La Trobe is the major sponsor of the Melbourne Cobras, a new Victorian hockey team that will join the national hockey league in October this year.
The Cobras will be the first hockey team in the world to enable a targeted number of players of Indian origin as part of the 25-player squad. The Cobras lineup will consist of current, former and emerging international Indian hockey stars of both genders.
Hockey has a long and successful history in India, with the country having won eight Olympic medals in the sport, including six golds. The Indian National Hockey Team was the first non-European team to be a part of the International Hockey Federation.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the University had a strong relationship with India through education and research, and this new partnership would further strengthen those ties.
“This innovative model connecting the Indian community in Australia and India through hockey will not only enable La Trobe to support Melbourne’s Indian community and their love of hockey, but provide education and research opportunities to our students and academics,” Professor Farrell said.
“I am delighted that La Trobe is partnering with Hockey Victoria to support the launch of the Melbourne Cobras in 2026.”
La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor Health Innovation and Dean of the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Professor Russell Hoye, said the University had one of Australia’s top sport and exercise science courses so partnering with Hockey Victoria was an ideal collaboration.
Professor Hoye said the partnership would provide many opportunities for La Trobe students to gain valuable real-world experience with professional athletes.
This includes 10 internships and work-integrated learning placements for undergraduate students each year in areas such as sport management, sport exercise science and sport media.
Up to four Honours or Masters students will be able to undertake projects with Hockey Victoria, and La Trobe will provide data analytics services through students enrolled in the Master of Sports Analytics.
In addition, senior Hockey Victoria staff will share their vast experience with La Trobe students through special guest lectures throughout the year.
“This partnership provides significant opportunities for La Trobe and Hockey Victoria, and we’re excited to support the Melbourne Cobras as they develop over the coming years,” Professor Hoye said.
Hockey Victoria CEO Andrew Skillern said: “The partnership with La Trobe University provides an outstanding platform for long-term collaboration between India and Australia as it relates to hockey, sport and education.
"This partnership is founded on a shared commitment to community engagement, athletic excellence and growth across Victoria. We look forward to a long and successful relationship as we embark on this exciting journey with La Trobe University. “
La Trobe also has a special connection to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who played an Indian hockey coach in one of his most famous movies. Chak De! India was partly filmed at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus. The University also offers the Shah Rukh Khan PhD Scholarship, which funds a full-fee research scholarship for four years to a female Indian citizen.
Learn more about the partnership in this great video.
