Just 12 teams had entered the competition before its cancellation, which been held every Easter for more than 60 years.

Starting with four teams in 1952, it swelled to host a massive 149 teams in 1989 when the competition was at its peak.

Association president Bert Eastoe said the committee would work with bodies such as Hockey Australia and Hockey Victoria to work on reviving the tournament.

“Clearly we’ve now got a substantial amount of time up our sleeves to evaluate the different formats the competition could take,” he said.

“What we want to be doing with this event is tap into the sports tourism market.

“We want people to come and see the region, as well as participate in a great hockey carnival.

“Getting the word out about it is something we might not have done as well as we could have – that is something we’ll look to improve.” 

In a press release, Hockey Albury-Wodonga said it had sent a survey out to more than 400 contacts, including state associations, clubs and players who had previously taken part in the carnival.

It received 170 responses.

“Most reported that the carnival had been a significant event on their sports calendar between summer and winter,” the release said.

Eastoe said the association would look at widening the appeal of the event in order to secure its future.

“It might be possible to reduce the size of the teams down to eight,” he said.

“We’ll look at the potential of a mixed competition.

“We want to emphasise the social side of it as well.

“The bottom line is that we now have time to get ourselves ready for the carnival to return in 2017.” 

Albury-Wodonga Strikers co-coach Ian Beath said it was a shame the carnival wouldn’t go ahead this year. 

Representative teams such as the Strikers and Spitfires traditionally use it as a measuring stick for the upcoming season.

“It’s sad to have an event like that be cancelled after it’s been run for so many years,” he said.

“It’s always been a good way for the representative teams to blow some cobwebs out and try some new things.

“I don’t see why it can’t become as big as it was back in the day. 

“I think we’ve definitely got the facilities here for it to be successful.” 

Beath said he hoped the hockey community would put forward their best ideas to restore the competition.

“They’ve got a whole year to plan for it now, which is good,” he said.

“A lot of ideas can be brought about by resting it for a year, hopefully it’ll go ahead next year.”