Latest News

Ice Hockey Australia + Australian Sports Foundation Partnership Announced

1 December 2023

Ice Hockey Australia is pleased to announce a partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). This exciting partnership will initially support Australian National Teams, before identifying important and critical areas for the game locally.

In collaboration with the ASF, Ice Hockey Australia is aiming to ease the cost burden on players and families to compete on an international stage. Annually, IHA sends five teams across different age groups and genders, including U18 men and women, U20 men, and senior men and women teams. Australian teams perform well on the international stage, with the U20 men winning gold in Division III, and U18 women claiming gold in Division II to be promoted to Division I in 2024. Moving forward, areas to identify include grassroots, national championships, and equipment, to support the anticipated growth generated by a larger participation base.

“We’re delighted to partner with Ice Hockey Australia to help raise much needed funds to support their Under 18s women and Under 20s men’s sides to compete at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2024”- Ben Durance, Sports Fundraising Manager, Australian Sports Foundation. 

“Ice hockey is a sleeping giant of Australian sports. We saw in the recent NHL Global Series in September in Melbourne, the attention the two-game series attracted was huge. The excitement from the NHL has increased our enquires and with this we expect an increase to participation numbers”. Adam Woolnough, General Manager, Ice Hockey Australia said. “We are delighted to partner with ASF to bring their 30 years of expertise to the table to support and enable our national teams travel internationally, before working on other key projects”.

To support the U18 Women and U20 Men ‘World Championship’ campaigns in January 2024, please see links to relevant donation pages.

U18 Women World Championships 2024 | Australian Sports Foundation (asf.org.au)

U20 Men’s World Championships 2024 | Australian Sports Foundation (asf.org.au)

For more information on the Australian Sports Foundation, please visit Australian Sports Foundation | Australian Sports Foundation (asf.org.au)

Update on Player Safety and Neck Guards

29 November 2023

Ice Hockey Australia update: Player Safety

Our global sporting community continues to process the recent tragic event of the death of Adam Johnson in the UK. At Ice Hockey Australia we, together with our Member Associations (MA) and Leagues, are very aware of our collective responsibilities as custodians of the sport.

As in all sports, the safety of our players is our upmost concern. We are firmly committed to our obligation to review all safety measures – and particularly ensure a detailed, well thought through and investigated approach to neck guards takes place for all players.

With this consideration in mind and recognising the probable requirement for a staged response, the IHA in conjunction with our state MA’s, has resolved the following actions:
A. Immediate step: The IHA continues to support a strong recommendation that all players at all levels across Australian Ice Hockey use a neck guard or protector while participating in all ice activities. This is in combination with the mandated requirement that all players 20 years and under (men) and 18 years and under (women) already must wear neck guards in accordance with the IIHF rulebook. As a step up to this, IHA together with it’s MA’s, confirm an agreed desire to move to a staged mandate of guards, pending consultation with the IIHF. Consultation with the IIHF has continued over the last weeks as they put to their safety committee formal recommendations.
B. Short term step: Consultation has commenced with neck guard manufacturers to seek insights on supplies. A measured roll out plan in 2024 has been discussed in order to allow players to meet the expected requirement in the event of the mandate. A reach out to players to seek input on the possible roll out of neck guards will be undertaken. A further review of safety equipment to be completed to use this tragic situation as a reminder to constantly review measures in place to keep players safe.
C. Medium to longer term step: Pending consultation from the IIHF, a statement confirming the change to regulations to mandate guards across all ice activities including matches and training with a communicated timing around Q2 of 2024. This will include any specifications around the protective equipment and a well thought out commencement date that respects available supply.

Our responsibility, as it is that now of the ice hockey community world-wide, is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking incident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future. We are fully aware of our duty to respond in a measured and pragmatic way. There is a strong likelihood that comprehensive evaluations will transpire at the international level, and the IHA is committed to taking an active and constructive role in any capacity in this process.

 

Ice Hockey Australia Partners with Torrens University

24 November 2023

Ice Hockey Australia is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with leading Australian tertiary educator, Torrens University. The collaboration will extend to IHA Members across a range of exciting opportunities, including tertiary education, personal and professional development, and industry placements for Torrens students.

Darryn Melrose, the Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Industry Partnerships at Torrens University said both Torrens University and Ice Hockey Australia recognised the importance of education, and personal and professional skill development for those connected to the sport.

“Education is a potent tool for personal growth and career advancement, and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring Ice Hockey Australia members have access to a quality education, with flexible learning options, that empower ice hockey athletes and enthusiasts to pursue education without compromising their unwavering commitment to the sport,” said Mr Melrose.

“We are absolutely delighted to team up with Ice Hockey Australia to support their members, staff, and volunteers on their educational and professional journeys.”

Adam Woolnough, General Manager at Ice Hockey Australia, said IHA would collaborate closely with Torrens University students on various industry projects, providing them with practical, real-world experience in day-to-day work-based initiatives, including working in teams.

“We value our IHA Members highly, and by providing opportunities for tertiary education support, we can assist with their own personal and professional development on and off the ice. We also look forward to helping students from Torrens University achieve their career goals too,” said Mr Woolnough.

“This is a milestone collaboration with Australia’s fastest-growing university, and we thank Torrens University for their commitment and vision to partner with IHA as we grow as a sport”.

For more information, please contact office@iha.org.au

International Ice Hockey back in Melbourne

14 November 2023

Ice Hockey Australia is pleased to announce an International Series is to be played in Melbourne in March 2024, with national pride on the line when Australia hosts New Zealand at O’Brien Icehouse.

Following the success of the National Hockey League Global Series played in Melbourne during September, interest in ice hockey continues to grow and the three game series between Australia and New Zealand will provide another opportunity for fans to enjoy international ice hockey in Melbourne.

“Ice Hockey Australia is pleased to host this Trans-Tasman series at O’Brien Icehouse. Our national team plays overseas a lot, so to have such a high calibre series at home will provide our players with the chance to play in front of home crowds, including family and friends.

“This series will be the perfect preparation for both teams leading into the 2024 World Championships, so it is sure to be a hotly contested three games,” said Adam Woolnough, General Manager of Ice Hockey Australia.

The three game series will be played at O’Brien Icehouse on March 15, 16 and 17 next year and follows the very successful series between these teams played at the venue in 2022.

“Without the support of O’Brien Icehouse, this series would not happen. The management and staff at O’Brien Icehouse are committed to the game of hockey in Melbourne, and we appreciate all their support,” added Adam.

New Zealand is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their best ice hockey talent against their sporting archrivals.

“We’re thrilled to see the Trans-Tasman series return to Melbourne – after a sold-out series in New Zealand earlier this year, and the NHL having just played in Melbourne, ice hockey is on everyone’s mind and demand for this series will be high.

“The series takes place right before the Ice Blacks compete at the World Championship, and there’s no better lead into that than the New Zealand and Australian rivalry,” said Andy Mills, President of New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation.

O’Brien Icehouse was the training venue for the NHL teams while they were in Melbourne and the International Series is another important event for the venue.

“We know the interest in ice hockey continues to grow, as was seen at the NHL games and the recent AIHL finals here at O’Brien Icehouse. Hosting another International series is a great opportunity for the venue and reinforces O’Brien Icehouse as the home of ice hockey in Australia,” said Lee Gordon, General Manager at O’Brien Icehouse.

Trans-Tasman Ice Hockey Series

Australia (Mighty Roos) vs New Zealand (Ice Blacks)

O’Brien Icehouse, Docklands

Three Games in March 2024:

  • Friday March 15
  • Saturday March 16
  • Sunday March 17

Series Tickets and individual game tickets are now on sale through Trybooking.

Click Here for details

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1135660

For further information contact:

Ice Hockey Australia

Adam Woolnough

General Manager

adam.woolnough@iha.org.au

PH: +61 410 549 559

New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation

Andy Mills

President

president@nzicehockey.co.nz

PH: +64 27 244 3916

O’Brien Icehouse

Lee Gordon

General Manager

lee.gordon@obrienicehouse.com.au

PH: +61 419 574 261

Australian Olympic Committee Selects Winter Youth Olympic Team

8 November 2023

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has selected 13 players to form the Australian ice hockey team to play at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon, South Korea, 2024. 

Annika Schmitz, Elin Schmitz, Georgia Watts, Grace Kalambokas, Gwendolyn Ellis, Hannah Cryan, Jasmin Mayor, Johanna Meissner, Katie Meyer, Olivia Gargano, Poppy Noone, Sophie Reader and Tara Baker, make up the team in the 3 v 3 version at the tournament in Gangwon.

Australia earned its spot at WYOG after the International Ice Hockey Federation calculated its Youth Rankings, with Australia ranked 24 in the world for the combined U18 Men and Women teams.

Off the back of a stellar 2023 on the international stage which gathered gold for the U18 Women and U20 Men at World Championships, qualification for WYOG caps off a remarkable year.

Ryan O’Handley – President of IHA 

“We are so proud to qualify for the Winter Youth Olympics. The team that coach Remi Harvey has been able to select with the AOC is as good as you will get. Since qualification was confirmed, the whole ice hockey community has been so supportive and excited for this group of players. We can’t wait for the team to be able to experience an Olympic Games, not many people have done that in our sport in Australia.

Remi Harvey – Head Coach

“The determination from the group has been outstanding. My simple message to the selected players is to be proud of what they have achieved and really double down now and keep working hard.

The ice hockey 3v3 tournament will commence on 20 January 2023 at Gangneung Hockey Centre, with the medal matches taking place on 25 January 2023. 

The team will hold a final mini camp in Sydney in the coming weeks. The 3v3 format is a new style of play that is unfamiliar to many, however, since July the team have been working hard on training drills, watching video, and liaising with players such as Courtney Mahoney that represented Australian in a mixed team in Lausanne, 2020. 

The team will be led and supported by the following coaches and staff. Remi Harvey (Head Coach), Don MacDonald (Assistant Coach), Diane Doornbos (Team Manager) and Jayden Ryan (Equipment Manager).