Hockey Australia has strengthened its reputation as a leader and innovator both on and off the pitch, with plans to establish a unique community and development hockey academy in India.
With sport continuing to be a key vehicle in strengthening Australian and India relations, Hockey Australia has signed a Statement of Intention to develop a new world class hockey academy as part of the construction of Lavasa - one of India's first planned hill cities.
Planned for a permanent population of around 300,000 residents and a tourist inflow estimated at 2 million per annum, Lavasa is envisioned to be a more liveable city of the future where residents can live, work, learn and play in harmony with nature. Lavasa will incorporate several pioneering residential and commercial initiatives, a varied collection of hotels and resorts, as well as numerous centres of education and sporting excellence, including this hockey academy.
Lavasa has already tied up with golfing great Sir Nick Faldo to launch a golf academy and a golf course and with Manchester City Football Club to start a world class football academy. These projects are scheduled to be completed by 2012.
As part of the agreement Hockey Australia will provide consultancy services in all aspects of the development of the hockey academy. This will include assisting in the design of the academy, the introduction of world class hockey coaches to run the academy and providing intellectual property of various Hockey Australia programs, including its junior development program - Hook in2 Hockey. Coaches will work in partnership with Indian staff to ensure that the academy becomes sustainable over the long term.
The aim of the academy is to provide Lavasa with world class facilities and hockey programs. Hockey Australia's involvement in the project became possible due to an introduction by Austrade.
Hockey Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said Hockey Australia's involvement in the development of the hockey academy in Lavasa demonstrates Australia's standing as a world leader in hockey.
ÔÇ£Hockey Australia has long been recognised as an innovator and leader on the hockey pitch with the success of our national teams. Our involvement in this project demonstrates our standing as an innovator off the pitch as we partner with Lavasa Corporation Limited to develop this world class program,ÔÇØ said Anderson.
ÔÇ£This is an extremely exciting partnership and project. The positioning of Hockey Australia alongside sporting greats, Manchester City and Nick Faldo, demonstrates how highly Hockey Australia and its people are perceived within an international setting,ÔÇØ Anderson said.
ÔÇ£We look forward to forging a long term relationship with Lavasa to assist in developing hockey as a vibrant and growing sport within India and Australian communities,ÔÇØ said Anderson.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Rajgopal Nogja, President, Lavasa Corporation, said, ÔÇ£We are committed to developing Lavasa as India's most modern city with infrastructure facilities that will appeal to prospective residents and tourists. The setting up of a world class academy with Hockey Australia, is in keeping with our endeavor of forging best in class global tie ups to promote Lavasa. The academy will surely facilitate the development and growth of hockey - India's national sportÔÇØ
Source: Hockey Australia
