The time-honoured Hockey Victoria Junior State Championship are heading for the 3630 next year, with the McEwen Reserve facilities to host all the boys action from the bonanza tournament.
It is the first time the tournament will be played in the region, with Bendigo to host the girls play.
The event, which will run from Thursday, July 2 until Sunday, July 5, has always been played at Parkville's State Netball and Hockey Centre, but its redevelopment made hosting the major tournament there impossible.
But hosting hockey extravaganzas is nothing new to Shepparton; the town hosted the blue chip event Australian Country Championships just last month with hundreds flocking for that, as well as playing host to a Hockey Victoria Premier League match between Essendon and Altona in July.
While the right to host the event appears a challenge, it is unlikely to trouble the brilliant facilities on offer and is more than likely to attract a big turnout from the Goulburn Valley's hockey faithful.
“It is a great accomplishment that the $21 million redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports City precinct, which included substantial upgrades at the Regional Hockey Complex, has enabled us to host amazing events such as this to bring so many people from around Victoria to play hockey in Greater Shepparton,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keefe said.
“These events strengthen our reputation as the leading sporting and events capital of regional Australia and keep our local economy strong and businesses thriving.
“We look forward to partnering with Hockey Victoria and the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association to deliver a first class event for all our visitors.”