Northern Territory opens a new chapter in regional hockey with Indonesian Player Exchange

Hockey Northern Territory (Hockey NT) will launch an Indonesian Player Exchange in 2026, bringing six male and six female Indonesian athletes to Darwin for a Territory-led program that strengthens local competition and deepens sporting relationships across Southeast Asia.

The initial exchange is planned to run 12–22 June 2026, with visiting athletes available to play in the Territory Premier League (TPL) across two competition weekends: 13–14 June and 20–21 June. The exchange is designed as the first step in a longer-term partnership model, with scope for athletes to return across the season as the partnerships with clubs grows.

This exchange is an extension of our current four-year agreement, which includes Indonesia playing in the annual Festival of Hockey.

For the Northern Territory, this is a program that fits the place and the people. Territory hockey has always been supported by a multicultural community - shaped by shared effort, different backgrounds, and a strong sense of belonging. This exchange takes that identity and turns it into a clear sporting direction: a northern-facing pathway that connects Darwin into the region through high-quality competition and meaningful partnership.

What supporters will see in June

The Indonesian athletes will become part of the Darwin hockey environment during the exchange period - training within the Territory system, engaging with local clubs and community, and competing across the opening phase of the TPL season.

The exchange will also create practical learning inside club environments, as coaches and players share methods, styles, and experiences on and off the field - strengthening local capability and giving clubs new insights to bring back into their own programs.

Athletes will be allocated to TPL clubs through a structured draft process, adding a new layer of excitement and storyline to the season - and giving clubs, players, and supporters a direct role in welcoming international talent into the Territory Premier League.

A regional pathway with a clear purpose

The exchange is designed to continue to expand what’s possible for Territory hockey - lifting standards locally while building capability, connection, and opportunity across borders.

As part of the program, Hockey NT will also use the exchange to assess the potential for Indonesian athletes to be included in future Territory Stingers squads for the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), strengthening the Stingers’ northern pathway and creating a tangible link between local competition and international opportunity.

“Hockey in the Northern Territory has always been supported by people from different places coming together for the same reason - to play, to belong, and to chase opportunity,” said Hockey NT CEO Jason Butcher.

“This exchange is a practical step in the direction we’re building: connecting Territory hockey into Southeast Asia, strengthening our competition, and widening the pathway for our athletes. It brings new energy into the season, new relationships into our community, and it helps us explore how Indonesian athletes could contribute within the Stingers environment and the Malaysian Hockey League program over time.”

“Indonesia is committed to building real, lasting partnerships through hockey, and this exchange with Hockey Northern Territory is an important step in that direction,” said Yasser Arafat Suaidy Secretary General of the Indonesia Hockey Federation.

“The Northern Territory sits at the natural gateway between our regions, and Darwin provides a strong environment for our athletes to compete, learn, and connect with a multicultural hockey community. This program gives our players meaningful match experience and the chance to grow as leaders, while strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and Australian hockey at both community and high-performance level.”

“We look forward to continuing to strengthen our Territory connection, including creating pathways that benefit athletes, clubs, and families across both countries.”