Hockey One League (Hockey One, H1) has today launched a process to test the market interest for potential new franchise by inviting any interested party to respond to an Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI).
The Hockey One League was conceived in 2019 to replace the Australian Hockey League, with the first season played in 2019. It is currently a collaboration between Hockey Australia and the Member Associations. It features the best male and female players, coaches and officials in Australia, and several international athletes, each season.
There are seven founding clubs: Adelaide Fire, Brisbane Blaze, Canberra Chill, HC Melbourne, NSW Pride, Perth Thundersticks, and Tassie Tigers.
As the top tier national hockey competition for men and women, with no promotion and relegation, the League currently features:
- A home and away league structure with finals, comprised of 7 teams (7 mens and 7 womens teams) and featuring 21 regular season games, with a bye for each team.
- The Finals Series played in a central location involving the Top 4 teams from the mens and womens competition.
The Invitation for EOI is the first phase of what will be a multistage process, with this phase opening today and closing on 19 April 2024.
The following subsequent phases are envisaged: Phase 2 – Request for Proposal (May – June indicative), Phase 3 – Assessment and Review (July – August indicative), Phase 4 – Completion (September indicative).
At the conclusion of the EOI stage of the process, Hockey One League intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to shortlisted parties (if any) inviting the submission of detailed proposals. Additional information will be provided to shortlisted parties during the RFP phase to assist with their formal detailed proposal, as well as opportunities to meet with the H1 representatives.
More information and links to respond to the Expression of Interest invitation can be found here.
The Hockey One Executive Manager, Sash Herceg, said several potential respondents had already expressed their interest informally, and more could emerge during the process.
“Exploring the League’s expansion is one of the key elements of our recently launched Strategic Plan. With three seasons behind us, there is an opportunity to join us on this growth journey and help take the League to the next level, nationally and globally.
“Our national teams are competing strongly on the world stage and hockey participation base in bouncing back after COVID. Add to this the exciting developments in India, where the Indian Hockey League is about to kick off again, this is the right time to explore new Hockey One franchises.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders and interested parties during this multistage process” Herceg said.