Some of the key principles driving Hockey SA’s strategic plan are to innovate and collaborate with our community. Furthermore, one of the key drivers of our Strategic Plan is to refresh and invigorate the Metropolitan Competition. This driver empowered Hockey SA to conduct an extensive consultation period, combining feedback from club presidents, players, and volunteers; to design the newly created competition format we are implementing in 2024.

Additionally, Hockey SA conducted exhaustive analysis of the past five seasons of match data. This identified a trend that teams were becoming less competitive due to lack a perceived incentives, after being ineligible for finals. Combining feedback and data analysis, the fixture change was created.

The new competition format was developed with a desire to increase the overall motivation and competitiveness of the competition, by creating opportunities for all teams to participate for a finals position for longer, during the season.

The decision to re-develop the competition framework was motivated by Hockey SA's Strategic Plan to refresh the Metropolitan Competition, in conjunction with feedback received from club executives, coaches, officials, players and extensive competition data research. Thus began the long process of designing a competition to reflect the goals and desires of all parties.

The new competition structure was created in consultation with club delegates, before being unanimously approved by the Hockey SA Board, on Tuesday 6th February 2024. 

Yes, one of the core goals of the Hockey SA Strategic Plan is to refresh the Metropolitan Competition. This was a key driver in the decision to revamp the competition format, and it is strongly expected that results will fulfill this goal.

This is not a trial. The new approach to our competition was designed to improve upon the old, and will strengthen and grow in the coming years. 

Clubs and players partaking in season 2023 would have become accustomed to the regular season Hockey has been playing, consisting of 19 - 21 rounds and a 3 week finals campaign. Whilst this format had proven to be a staple, the community resoundingly provided feedback that a change was necessary. 
 
In 2024 HSA have heard the community, altering the format of the competition this season comprising of four phases.

1. Preseason Competition – All participating teams will play a minimum of 6 half-length games which include play-ins and progressing teams will participate in the Pre-Season Finals Series. The Competition will span over four weeks commencing on the 27th of February and concluding on the 21st of March. 
2. Main Season – The main season will consist of 14 games with everyone playing eachother twice, both home and away. 
3. Play-In Series – Every team will participate in the play-in series which will take place over a 4-week period, and consist of 2 x 2-game series. Each series will span over two weeks, with each team playing a home and away game against the same opponent. Two teams will be eliminated during this phase.
4. Finals Series – The remaining 6 teams will play a finals series over 4 weeks. All Finals will be played at Mate Stadium.

Hockey SA wants to ensure each participant thoroughly enjoys their hockey experience, by not compromising the ‘games played’.

A minimum of 21 full-length equivalent games will be played by each team, with finals, providing additional games for qualifying teams.

• 3 x full equivalent games, comprised of 6 x half games, over 4 weeks
• 14 x full regular season games, over 14 weeks
• 4 x full games in the Play-ins, over 4 weeks
• Up to 4 x additional full Finals games, over 4 weeks

These changes will only be actioned in Metro 1 and Premier League competitions, for both Men and Women in 2024 and beyond. 

As it currently stands, there are no plans to roll the new competition out to Metro 2 and below. However, this is something that may be looked at in years to come.

The pre-season competition is separate from the regular season, meaning that there will be a separate trophy and medals for clubs to compete for.

As the community becomes more accustomed to pre-season competition, Hockey SA hopes to include additional teams and divisions, to assist clubs and players in preparation for season and see this as a tremendous opportunity to grow deeper connections within hockey. 

No, it does not mean it is a shorter season as pre-season, post season and finals are taken into consideration.

The start and finish dates are therefore the same as previous seasons. However, we are ensuring that players experiences are more relevant for the different phases of the hockey season. 

Hockey SA is aiming to provide players the possibility of developing their match awareness under pressure, subsequently inspiring players, coaches and officials to challenge themselves, whilst immersed in highly competitive matches towards the latter part of the season. Matches they may not have been able to experience under the old Metro Competition model. These two Play-In rounds are a best-of-two series (home and away), which will be played across 2 weekends each, with the opportunity to play-in for a final spots.

After the second round of the Play-Ins, the loser of Play-Ins #5 and #6 (please refer to diagram above) will be eliminated, leaving the top 6 remaining teams to continue their campaign through the finals series.

If results are tied up after the 2 weeks of play-ins (eg: 1 draw each or 1 win each), the victor will be determined based on the following factors in this order - 

• Total Goal Difference
• Away Goal Difference
• Ladder Position at the end of the regular season

The main season determines the ladder position of every team, and higher placed teams will have an easier fixture come play-ins, to give them a greater chance of qualification.

Whilst everyone has a chance to play in finals, winning more games during the main season will ensure a higher ladder position, and therefore a preferable run through finals. 

All finals will be played at Mate Stadium. However, the Play-In Series will see clubs get the opportunity to host games at their home venues, providing a finals-like atmosphere and spectacle for members to enjoy.

Absolutely! The new competition has been designed to allow all teams a chance at making finals even at the conclusion of the main season. Despite how difficult this may be.

Clubs are guaranteed to have 9 home games a season, although in the past, clubs have had between 9 – 11 home games. This number will remain consistent rather than fixture dependent, such as in previous years, allowing clubs to better plan events and club days. 

Relegation and promotion will stay as outlined in the competition rules. Competition rules can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Player eligibility will remain as outlined in the competition rules, with the utilisation of the double-up rule and players needing to play 33% of matches in the regular season, to qualify for finals.

Player eligibility will remain as outlined in the competition rules.

If you have played 33% of games in M1 or lower, you would be eligible to play finals in M1 and PL.

Competition rules can be FOUND HERE.

The extensive survey responses from the players outlined that midweek games were less than desirable. Therefore, along with the fixturing change, Hockey SA has ensured the only midweek games, except for reschedules, will be on the Thursday and Friday evenings leading into the June long weekend.

All match times are at the discretion of Hockey SA if they are deemed to be required for adjustment to better suit competition needs. 

Final fixtures are due for release early March. We are currently awaiting feedback from clubs. 

Hockey SA is coordinating forums for each of the Metro 1 and Premier League Clubs who wish to host a session, to provide an update on the changes.

If your clubs feel the need for a forum, they can work with Hockey SA on dates to ensure all players, officials and coaches can disseminate through their clubs members for the proposed dates.