National Championships Update

National Championships Update

Melbourne, Australia – Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) wish to provide further facts surrounding the disqualification of the Victorian Tange Team from the recent National Championships held in Newcastle, NSW.

The event, a cornerstone of the hockey program in Australia annually, is overseen by a National Tournament Director appointed by IHA.

The Victorian Team was suspended from the championship under rule 14.8.11 of the Sports Regulations which state: a Member Association allowing ineligible people to participate in National Championships will incur a penalty of $500 per person per game, payable to IHA. The team will be suspended from the Championship and may face further disciplinary action.

This regretful situation arose as a result of observations from livestream viewers referred to IHA and the Championships Director that an ineligible additional management team member may have joined the bench for the Semi Final Game against NSW on Sunday 19th July. This observation was from multiple members of different state ice hockey associations. Management from the IHV Tange Team confirmed that this error was an oversight by team management and all those on the bench were thought to have been registered. A check by the Championships Director revealed that this official had not, and had never been, registered with the IHV Tange Team for 2026. All teams participating in the championships were notified on multiple occasions of the need to ensure that players and management members were registered in the Electronic Sports Desk (ESD) registration system. The National Tournament Director, together with the Tournament RIC and Ice Hockey Australia confirm that this did demonstrate a breach of the Sports Regulations governing the championships. These rules have governed the tournament in its current format for the past 3 years, and prior to this in individual formats for more than 10 years.

A review of the situation took place at the time with particular focus on the impact on the young players, their families and the wider hockey community. IHA acknowledges the negative impact that this decision has had on all concerned.

In an effort to ensure such situations don't arise in the future, further training on the regulations and checks will be conducted in future years to each of the member states to ensure team leadership have opportunity for refresh of requirements.
We pass on gratitude to those involved with the Tournament, and especially the volunteers for the tireless efforts and hours pursuing the growth and enjoyment of the sport we love. Ice Hockey Australia thank all of the teams involved.

For more information on ice hockey in Australia, visit www.iha.org.au.