Australia (men) – the Kookaburras (ranked #2 in the world) 
Reigning World Champions, Olympic bronze medal holders, Commonwealth Games gold medalists and winners of the Champions Trophy for the past five years, the Kookaburras have been one of the top teams on the world stage for decades. The Hockey 9s format suits their lightning quick, clinically attacking style. Look out for the likes of five times World Player of the Jamie Dwyer, former World Juinor Player of the Year Eddie Ockenden, Chris Ciriello and home-grown WA talent Fergus Kavanagh.

Argentina (men) - (ranked #10 in the world)
Joining their illustrious female counterparts at the International Super Series Hockey 9s, Argentina's men's team are definitely a team to watch. Ranked tenth in the world they finished as runners-up to Olympic champions Germany at July's World League Semi-Final tournament in Malaysia. Gold medallists at the 2011 Pan American Games, Argentina also took gold at the 2012 Champions Challenge following at tenth place finish at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Coached by former player Carlos Retegui, who was at the helm of the women's team for its World Cup success in 2010, Champions Trophy gold in 2009 and 2010 and Olympic silver at London 2012.

Pakistan (men) - the Green Shirts (ranked #8 in the world)
Returning for their third edition of the tournament, Pakistan enjoyed their previous visit to Australia at the end of 2012. After competing in the Hockey 9s, they took home the bronze medal at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne, beating fierce rivals India. More recently, finish seventh at the FIH World League tournament in Malaysia. With more than 230 appearances for Pakistan, Shakeel Abbasi is one of their stars. The Commonwealth Games silver medal winner was named Player of the Tournament at the 2012 Champions Trophy. 

Malaysia (men) - (ranked #13 in the world)
Malaysia men make their Hockey 9s debut this year, following in the footsteps of their female counterparts. In July, the Malaysian men finished fifth at the FIH World League in their home country, narrowly missing out on the opportunity to contest the medal matches by a single point. They were the Asian Games silver medalists in 2010, losing out to Hockey 9s opponents Pakistan 2-0 in the final. It will be interesting to see whether penalty corner danger man Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim can transfer his 11-a-side form into the revised 9-a-side format; Abd Rahim scored six penalty corners at June's World League in Johor Bahru.

Australia (women) – the Hockeyroos (ranked #6 in the world)
Winners of the World League round three competition in London and Commonwealth Games gold medal holders, the Hockeyroos are once again becoming a force to reckon with on the global stage. With a side bursting with young talent like Anna Flanagan, Georgia Nanscawen and Emily Smith, well marshalled by the experience of the likes of Madonna Blyth, Casey Eastham, Teneal Attard and WA's own Ashleigh Nelson, Australia's women are an exciting and potent combination of youth and experience. 

Argentina (women) – Las Leonas (‘The Lionesses’) (ranked #2 in the world)
The reigning women’s world champions, Argentina are one of the top women’s sports teams anywhere in the world, in any sport! Silver medalists from the 2012 Olympic Games and winners of last year’s Champions Trophy tournament. Star players include seven times World Player of the Year Luciana Aymar, penalty corner danger woman Noel Barrionuevo and young gun Daniela Sruoga.

Malaysia (women) (ranked #22 in the world)
The Malaysian women return to Australia for 2013 on the back of two previous outings at the International Super Series Hockey 9s. Earlier this year, Malaysia finished third behind India and Japan at the World League round two competition in India.

Canada (women) (ranked #23 in the world)
Canada’s women’s team are set to experience the hockey 9s format for the very first time this October. Coached by Australian Ian Rutledge, Canada will arrive in Perth on the back of September’s Pan American Cup in Argentina, where they will come up against International Super Series contenders Argentina.