Australian Hockey League
 | |
| Sport | Field Hockey |
|---|---|
| Inaugural season | 1991 |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country | Australia |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Victoria Vikings (men) Queensland Scorchers (women) |
| Most titles |
WA Thundersticks (10 times)(men) NSW Arrows (9 times)(women)<s/mall> |
| Official website | Official website |
The Australian Hockey League (AHL) [1] is Australia’s premier national domestic field hockey competition. Despite its non-professional nature, AHL is considered one of the strongest and most competitive national field hockey leagues in the world. The AHL consists of both men's and women's competition. It includes many players from the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos, and participating in the AHL is a selection requirement for all Australian national squad members.
History
The first season of the Australian Men's National Hockey League (former AHL) took place in 1991, when the perpetual national championship was replaced by a new-look format. The competition, which was played over a two-month period, did not limit player eligibility to state of origin. Six teams competed in the first year - Brisbane Blades, Melbourne Redbacks, Adelaide Hotshots, Canberra Lakers, Sydney Stingrays and Tamworth Frogs. In 1991 and 1992, both the National Championship and the National Hockey League was played, placing a financial burden on the states. From 1993, the decision was made to play the National Hockey League as the sole competition in determining Australia's champion State.
The league has since evolved into an eight team competition played on a home and away basis before climaxing with a finals series. In 2000, 2004 and 2008 however, the league reverted to a two-week championship format. This format is designed to replicate the intense nature and heavy playing schedule of the Olympic Games. The league embraced some big changes leading into the 2001 season as the former Men's and Women's National Hockey League combined to form the Australian Hockey League (AHL). Both the men's and women's leagues shifted their seasons from mid-year to February–April and a unique format was adopted. The format devised allows a high level of hockey to be seen across Australia through four weeks of home-and-away competition. The league then climaxes with a full finals week that comprises three round matches, the semi-finals and finals.
Competition format
2015
The 2015 tournaments are hosted in Darwin (men's league) and Sydney (women's league) from 25 September to 2 October. The tournament is divided into two pools, Pool A and Pool B, consisting of four teams with each team playing the others in its pool in the first round (round robin). The top two teams in each of these pools then progress to Pool C, the pool from which they can progress to the grand final. Also, the bottom two teams in these pools go into Pool D. The teams then play the teams that they haven’t already played, carrying the points from their first round match against the other team that came through with them. The top two teams in Pool C go on to contest the grand final, while the bottom two teams in Pool C contest for the bronze medal. The top two teams in Pool D contest for 5th/6th place and the bottom two in Pool D contest for 7th/8th place.
For the first time ever, all 48 games of the AHL were streamed live on the Tenplay website (Network Ten), produced by live streaming company Hockey Zone (owned by Brisbane Hockey).[2] International fans could also watch the games via the IHF or Livestream.
2016
The AHL format has been slightly altered for 2016.[3] The Mens and Womens Leagues will be played together in Perth at the Perth Hockey Stadium, in conjunction with the Under 13 Australian Carnival.
In 2016 a number of invitational teams from New Zealand, Malaysia and India have been invited to compete. Meaning the number of competing teams increases to 10 (women) and 12 (men).[4]
Competition rules
Played under FIH international rule. 4 x 15 minute quarters.
In Finals matches if the match is a draw at the end of 60 minutes the match proceeds to a penalty shootout competition.
Points
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 3 |
| Draw | 1 |
| Loss | 0 |
Finals Matches
Men
Cross-Over Games
Semi-Final 1 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
Semi-FInal 2 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
Classification 1 5th Pool B v 6th Pool A
Classification 2 5th Pool A v 6th Pool B
Classification 3 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
Classification 4 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B
Finals
Gold = Winner of Semi-Final 1 v Winner of Semi-Final 2
Bronze = Loser of (Semi-Final 1 v Loser of Semi-Final 2
Classification 5 (11th Place) = Loser of Classification 1 v Loser of Classification 2
Classification 6 (9th Place) = Winner of Classification 1 v Winner of Classification 2
Classification 7 (7th Place) = Loser of Classification 3 v Loser of Classification 4
Classification 8 (5th Place) = Winner of Classification 3 v Winner of Classification 4
Women
Cross-Over Games
Semi-Final 1 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
Semi-FInal 2 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
Classification 1 5th Pool A v 5th Pool B
Classification 2 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
Classification 3 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B
Classification 4 4th Pool B v 5th Pool A
Classification 5 4th Pool A v 5th Pool B
Classification 6 3rd Pool A v3rd Pool B
Finals
Gold = Winner of Semi-Final 1 v Winner of Semi-Final 2
Bronze = Loser of (Semi-Final 1 v Loser of Semi-Final 2
Men's
| Men's Team | State | Home Venue | Year Joined | AHL Championships | Years | AKA or Incorporated Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra Lakers |  ACT |
National Hockey Centre, Canberra | 1991 | 0 | Vision City Canberra Lakers (1993) Canberra Labor Club Lakers (2002-2007) ACT Strikers (2011) | |
| New South Wales Waratahs |  New South Wales |
Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre | 1991 | 3 | 1997 2001 2005 |
Sydney Stingrays (1991-1992) Tamworth Frogs (1991-1993) Sydney Scorpions (1993-1994) NSW Warriors (1995-2000) NSW Panthers (2001-2004) |
| Territory Stingers |  Northern Territory |
Marrara Hockey Centre | 1998 | 0 | Gryphon Territory Stingers (2001) Atlas Territory Stingers (2002) Vodafone Territory Stingers (2003-2005) Northpharm Territory Stingers (2006-2008) NT Stingers (2009, 2011, 2013) Darwin Airport Stingers (2010, 2012) | |
| Queensland Blades |  Queensland |
Queensland State Hockey Centre | 1991 | 9 | 1991 2003 2004 2006 2007 2010 2012 2013 2015 |
Brisbane Blades (1991-1997) North Queensland Barras (1993-2000) |
| SA Hotshots |  South Australia |
State Hockey Centre | 1991 | 0 | Adelaide Hotshots (1991-2007) Southern Hotshots (2008-2014) | |
| Tassie Tigers |  Tasmania |
Tasmanian Hockey Centre | 1992 (DNC 1993) |
1 | 2014 | Tasmania Tigers (2011-2013) MIA Tassie Tigers (2002-2008) |
| Victoria Vikings | .svg.png){kind=small} Victoria |
State Netball and Hockey Centre | 1991 | 3 | 1996 1998 2016 |
Melbourne Redbacks (1991-1992, 1994-2001) VIS Redbacks (1993) Azuma Vikings (2005-2006) |
| WA Thundersticks |  Western Australia |
Perth Hockey Stadium | 1992 | 10 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2000 2002 2008 2009 2011 |
Perth Thundersticks (1992, 1994-2001) WAIS Thundersticks (1993) |
Men's results
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Player of the Tournament | Highest Goalscorer | Player of the Final | Goalkeeper of the Tournament | Play the Whistle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brisbane Blades | Melbourne Redbacks | Colin Batch (Redbacks) | David Shaw (Redbacks) 20 | |||
| 1992 | Perth Thundersticks | Brisbane Blades | Jay Stacy (Redbacks) Todd Williams (Tigers) | ||||
| 1993 | WAIS Thundersticks | Sydney Scorpions | |||||
| 1994 | Perth Thundersticks | ||||||
| 1995 | Perth Thundersticks | Brisbane Blades | Lachlan Elmer (Hotshots) | Bobby Crutchley (Lakers) 17 | |||
| 1996 | Melbourne Redbacks | Brisbane Blades | Jay Stacy (Redbacks) | Jeremy Hiskins (Redbacks) 13 Greg Corbitt (Thundersticks) 13 | |||
| 1997 | NSW Warriors | Perth Thundersticks | Jay Stacy (Redbacks) | Glen Kingston (Lakers) 14 | |||
| 1998 | Melbourne Redbacks | Canberra Lakers | Daniel Sproule (Tigers) | Daniel Davison (Thundersticks) 12 | |||
| 1999 | Perth Thundersticks | Queensland Blades | Michael York (Lakers) | Craig Keegan (Tigers) 15 | |||
| 2000 | Perth Thundersticks | NSW Warriors | Brent Livermore (Warriors) | Craig Keegan (Tigers) 10 | |||
| 2001 | NSW Panthers | Perth Thundersticks | Matthew Wells (Tigers) | Michael McCann (Panthers) | |||
| 2002 | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | Queensland Blades | Zain Wright (Tigers) | Andrew Smith (Vikings) 23 | |||
| 2003 | Queensland Blades | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | Matthew Wells (Tigers) | Andrew Smith (Vikings) 15 | |||
| 2004 | Queensland Blades | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | Stephen Mowlam (Vikings) | Troy Elder (Blades) 9 | Dean Butler (Blades) | ||
| 2005[5] | NSW Waratahs | Queensland Blades | Rob Hammond (Blades) | Taeke Taekema (Waratahs) 14 | Michael McCann (Waratahs) | ||
| 2006[6] | Queensland Blades | MIA Tassie Tigers | Mark Knowles (Blades) | Chris Ciriello (Vikings) 13 | Dean Butler (Blades) | ||
| 2007[7] | Queensland Blades | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | Bevan George (Thundersticks) | Marcus Richardson (Tigers) 12 | Mark Knowles (Blades) | ||
| 2008[8] | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | OAMPS Queensland Blades | Bevan George (Thundersticks) | Luke Doerner (Vikings) 9 | Aaron Hopkins (Thundersticks) | ||
| 2009[9] | SmokeFree WA Thundersticks | OAMPS Queensland Blades | Brent Livermore (Waratahs) | Jason Wilson (Blades) 13 | Graeme Begbie (Thundersticks) | ||
| 2010[10] | OAMPS Queensland Blades | NSW Waratahs | Des Abbott (Stingers) Simon Orchard (Waratahs) |
Josh Miller (Waratahs) 14 | Jason Wilson (Blades) | ||
| 2011[11] | WA Thundersticks | NSW Waratahs | Eddie Ockenden (Tigers) | Eddie Ockenden (Tigers) 11 Wouter Hermkens (Lakers)11 Sam Pike (Thundersticks) 11 |
Sam Pike (Thundersticks) | ||
| 2012[12] | Queensland Blades | WA Thundersticks | Simon Orchard (Waratahs) | Chris Ciriello (Vikings) | Matthew Swann (Blades) | Canberra Lakers | |
| 2013[13] | Queensland Blades | Victoria Vikings | Eddie Ockenden (Tigers) | Aaron Kershaw (Lakers) 5 Mark Paterson (Waratahs) 5 | |||
| 2014[14] | Tassie Tigers | WA Thundersticks | Eddie Ockenden (Tigers) | Blake Govers (Waratahs) 9 | Tristan Clemons (Tigers) | Leon Hayward (Stingers) | Tassie Tigers |
| 2015[15] | Queensland Blades | WA Thundersticks | Eddie Ockenden (Tigers) | Blake Govers (Waratahs) 10 | Cale Cramer (Blades) | Andrew Charter (Lakers) | Tassie Tigers |
| 2016 | Victorian Vikings | WA Thundersticks | Chris Ciriello (Vikings) 10 |
Women's
| Team | State | Home Venue | Year Joined | AHL Championships | Years | AKA or Incorporated Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra Strikers | ACT |
National Hockey Centre | 1991 | ACTAS Strikers (1995-1996) Canberra Labor Club Strikers (2002-2007) ACT Strikers (2011) | ||
| New South Wales Arrows | New South Wales |
Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre | 1991 | 9 | 1993 1996 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2002 2009 2014 |
NSW Balsam Arrows (1993-1995) NSWIS Arrows (2000-2004) |
| Territory Pearls | Northern Territory |
Marrara Hockey Centre | 1993 (DNC 1996-1999) |
Darwin Blazez (1993-1995) Paspaley Territory Pearls (2006-2007) NT Pearls (2008-2009, 2011-2013) Darwin Airport Territory Pearls (2010) | ||
| Queensland Scorchers | Queensland |
Queensland State Hockey Centre | 1991 | 6 | 1992 1997 2005 2013 2015 2016 |
QAS/QLD Scorchers (1995-1997, 2000) |
| SA Suns | South Australia |
State Hockey Centre | 1991 | 2 | 1995 2011 |
Diet Coke Adelaide Suns (1993-1996) Adelaide Suns (1997-1998, 2001-2007) Adelaide Bank Suns (1999-2000) Southern Suns (2008-2014) |
| Tassie Van Demons | Tasmania |
Tasmanian Hockey Centre | 1996 | Tasmanian Van Demons (1996-2000) Wrest Point Van Demons (2001-2003, 2005-2008) Wrest Point Casino Van Demons (2004) | ||
| Victorian Vipers | Victoria |
State Netball and Hockey Centre | 1991 | 2 | 2003 2012 |
VIS Viper (1993-2004) Azuma Vipers (2005-2006) |
| WA Diamonds | Western Australia |
Perth Hockey Stadium | 1991 | 7 | 1991 1994 2004 2006 2007 2008 2010 |
WAIS Diamonds (1993-2002) |
Women's results
See also
References
- ↑ AHL Webpage Archived September 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/News/tenplay-to-show-ahl-2015
- ↑ http://hockey.org.au/News/2016-australian-championships-calendar-announced
- ↑ http://hockey.org.au/News/ahl-teams-announced
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/04_annualreport.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/05_annualreport.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/06_annualreport.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/07_annualreport.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/08_annualreport.pdf
- ↑ https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/404991/2010_Hockey_Australia_Annual_Report.pdf
- ↑ https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/526172/Hockey_Australia_Annual_Report_2010-11.pdf
- ↑ https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/568049/Hockey_Australia_Annual_Report_2012-2013.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/Portals/2/PDFs/Annual%20Reports/2014%20Hockey%20Australia%20annual%20report.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=oogeW7Yg-iY%3D&portalid=2
- ↑ http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/NEWS/ahl-results
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/News/queensland-blades-win-mens-ahl-1
- ↑ http://www.hockeyact.org.au/Portals/24/AHL/2013/Strikers/Day%206%20AHL%20Womens%20Hockey%20Results%20FINALS.pdf
- ↑ http://www.hockey.org.au/News/queensland-win-womens-ahl