WAGGA hockey talent Dylan Martin is confident taking a leaf out of cricket's Big Bash League book will reap dividends for the sport and ensure it's exposed to a bigger audience.
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Martin, 21, is part of the NSW Pride squad which will begin its inaugural Hockey One campaign against Adelaide Fire at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.
The two-month, home and away tournament replaces the Australian Hockey League, which was played in a carnival format at a single venue over a one-week period.
Martin views the league, plus a campaign with the Australian under-21 team in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia next month, as a platform to continue to press for eventual Kookaburras honours.
All Hockey One matches will be shown on Fox Sports streaming platform Kayo, and Martin said it's the improved visibility the sport's top players deserve.
"It's definitely a new platform for each team to have a franchise, a new and evolved way of getting hockey out there," he said.
"It's going to be televised and hopefully it brings some new interest into the game.
"My personal opinion I think it's definitely a step forward. The fact it's televised is probably the biggest thing but also home and away matches is a big improvement.
"You can play a high level domestic game every week, not over a shorter period where you're playing seven games in a week."
The Pride will be coached by Kookaburras legend Brent Livermore.
"He's probably one of the best coaches in Australia right now, and probably the world," Martin said.
"He's so switched on and passion about the game, and reads it so well.
The defender/midfielder will miss two Pride home games due to his Sultan of Johor Cup commitments next month.
"With Hockey One then Malaysia, if I can put in some strong performance it can only help for (Australia) selections in the future," he said.
"Whether it be next year or the year after that, hopefully it's close."
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