Melbourne Cobras awarded Hockey One licence The Hockey One League has officially granted the Melbourne Cobras a licence to compete in the national competition starting with the 2026 season. The club will field both men’s and women’s teams, marking the conclusion of Hockey One’s formal Expansion Project. The initiative began in February 2024 with an Invitation for Expressions of Interest, which generated significant interest aligned with the league’s long-term growth goals. This phase laid the groundwork for identifying new franchises and expanding the league’s reach in a sustainable and high-performance manner. The Melbourne Cobras’ entry is tied to its strong connection with India and the Indian diaspora in Australia, aiming to bolster Victoria’s elite hockey development. This move follows recent efforts to establish a second Victorian Hockey One team, with the Cobras initiative contributing to broader growth objectives for hockey in the state. The club’s brand emphasizes community engagement and opportunities between India and Australia, with ambitions to create a shared high-performance environment involving players from both nations. Sash Herceg, Hockey One’s Executive Manager, highlighted the significance of the licence award, noting the bid’s combination of high-performance intent, commercial potential, and community ties. “The Melbourne Cobras proposal demonstrated a compelling mix of these elements, and awarding this licence is a major milestone for Hockey One,” Herceg said. “It completes the expansion process initiated in February 2024 and underscores our commitment to growing the league strategically and sustainably.” Hockey One Board Chair Steven Stewart emphasized the decision’s alignment with the league’s vision to expand participation, audiences, and elite opportunities nationwide.#hockey_victoria #melbourne_cobras #hockey_one #sash_herceg #steven_stewart
