• Premier marks the success of WA-Singapore hockey programs

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett has celebrated the success of a program to promote and develop hockey in Singapore, supported by the Western Australian Government.
 
“Western Australia has a proud history as a centre of excellence for hockey, and is the home base of the Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams, both of which are among the most successful hockey teams in the world,” Mr Barnett said.
 
“In 2014, the State Government provided $50,000 to assist Singapore to develop its national and junior hockey teams and umpiring, through coach and player training and the promotion of hockey in schools.
 
“This has helped to raise the profile and standard of hockey within Singapore and has also helped to forge closer cultural ties between WA and Singapore through sport.”

The Premier was joined by Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong and Singapore Hockey Federation President Mathavan Devadas at an event to celebrate the success of the program.

The State Government, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, has also supported Netball WA to hold training camps, school clinics and friendly games in Singapore.

Mr Barnett noted that the State Government and Royal Life Saving - Western Australia had also previously formed a partnership with the Singapore Sports Council to establish the very successful ‘SwimSafer’ water safety program in Singapore.

Royal Life Saving had also joined with local SwimSafer instructors and the WA Trade and Investment Office in 2013 to provide free swimming lessons for underprivileged children in Singapore.
 
“Swimming and survival lessons, along with the provision of lifeguard training and aquatic risk management programs, have helped Singapore tackle the number of drownings and is another example of WA and Singapore working together for mutual benefit,” Mr Barnett said.
 
While in Singapore, the Premier will meet senior government members including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and a number of energy companies.


Fact File

• The Western Australian Government committed $50,000 to the program through its Trade and Investment Office in Singapore
• The Australian men’s hockey team won the World Cup in 2014. The Australian women’s team was runner up in the 2006 and 2014 World Cups. Both teams are based in WA
• The number of Singaporean visitors to WA rose 30% in the year to September 2014, with expenditure of $193 million