Junior hockey returns

The local hockey community is abuzz following a much-anticipated announcement that junior competitions will commence at the Bellbird Park synthetic sports field in Drouin on Saturday 18 July.

Mixed Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18 competitions will run for nine-rounds throughout Term 3, culminating in finals on the first Saturday of the September school holidays. The highly successful Hookin2Hockey program for younger players and beginners will also resume on 18 July and operate on Saturday mornings and Monday nights.

An excited president of the West Gippsland Hockey Association, Steph Gourley, said, “we are so pleased to finally be able to get some hockey happening for local juniors. It’s a great mixed sport with a real family atmosphere and we’re very much looking forward to getting onto the field.”

“The support that we’ve received from Baw Baw Shire Council, Hockey Victoria and the presidents from each of our affiliated clubs has been fantastic. We’ve been able to develop a comprehensive return-to-hockey plan that includes a range of health, hygiene and distancing measures,” she added.

The association and clubs will be covering all costs for the shortened season so that the only expenses for players will be their registration fee with Hockey Victoria, which is $50 for players aged 9 or 10 and $67 for players aged 11 to 18.

Any juniors interested in trying hockey this season are invited to contact one of the clubs or contact Steph Gourley on 0429 356 775 or at president@wgha.asn.au.

Ariya Mock, an Under 15 player for the Gulls Hockey Club, had been waiting impatiently for the hockey season.

“We started training a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to start playing games again. I’ll be playing with and against lots of my friends and it will be great,” she said.

A decision is yet to be made about whether a senior competition will commence this season, but an announcement is expected early next term.