Two stalwarts of Tasmanian hockey are set to be announced as coaches of the state's teams in the new Hockey One League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Long-standing Tasmanian Institute of Sport hockey coach Andrew McDonald will take charge of the Tassie Tigers men's team while former Kookaburras international Luke Doerner will lead the women's when both teams begin their campaigns in October.
Hockey Tasmania officially launched the new entity on Wednesday with Kookaburras player Josh Beltz and 2018 Tassie Van Demons captain Sarah McCambridge modelling the new uniform.
Chief executive Damian Smith said the Tigers will lead the statewide conversation about the viability and support for Tasmanian sides in national competitions.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
- The Shaw Thing: Unsung New Zealand star of Cricket World Cup final
- TSLW: Scans all clear for Cuthbertson following concussion
- Matthew Wade presenting strong case for Ashes call-up
- Launceston runner Milly Clark excited by Olympic prospects
- NTFAW team of the year announced
- Big returns and big goals for the Tasmanians in the AFL
- Imports causing headaches for NPL Tasmania coaches
- 24lb Tasmanian trout caught and mounted
- Northern Hockey's future up for debate
- Rising tennis star back from year in the US
"This is the beginning of not just a new era for Tasmanian hockey, but for Tasmanian sport," he said.
"The Tassie Tigers are here. We exist now, and we want the Tasmanian hockey community to embrace the Tassie Tigers to ensure we continue to succeed at the highest level.
"We will be the test case for the state. We've had good crowds for Tasmanian teams playing here before, but the old Australian Hockey League was usually a two-week tournament format that came to Tasmania once every eight years.
"Hockey One will provide a minimum three home matchdays every season initially, with the Tassie Tigers travelling the country during the other rounds. Tasmanian sports lovers can send a loud, clear, unambiguous message to the nation by getting behind the Tassie Tigers and proving that Tasmanian teams are viable, sustainable, and can have success at the national level."
Foundation memberships have gone on sale.
The Tigers will start the Hockey One season against the Adelaide Fire at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre on Saturday, October 5.
U21 nationals
Tasmania's under-21 men's side ended its national championships campaign in positive fashion, defeating ACT 5-1 in their seventh-place play-off.
Skipper Linden McCarthy was again among the goal-scorers, with Samuel McCulloch (twice), George Wilkinson and Harvey Bessell the other contributors to the scoreboard.
The state's women's side finished sixth after losing its fifth versus sixth play-off to New South Wales 6-0.
Subscriptions are available here.
Sign up to our Sport email here.
Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
