Albany, the southernmost city of Western Australia, has become the national home of regional hockey as teams from across the country test their skills against the best.
Since last Saturday, regional teams have been competing in the 2022 Hockey Australia Country Challenge.
With tournaments over recent years cancelled due to COVID, anticipation for this year's competition has been immense.
Tournament director Nicola Ogden said teams from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, as well as a composite team from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), were competing this year.
Ms Ogden described the week as "the bomb diggity" of regional hockey.
She said Albany's selection as the host city, which was also home to the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association, was largely due to the excellent quality of the facilities.
More than just hockey
Ms Ogden said the competition did not just bring high-level sports to the region, but also an economic boost.
"We bring in the players and their contingents … they take up accommodation, they use the hospitality services … they add to the tourism for the area," she said.
"They're also giving back to the community in the area by contributing to clinics … each team provided some players who came along and coached some of the local junior [hockey players].
"It was fantastic … I think the kids had an absolute ball, but I'm pretty sure the players doing the coaching had an even better time."
Coordinator and WA women's team captain Laura Archer agreed that running clinics with local young enthusiasts of the sport were a rewarding part of the week's events.
"It was good to give back to some local kids and just … teach them a few skills and encourage them to keep playing hockey," she said.
A home game's a good game
Being from Mount Barker herself, Archer said it was a treat to bring high-level hockey to the region.
The Great Southern representation in the WA teams was strong this year with 22-year-old Bonnie Crook who grew up in Albany and now represents the state as goalkeeper for the WA women's team.
"I think it makes it more accessible for the young ones coming through to see that they can play hockey at this level," Crook said.
"It is possible to do it, and that living regionally isn't a barrier, necessarily."
Queensland men's assistant coach Nate Milevskiy said he and the Brisbane players had thoroughly enjoyed waking up to their beachside views at Cozy Corner.
"Standing on the beach every morning, having a coffee has been very relaxing for the boys, which has helped our prep even better," he said.
Mr Milevskiy said the competition so far had been a brilliant experience; an experience he hoped would remind the newcomers to the team of where their sporting passion could take them.
"It's definitely an opportunity to see where they can go, and show that … even when you are in your late 20s, you can still play in the national championships," he said.
After a week of fierce competition, qualifying teams will battle it out for the coveted top spot in the finals on Saturday.
