Cairns Hockey Association paves the way to recovery from Tropical Cyclone Jasper

The impact of natural disasters on community resources such as sporting fields is often profound, with damaged surfaces making fixtures impossible. 

But with help from the Australian and Queensland Governments in the form of recovery and resilience funding, sporting groups across far north Queensland are paving the way for recovery. 

This has been the inspiring journey of the Cairns Hockey Association (CHA), a vital sport and recreation hub in far north Queensland, following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023. 

Thanks to joint state and commonwealth funding under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) through the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grant (SRRG), CHA has not only rebuilt their damaged pitch but has emerged stronger than ever.

In December 2023, Tropical Cyclone Jasper struck with unrelenting force, shaking far north Queensland to the core and leaving extensive damage in its wake. 

Among the affected infrastructure was Cairns Hockey Association’s Reef Hockey Pitch, which endured floodwaters up to 30 centimetres deep, submerging and displacing the critical underlay of the artificial playing turf. 

This damage rendered the pitch unplayable, disrupting the activities of CHA and jeopardising high-profile competitions and events that were set to take place in the months ahead.

Recognising the importance of CHA as a central pillar of the region’s sporting and social community, the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games (then known as the Department of Tourism and Sport) awarded CHA $250,000 under the SRRG, funded by the DRFA. 

This financial support enabled CHA to undertake the urgent replacement of the Reef Hockey Pitch’s turf and underlay. 

This upgrade was completed just a few months later, with practical completion achieved on 17 October 2024, perfectly timed to align with a busy schedule of local, state, and international events.

The newly upgraded pitch met the highest standards, achieving Federation of International Hockey Category 3 certification. 

This stamp of approval signifies that the facility now meets international requirements, making it an attractive venue for competitions of global scale. 

The Cairns Hockey community and the broader region reaped the benefits almost immediately.

With enthusiasm rebounding across the community and beyond, in 2024-25 CHA hosted a series of prestigious events, including:

• The Under-18 Men's State Championships
• The International Trans-Tasman Challenge
• The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games
• The Masters Women State Championships.

These successful events not only cemented CHA’s reputation as a premier hockey venue but also brought a surge of economic and community benefits to the region, showcasing the role sport plays in disaster recovery and resilience building.

Alongside its elite certification and bustling schedule of events, the new pitch has also become a pioneer in sustainability. 

It now requires one-third less water for its maintenance, significantly reducing operational costs for CHA and promoting environmental sustainability. 

These savings enable the Association to redirect resources into further development of the sport and its local engagement programs.

The story of the Cairns Hockey Association stands as a testament to the importance of disaster recovery funding in helping Queensland communities rebuild with strength and purpose. 

The Sport and Recreation Recovery Grants are part of a broader $13.23 million commitment by the Queensland and Australian Governments through the DRFA to support sporting communities in their recovery efforts from TC Jasper.

By enabling CHA to restore its facilities to better-than-before conditions, DRFA funding has exemplified how recovery grants create positive ripple effects. 

CHA has not only repaired the physical damage caused by Jasper but also restored community spirit, driving economic activity in far north Queensland, and setting the stage for long-term sustainability.

With its world-class facilities, bustling event calendar, and sustainable practices, CHA continues its legacy of fostering sporting excellence and bringing people together.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) celebrates the success of CHA’s recovery and will continue to assist communities through the invaluable support provided by DRFA. 

Together, we can ensure that Queenslanders are better equipped to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of any challenge.