AN international hockey series set down for Cairns is in limbo with concerns unsatisfactory travel arrangements for players could result in matches being transferred.

The three Test series from June 23-25 between men’s teams from Australia and New Zealand was announced yesterday morning by Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch as a sports tourism coup for the region.

Several hours later, the hosting rights were off the table.

Hockey Australia said no destination had been locked in for the Trans-Tasman contest, but it is believed Cairns was put on hold because Kookaburras officials were not happy with the proposed travel
arrangements.

As negotiations continued last night, Cairns Hockey general manager Murray Bain hoped the Kookaburras could come to an
agreement.

"Hosting something like that is obviously huge because it engages the local hockey community and generates sports tourism," he said.

"But it also helps give momentum to the idea of expanding that North Cairns sporting precinct and, in particular, the development of our new artificial surface."

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