Which state or territory can I represent, and how do import players work?

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Accepted Answer

Residency: to compete in a Masters National Championships you must be considered a resident of the state or territory you want to represent. If you play for more than one association across borders, your primary registration takes precedence. You are a resident if either: you live, are employed or have retired in that state or territory for a continuous period of more than three months in the previous 24 months before the tournament, or the association you play in is affiliated with that state or territory (for example, living in Tweed Heads NSW but playing in the Gold Coast association, which is affiliated with Hockey Queensland). Exception: a player whose last three consecutive appearances at HAMC Masters National Championships were for a state or territory other than the one they live in may keep representing it, and counts as a local player. Exemptions: a player with a historical connection to a member association can apply to HAMC for an exemption, for example through long-term (over 10 years) participation in that association's competition, or the state for their last three consecutive appearances. Up to two international players are permitted in a team if they meet all other requirements. Import players: a member association may import players it did not select from another association's pick-up roster. Associations arrange this between themselves, not through the player. An imported player pays the levies of the association they join and the transfer is valid for one Championships only. The home association can recall the player up to 14 days (or another period set by HAMC) before the Championships start. Team name: a team can use a state or territory name only if more than 50 percent of its players are local players of that state or territory. Source: Hockey Australia Tournament Regulations, Masters Championships 2026 (sections 4.2 and Appendix 8), https://cdn.sanity.io/files/a5i57b7j/production/fc7698484262da8869940ecbd55575c2becb7c23.pdf