Hockey Ball History


Historical records show that a crude form of hockey was played in Egypt 4,000 years ago, and in Ethiopia around 1,000 BC. Various museums offer evidence that a form of the game was played by Romans and Greeks, and by the Aztec Indians in South America several centuries before Columbus landed in the New World. 

What we know as modern field hockey can be traced back to the mid-1800s in England, where the first men’s hockey club and the first hockey association were founded. The international spread of field hockey’s popularity is mostly due to the British Army, which introduced the sport to British colonies throughout the world. Early hockey games involved the most basic equipment, with willow tree branches used as sticks and a ball made of wood or cork.

Just like the history of the game itself, the hockey balls and equipment have constantly evolved throughout the years.  

Koookaburra's involvement with Hockey.

As the largest manufacturer of hockey balls worldwide, Kookaburra head the field from all aspects, including technological development, design and quality.

Kookaburra’s relationship with Hockey dates as far back as the 1950’s.  Our hockey balls have been exclusively used in every Olympic Games since 1956.

In 1982 Kookaburra was asked by Hockey Australia to develop a hockey ball suitable for hockey to be played on artificial grass. The leather ball that had been used to that point was considered unsuitable because it absorbed water into the cover and swelled badly. 

Kookaburra invented a Dimple (plastic covered) hockey ball.  The unique Dimple configuration is a patented technological design.

The Kookaburra Dimple Elite is the only hockey ball fully approved by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for international competition and has been used in virtually all international tournaments since 1984.

Kookaburra developed the Dimple Elite yellow ball for use at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Kookaburra hockey balls are used all over the world and we are also the official supplier of hockey balls to Hockey Australia and travel equipment to the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.