Polytan, the global leader in hockey pitch surfacing and installation, has been announced as a major founding partner of the Melbourne Cobras, Hockey Victoria’s newest franchise set to join the Hockey One League in the upcoming 2026 season with both men’s and women’s teams.
The Cobras become the eighth team in Hockey One, completing the League’s expansion project and marking an exciting new chapter for hockey in Victoria. The franchise will focus on growing the sport across Melbourne’s north-west corridor and regional Victoria, while also strengthening connections with the state’s rapidly growing South Asian community.
The Cobras’ 25-player squad will feature a blend of homegrown talent and current and former stars of Indian hockey, creating a strong high-performance pathway for local athletes while inspiring the next generation of players and fans.
Andrew Skillern, CEO of Hockey Victoria, welcomed the partnership.
“Hockey Victoria is delighted to have Polytan as a team partner of the Melbourne Cobras. To partner with a likeminded business with such a global footprint aligns well with our range of partners with similar aspirations,” Skillern said.
“Through their Poligras brand, we look forward to working with Polytan to expand their work in Victoria, Australia and in India through this partnership.”
For Polytan, the partnership reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting hockey in Victoria and across Australia – from grassroots participation through to elite international competition.
Polytan has been closely involved in the Victorian hockey community for almost seven years, including as a founding partner of Hockey Club Melbourne since 2019 and an extended partner of Hockey Victoria. Supporting the Melbourne Cobras from day one continues that commitment to growing the game locally.
Globally, Polytan is recognised as the preferred supplier to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), with its renowned Poligras® surfaces selected for nine Olympic Games, including the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics. The company has delivered many of the world’s most prominent hockey venues.
In India, Polytan has installed numerous elite hockey fields including Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which hosted the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. These projects highlight Polytan’s role in supporting the growth of hockey globally while strengthening the connection between Australia and India through the sport.
Paul Kamphuis, General Manager of Polytan Asia Pacific, said the partnership reflects Polytan’s commitment to the development of hockey both locally and internationally.
“Hockey holds a special place in both Australian and Indian sporting culture, and partnerships like this help strengthen the connection between two nations that share a deep passion for the game,” Kamphuis said.
“Supporting the Melbourne Cobras from the outset allows us to contribute to the growth of hockey in Victoria – from grassroots participation through to the elite level – while helping inspire the next generation of players.”
The introduction of the Melbourne Cobras will also create an exciting Melbourne derby, adding another compelling chapter to Victoria’s hockey story and strengthening the profile of the Hockey One League nationally.
All Hockey One matches are broadcast live and free on 7plus, with international coverage available via Hockey One’s Global Pass, reaching audiences across Asia, Africa, the USA and the Middle East.
