The association and clubs had been involved in a year-long process of comparing the elite player pathways, cost and player, coach and umpire development of Hockey Victoria, Hockey NSW and Hockey ACT before going to a vote.

Two-thirds had to vote in favour for the motion to pass and that mark was comfortably exceeded at a special general meeting this week.

"This is a monumental decision and one where no-one in the Hockey Albury-Wodonga community can be complacent about what this opportunity offers," association president Bert Eastoe said.

"All sports have challenges in the attraction and retention of players.

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"It is a responsibility of hockey to maintain viability, with growth in participants as well as ensuring our role in the development of good citizenship while playing hockey is recognised and relevant in a post-COVID era.

"The board looks forward to building on what has been achieved in the sport locally since the 1950s."

Hockey Albury-Wodonga played in a Melbourne-based home-and-away competition for 25 years until 2013, when it was decided the time and expense required to send two men's and two women's teams to play in the Victorian capital was unfeasible.

The association remained affiliated to Hockey Victoria but Albury-Wodonga Spitfires have played in the ACT's Capital League since 2014.

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