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International hockey acclaim

The Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association is set to host an annual international clash featuring the Hockeyroos following an historic weekend for the local game.

Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale confirmed the arrangement at Saturday’s second leg of the Hockeyroos’ two-Test local series against Japan.

In a ground-breaking evening at the EGHA, local company Ausdrill also extended its major sponsorship of the national women’s team and head coach Adam Commens agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Since his appointment in January, 2011, Commens has lifted the Hockeyroos from seventh to fourth in the world rankings.

Melbourne-based Vale, in his first visit to the Goldfields, lauded the EGHA’s ability to host a topnotch official Test program highlighted by a pair of decisive victories for the Hockeyroos, 6-1 and 3-1.

“The first component of this (Kalgoorlie-Boulder hosting annual international hockey) was securing the ongoing partnership with Ausdrill and full credit to them because they have driven these two matches as much as anyone,” Vale said.

Terry O’Connor and Brian Mann from Ausdrill, Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale, Ausdrill’s Ron Sayers and Member for Mining and Pastoral Dave Grills at Saturday night’s Test match at the Lionel Street stadium. Picture: Louise White