The Hockey One League has appointed a new Executive Manager, with experienced sports executive Sash Herceg to lead Australia’s premier national hockey league.
Herceg returns to the sport having spent seven years with Hockey Victoria from 2014-2021, including three years as Chief Operating Officer, and was most recently the Acting Executive Manager – Future Healthy Group with VicHealth.
“Sash brings his extensive experience from inside the hockey system, specifically his successful time at Hockey Victoria, in which he played a key role in the implementation of HC Melbourne in the inaugural season of our competition,” said Hockey One League Chair, Carolyn Campbell.
“He is an innovative sports administrator with a reputation for leading people and delivering strategic and commercial outcomes, making him the perfect person to build upon our highly successful second season.”
“Last season saw the Hockey One League explode with 50 percent growth in match day attendances as well as 248 percent growth in engagement on both domestic and international broadcast. Sash is an ideal fit to take the League into its next exciting phase as anticipation turns to a return in early October for our first successive season.”
Herceg will officially begin on 5 June and will lean on his proven commitment to growing the game of hockey to deliver the Hockey One League in a way that betters the experience for fans, teams and stakeholders alike.
“I’m excited about re-joining the hockey family and look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to deliver long-term, sustainable success for the League and its licensees,” Herceg said.
“My goal is to position the Hockey One League as a leading sporting league in Australia and drive its further growth and promotion, that recognises the world class athletes, coaches, officials and fans involved.”
Herceg replaces former General Manager Andy Crook, who was instrumental in re-launching the Hockey One League and further increasing its relevance in the media sphere, after COVID-19 put the brakes on the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Season 3 of the Hockey One League is set to begin in early October 2023, with NSW Pride the defending men’s and women’s champions.