A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will commit $500,000 to help Hockey Victoria establish the Melbourne Cobras—Australia’s first Indian-focused professional hockey franchise.
The announcement, made by Tim Watts, Federal Member for Gellibrand, and Rob Mitchell, Federal Member for McEwen, outlines plans for a new team based in Cloverton in Melbourne’s north. The Cobras will field both women’s and men’s squads, bringing together Australian and Indian players in a shared high-performance environment.
The teams will be positioned not just as local representatives but as international-standard competitors, with matches expected to be broadcast both within Australia and overseas. This move comes amid increasing emphasis on sports diplomacy as a means to build and strengthen ties—particularly with India.
“This is part of our broader strategy of engaging with the world through all sources of national power,” Watts said. “In the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, sport offers a unique and unifying platform. The Cobras will contribute to the kind of people-to-people relationships that define our strongest partnerships.”
Watts also pointed to the decade ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as an opportunity to elevate Australia’s soft power in the region. “We are using sport as a bridge, not just between leagues, but between communities,” he said.
Mitchell, whose electorate of McEwen includes the Cobras’ proposed home base, framed the announcement as part of a deeper investment in multicultural infrastructure. “Labor is backing this initiative because it brings communities together. It’s not just about elite competition—it’s about the grassroots energy of a shared passion for hockey.”
He added, “It will also deliver tangible benefits to McEwen—jobs, economic activity, and local pride in hosting world-class teams.”
Andrew Skillern, CEO of Hockey Victoria, welcomed the move. “The support from the Albanese Government brings us a step closer to realising a long-held vision,” he said. “The Melbourne Cobras will be a symbol of aspiration for the Indian diaspora in the north-west of Melbourne and regional Victoria. We see this team as more than just a fixture in the league—it will be part of a broader narrative about belonging, excellence, and opportunity.”
The franchise is expected to draw strong backing from Victoria’s Indian-Australian community, one of the fastest-growing and sport-loving communities in the country. By offering a direct platform for Indian representation at an elite level within an Australian structure, the Cobras signal a shift in how sporting codes engage multicultural audiences—not just as spectators but as stakeholders.
The project aligns with the Government’s broader multicultural strategy. While the announcement comes during the election campaign, both Watts and Mitchell confirmed that the grant would follow Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, ensuring transparency and due process.
The Cobras initiative also reflects the continuing evolution of how sports are used in diplomacy, community building, and regional ties—where cricket once stood alone, hockey now joins the pitch.
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