Recruiting drive starts
HOCKEY Geelong has begun a strong recruiting drive after its promotion to the Victorian Premier League was confirmed last week.
The Vic League 1 premier will now have a guaranteed two seasons to establish itself in the upper echelon of state hockey, with both firsts and reserves to compete in the top divisions.
Geelong will look to add a third state level women’s team to the mix to ensure development and transition from its strong junior ranks, as well as opening the door to attract more local and Western District players.
It will also target Melbourne areas, becoming a particularly attractive option for former locals forced to join metropolitan clubs to further their hockey.
“That’s the beauty of it. We’ve got the potential to become a destination club rather than a feeder club. We can attract people coming down the highway rather than the other way,’’ Hockey Geelong president Alan Climpson said.
“You become more attractive to players from other areas, particularly the Western District . . . the Ballarats and Warrnambools.
“People will want to come to Geelong because of the Premier League status now and even Werribee, Altona and Footscray can become a recruiting area.’’
Coach Shane Walters, who has steered the transformation of the women’s squad over the past two seasons, will continue in the role.
An early start to the season and a huge leap in training and tactics saw the women’s team jump from sixth in 2016 to become a dominant force this year.
On the downside, Geelong will lose captain Courtney Pearson and star defender Tat Rouch, who have completed university studies.
Pearson, originally from Tasmania, is an Australian Country squad member and high-level umpire, and will be sorely missed after five years in Geelong.
Meanwhile, fellow Tasmania Eliza Flanagan, a former Australia Hockey League representative, capped a brilliant first year with Geelong by winning the Vic League 1 best and fairest on Friday night.
Flanagan (197 votes) won from Emma Hatton (155) and Morgan Gould (138).
The men’s award was dominated by Greg Hutchison (262), ahead of Mark Jackson (176) and Ben Champion (156).
The men’s Vic League 1 squad is searching for a new coach after Dan Taylor opted not to reapply due to family commitments.
Taylor guided the men to their pre-season goal of a topsix finish, which Climpson said would prove a launching pad to push for finals next season.