential

While the NGI has been made possible through strategic collaboration and international commitment, it is currently progressing without ongoing NT Government investment. The initiative builds on momentum first enabled through NTG support for the first year of the four years in the Malaysian Hockey League, which laid the groundwork for long-term regional agreements and expanded pathways.

“This initiative is no longer conceptual, it is active, endorsed and delivering outcomes,” said Butcher.
“We’re focused on building something that reflects the Territory’s potential and its position in the region. The foundations are in place, the partnerships are strong, and the opportunity is clear. Our next challenge is to ensure the momentum we’ve created can be fully realised.”

Next Steps

Hockey NT will continue working with national and international partners to ensure the Territory remains at the centre of Southeast Asia-Pacific sporting collaboration, community development, and elite opportunity.

We are now seeking support to contribute to this exciting initiative, a first-of-its-kind, innovative approach to sustainable sport delivery in the Northern Territory, ensuring our kids and communities are not excluded from opportunity and have strong, inclusive pathways in place.

Media Contact:
Elle Richardson
Media & Communications
Hockey Northern Territory
elle.richardson@hockeynt.asn.au
www.hockeynt.asn.au