2024 Junior State Championships heads to Regional Victoria

Hockey Victoria is delighted to announce Bendigo and Shepparton as hosts of the 2024 Junior State Championships.

After successfully delivering the Event in Bendigo and Shepparton in 2021, it is with great excitement we return to Regional Victoria with the support of Goulburn Valley Hockey Association, Greater Shepparton City Council, Hockey Central Vic and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Andrew Skillern, Hockey Victoria CEO remarked “I am really pleased to be taking our premium junior event to two regional hubs in 2024. The 2021 event was fantastic when our community came together as one to enjoy each other’s company and some amazing Hockey.”

Holding these Events in Regional Victoria is a great opportunity for participants to enjoy the world class hockey facilities in both locations, but also explore everything that these two great towns have to offer.

BENDIGO will host the following:

• Under 14 & Under 16 Boys – Friday 5^th July to Sunday 7^th July, 2024
• Under 18 Boys & Girls – Saturday 21^st September to Monday 23^rd September

SHEPPARTON will host the following:

• Under 14 & Under 16 Girls – Friday 5^th July to Sunday 7^th July, 2024
• Under 12 Boys & Girls Hockey 5s – Wednesday 3^rd July to Thursday 4^th July, 2024

Please note:

• The Under 14 & Under 16 age groups will only run for 3 days, instead of the 4 days they traditionally have. But teams will still play the same number of matches across the course of the Event. The Under 18 Boys & Girls was successfully run over 3 days this year. This change will result in all participants requiring one fewer night of accommodation.
• It is only possible to fit two age groups at one venue at a time. Hence the Under 14 & Under 16 girls will be together in Shepparton and the Under 14 & Under 16 Boys will be together in Bendigo. It is not possible to have them all at the same venue, there are not enough timeslots for the number of matches required.
• The Under 12s will run in the two days prior to the Under 14s and Under 16s. This not only means that more Hockey 5s fields can be set up (as there is access to two full field pitches for the duration of the Event), but it also means that the Under 14s and Under 16s can fit into the 3 days. It is not possible to have the Under 12s running at the same time as Under 14s and Under 16s if we want those age groups to run over 3 days.
• The Under 12s will again run as Hockey 5s, but with some rule modifications.
• The Under 18 National Championships will again run in the school holidays in the middle of the year which clashes with the JSC for the other age groups. In 2024, the Under 18 JSC will run in September once more and this will be reviewed again following next years event.

Player Nominations

Player Nominations for the 2024 Junior State Championships will open at the start of 2024, with Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 trails likely to be held on Sunday 21^st April, 2024. Under 18 trials are likely to be held on Sunday 14^th July, 2024.

Bendigo Tourism Information

For all the information you need on places to stay, things to do and see while in Bendigo please click here to visit the Bendigo Tourism website.

Shepparton Tourism and Information

Please click here for some great tourism information for Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley.

Quotes from Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr. Shane Sali

“It is a wonderful opportunity for Greater Shepparton to be able to host a high-profile event in our region and we thank Hockey Victoria for choosing our region and we look forward to working in collaboration with all parties to deliver the event," Mayor Shane Sali said.

“Without the investment into the $21 million redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports City Precinct which included substantial upgrades to the Regional Hockey Complex, our region would not be in a position to bring these amazing events such as this, which brings much needed economic stimulus to the region and supports our local visitor economy industries.''

“The event will come at a great time for our visitor economy during the winter school holidays, running over five days providing a big economic boost to our accommodation, hospitality, entertainment, retail and tourism attraction sectors.”

Quote from City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf

“We are proud of our reputation as a premier hockey centre in Victoria and delighted to be hosting events as part of the 2024 Junior State Championships at our world-class Bendigo Hockey Precinct,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Players and their supporters can look forward to experiencing our outstanding facilities, including our world-class standard hockey pitches certified by the International Hockey Federation that I am sure will inspire up and coming junior players to compete at the highest level to win.

“I encourage participants and their families to make the most of their stay in Bendigo and discover why we are renowned for our status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

“As it will be the winter school holidays, you’ll be able to experience a great range of events and attractions, a wonderful choice of eateries and retail offerings that make Bendigo a must-see destination.”

Quote from Hockey Central Victoria President Georgia DeSalis

Hockey Central Vic are pleased to be co-hosting the 2024 Junior State Championships. We looked forward to families experiencing all that Bendigo has to offer both on and off the pitch. HCV

Quote from Goulburn Valley Hockey Association president Cam Druitt

The Goulburn Valley Hockey Association eagerly await the return of the Junior State Championships in July 2024. Since hosting the championships in 2021, the GVHA has maintained momentum in hosting significant events with a Premier League Round in 2022 and Hockey Australia’s Country Championships this August. This momentum has been important coming out of Covid and the recent floods in October 2022.

The GVHA sees the return of the championships as not only as an economic boost to the region, but also as an opportunity to advance hockey in the region and provide an enjoyable social environment for our members and visitors at a time when we are being challenged as a sport.

We thank Hockey Victoria for the opportunity to again host the championships and warmly welcome players, staff and supporters from all over the state.

For all media enquiries, contact media@hockeyvictoria.org.au