Hockey Queensland (HQ) and Hockey Australia (HA) have jointly submitted to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games 100 Day Review, addressing the venue requirements for hockey at the Games. This submission reflects the collective commitment of HQ and HA to ensuring both the success of the Games and the establishment of a lasting legacy for hockey in Queensland.

The submission identifies the Gold Coast Hockey Centre (GCHC) as the optimal venue for the 2032 Games, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution that aligns closely with the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the 100-Day Infrastructure Review. As a legacy facility from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the GCHC requires minimal upgrades, including an additional pitch and broadcasting capabilities, to meet international standards. These upgrades would not only ensure a world-class Olympic competition but also unlock opportunities for pre-Games activations, such as the FIH World Cup, Junior World Cup, and other key events.

HQ and HA emphasise that the presentation of hockey as a fan-favourite Olympic sport is paramount, with a strong focus on delivering a visually and aesthetically engaging experience for global audiences. The Gold Coast venue stands uniquely positioned to achieve this goal while offering a professional environment for athletes and fans alike. Importantly, the venue integrates seamlessly with the proposed athlete village at Robina, ensuring a full Olympic standard athlete experience.

While the Gold Coast is recommended as the primary venue for competition, HQ and HA underline the essential need for a lasting legacy in Brisbane. Hockey in Queensland faces a critical infrastructure deficit, with a current shortfall of 6–7 synthetic pitches as identified in the 2024 Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study. This deficit affects both community participation and high-performance development. If a temporary solution, such as “drop-in, rip-out” pitches at Ballymore, is pursued, it must be accompanied by a commitment to legacy upgrades in Brisbane. These upgrades should include improvements to the State Hockey Centre and investments in additional pitches to meet future demand and provide enduring benefits for the hockey community.

The submission also identifies unresolved constraints with the Ballymore site, flagged during prior consultations, including feedback from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). These include orientation challenges, incomplete planning documentation, and the impact of environmental risks highlighted by the 2022 Brisbane floods that also affected Downey Park. While HQ and HA remain open to engaging further on temporary solutions, such options cannot fully align with the TOR’s legacy-focused principles without accompanying lasting infrastructure investments.

Finally, to fully leverage the opportunities presented by Brisbane 2032, HQ and HA recommend that Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) develop a comprehensive International Sports Event Strategy to secure international sporting events as revenue generators for Queensland ahead of the Games as a clearly defined pre-legacy benefit. Such a strategy would position Queensland as a global hub for sports tourism, enabling the State to attract and deliver world-class international sporting events across a range of disciplines, including hockey. 

In conclusion, HQ and HA recommend that hockey remain central to the Brisbane 2032 vision as both a sports showcase and an enduring legacy for Queensland and Australia.

Find the Submission here