INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY EVENTS SECURED FOR SYDNEY

NSW’s strong links with China will be further strengthened with the announcement Destination NSW has secured a three Test Match series between Australia’s Hockeyroos and China. The series will feature some of the world’s best female hockey players and will take place at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre from 2 to 6 April 2015.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the tournament would boost the State’s profile in China.

“The Chinese team is ranked fifth in the World and the Hockeyroos are ranked second, so it promises to be a highly competitive series that receives considerable attention both here and in China,” Ms Chipchase said.

“China is the State’s largest inbound market for tourism, with more than 443,000 Chinese visitors coming to NSW in the year end September 2014, spending more than $1.5 billion. So we look forward to welcoming more visitors in April and strengthening ties between the two destinations.

Destination NSW is also supporting the 2016 Grand Masters Hockey World Cup, which is set to attract more than 2,000 players to Regional NSW from 30 March to 5 April 2016.

“The Grand Masters Hockey World Cup is set to attract more than 100 hockey teams from around the World to Regional NSW. The event will be contested by men over the age of 60, and will provide a welcome boost to the regional visitor economy,” Ms Chipchase said.