Hockey to host ‘Annie’s round’
Hockey players across Victoria and South Australia will don headwear when they take to the fields this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Wimmera identity Annie Anderson, late last year.
In an initiative supported by Hockey Victoria to celebrate Annie’s contribution to the hockey community across the state, players will be encouraged to wear a bandana, a staple part of Annie’s playing uniform, or a headband while playing.
Wimmera Hockey Association will hold a brief ceremony before its first senior matches at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre on Saturday, that will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
Unique bandanas have been designed for the occasion, with the proceeds from their sale to go towards creating an award in Annie’s memory.
Annie had been involved with the Horsham Hockey Club as a player and coach during the past 30 years, but her influence in the sport went well beyond this.
Well known by hockey enthusiasts through her business ‘Hooked on Hockey’, Annie would travel thousands of kilometres each year across western Victoria and the south east of
South Australia, supplying equipment and specialist advice, often making long trips from her home in Horsham to personally deliver items so a player had their new stick or pair of boots for their next match.
Annie also worked with both Hockey Victoria and Hockey South Australia in various elite coaching roles, most recently in Hockey Victoria’s goal keeper development.
Annie was popular with young players, devoting considerable energy and support to emerging goalkeepers in Victoria.
She was also a keen supporter and coach of masters hockey, being an enthusiastic member of the Vic Gold masters team, which she had coached to a title at a tournament in Queensland only weeks before her passing.
Open
In open competition on Saturday, the big game in round six will see undefeated Yanac Tigers take on Warrack Hoops, fresh off the bye. These teams always put on an entertaining show, and although the Tigers have had the better of their meetings during recent years, this will still be a big game.
The Tigers are looking to consolidate their place at the top of the ladder which they claimed last round, while the Hoops will be looking to assert their presence and stake a claim for a place in the top two.
The Horsham Hurricanes had a big start to their season with a run of three straight wins, which was broken by the Tigers last week.
The Hurricanes will want to put that behind them when they take on Nhill Rangers.
Although the Rangers have yet to open their account for 2023, the team has shown patches of good play, which could be dangerous to the Hurricanes if not taken seriously.
Women
The big game in the women’s competition could see one of the Horsham Jets or Nhill Thunderbirds draw ahead of the pack fighting for the lower two
places in the top four. Both had losses in round five, as they played a top-two team, but are evenly matched and this should be an entertaining game that could go either way.
Recent form suggests Warracknabeal will have its work cut out for it when it takes on Yanac, who enjoyed a solid win against the Jets last week, but it is a good opportunity for them to play with freedom and without expectation.
Under-16
Current ladder positions suggest predictable results in the two under-16 matches, with Horsham Bombers looking to extend their undefeated run this season when they play fourthplaced Nhill Leopards, and Yanac Warriors appear to have too many options across the field for Warrack Revengers to counter.
Results – Open: Kaniva Cobras 3 (Goals, J. Bedford, A. Wallis, C. Beattie; Best, A. Wallis, C. Beattie, J. Bedford, N. Krelle) d Nhill Rangers 0 (D. Reichelt, H. Pearse, F. Albrecht, J. Clark). Yanac Tigers 6 (R. Croot 2, B. Alexander 2, S. Alexander, J. Cramer; B. Alexander, R. Croot, J. Cramer) d Horsham Hurricanes 1 (T. Batchelor; P. Mackereth, J. Horsfall, L. Simmons). Women: Kaniva Women 3 (J. Hauselberger, Q. Pearse, H. White; Q. Pearse, H. Pearse, L. Stimson) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (N. Kuhnell, E. Wallace, K. Clark). Yanac Women 3 (E. Alexander 2, N. Harding; E. Alexander, M. Mackley, C. Zanker) d Horsham Jets 0 (R. Horsfall, R. Dougan, R. Creek). Under 16: Kaniva Raiders 4 (C. White 2, F. Dodson, J. Beattie; C. White, F. Dodson, L. Krelle, L. Williams) d Nhill Leopards 2 (D. Clark, C. Bone; D. Clark, O. Bone, T. Shue Bee, B. Clark). Horsham Bombers 3 (T. Batchelor 2, J. Mills; T. Batchelor, H. Knoop, H. Mackereth) d Yanac Warriors 1 (Asher Zanker; S. Pedie, C. Zanker, Annabella Zanker). Under 12 development program: Dimboola Kookaburras 1 (E. Ward) v Horsham Black Hawks 1 (H. Mitchell). Nhill Bandits 1 (B. Clark) v Yanac Lowan Stars 2 (H. Zanker, M. Zanker; Encouragement award, E. Alexander). Warracknabeal Avengers 0 v Kaniva Rampagers 8 (C. Bedford 2, R. Williams 2, J. Beattie 2, R. Doyle, L Williams; Encouragement award, R. Doyle).