Hockey Australia Launches ‘Chat With The Chair Series’ to Reconnect with Alumni

Hockey Australia has unveiled a new engagement initiative titled the “Chat With The Chair Series,” designed to foster stronger ties between the governing body and the former international players who shaped the legacy of the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos.

This twice-yearly online forum invites alumni to gain direct visibility into the organisation’s operations, strategic priorities, and long-term vision, which now extends from the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games through to 2035.

The series is intended to be more than a reporting mechanism; it serves as a platform for genuine dialogue regarding the future of Australian hockey. Hockey Australia aims to harness alumni expertise to fuel both short-term performance improvements and sustained podium success.

Commenting on the initiative, Hockey Australia president, also a former Hockeyroo, Sally Carbon, said: “Hockey Australia’s alumni have created the now well-known and admired Kookaburras and Hockeyroos name, therefore the alumni’s experience and insight remain incredibly valuable to our sport.”

“The Board of Hockey Australia would be grateful to hear more and be challenged further by our alumni through this insightful initiative – all in the name of short term improvement and then longer-term success to Brisbane in 2032 on the podium,” she said.

The launch of this series follows the confirmation of ongoing Federal Government support through the “Win Well” and “Play Well” funding programs. These investments are important to Hockey Australia’s ambition of consistently securing a position among the world’s top three hockey nations.

During the inaugural session, alumni will receive briefings on key high-performance pillars, including the expansion of national squads, athlete depth tracking, the Hockey Australia Talent Accelerator 2032, and the transition toward an integrated, Australia-wide Centre of Excellence model.

Each one-hour session is structured to ensure a balance of information sharing and collaborative discussion. The format includes a 15-minute overview of Kookaburras, Hockeyroos, and pathway insights, followed by 15 minutes dedicated to major strategic deliverables. The remaining 20 minutes are reserved for a Q&A segment and perspective sharing, allowing alumni to directly engage with the Board and offer feedback on the sport’s evolution.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.