The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and Hockey Northern Territory (HNT) have entered into a groundbreaking partnership agreement today that paves the way for the Territory Stingers men’s and women’s teams to compete in the Malaysian Hockey League.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by MHC President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Hockey Northern Territory Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jason Butcher in the presence of HNT secretary Mr Eddy O’Brien and HNT board member Mr. Logan Raj, who was the former CEO of the Malaysian national hockey body.
MHC Vice President and Competitions Committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh, MHC Chief Executive Officer V. Jayanandhan, and national senior team head coach Sarjit Singh joined the event.
This partnership marks a significant leap for both organisations as they collaborate to enhance hockey across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Territory Stingers will compete in the MHL from 2025-2028. The Australians are the second foreign team next to China’s Liaoning men’s and women’s teams who have confirmed participation in the 2025 MHL which commences on January 4 until February 22.
Liaoning women’s team clinched the Vivian May Soars Cup 2024 with a 3-0 win over Malaysian University in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
It is understood that the Northern Territory Government will support the Territory Stingers with AUS$150,000 in funding as the teams prepare to compete in the 2025 Malaysian Hockey League.
Speaking to members of the media at a press conference, Datuk Seri Subahan said: “MHL has been going on for many years and we are trying to bring in a different field for the league. Normally hockey leagues around the world is for a duration of six to seven weeks. In Australia, Hockey 1, which is the main league, is held for six weeks. The MHL is played between 6-8 weeks because the calendar for world hockey is tight.”
“Moving forward we are getting a lot of response from foreign clubs. We are also promoting top foreign players to compete in our league. For instance, Argentinean Gonzalo Peillat played for Terengganu Hockey Team in the MHL Premier Division in 2018,” he added.
“Liaoning’s men’s and women’s teams are excited to compete in our league again. China’s women’s team is playing well in international tournaments and they have many national players in the Liaoning side.”
He added that clubs from India and Indonesia have also requested to compete in the MHL. However, the competition committee restricted participation to two foreign teams this year.
“This arrangement between MHC and Hockey NT was done by Logan, the former CEO of MHC, who is a board member of Hockey NT. We have drafted several points in the MoU.
“Firstly, Hockey NT will play in our league this year and for the next three years. Secondly, they are also very confident they will be able to compete in the Hockey 1 League in Australia next year.
“We have an understanding that when they compete in the Hockey 1 League 50 per cent of the players on the team will come from Hockey NT while the remaining 50 percent will be represented by our players,” noted Datuk Seri Subahan.
“This is another way how we can expose our players to playing in the Australian league, which is a very prestigious tournament. The national team head coach as well as junior and women’s coaches will decide on this,” he said.
The other terms outlined in the MoU are a module programme that involves Hockey NT coaches, who are mostly former national players, conducting coaching clinics with National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP) players.
Other contents of the MoU, said Datuk Seri Subahan, encompass an exchange programme for local coaches and umpires to be involved with the Hockey NT coaching team during the Australian League. The national coach and umpire board will decide on the candidates.
“Two umpires from Australia will be umpiring in our league while our umpires will also be involved in HNT leagues. On another matter, we will also be sending our junior men’s and women’s teams to compete in the Festival of Hockey, a tournament designed for Under-21 players. It is held in September,” added Datuk Seri Subahan. “This is the best we can do to provide exposure for our players without having to spend so much money.”
In his speech, Jason said Hockey NT was grateful for this opportunity.
“After this year we will be in the MHL for another three years and that essentially will be a total of four years. The Hockey 1 component is a vision that we have been putting together and building a partnership that can uplift both our organisations.”
“This is a partnership that is going to work very well. We are extremely excited and grateful, and looking forward to getting here in February and competine in the league,” he said.
Meanwhile, Logan added: “What is important here is the alignment of the values between Hockey NT and MHC. It is not about propelling the sport and bringing it to the next level but it is about working together with the communities as mentioned.”
“It is also about trying to bring the expertise that we have in Hockey NT and disseminate this information to the various communities. Hockey NT is very committed to building the game within the communities because we also have similar values,” he added.
‘This is going to be a very successful arrangement and the idea of playing as a combined unit between Malaysia and Hockey NT in Hockey 1 which is primarily the best local without foreign players. I think it is really good for Malaysian players as it helps both parties.”
