The Season Commences
The local season is upon us and we wish all players, coaches, umpires, officials and spectators a rewarding season. There is an excitement at training sessions and Saturday promises to be a great day.
We remind everyone to play within the spirit of the game and remember that at the heart of all we do is respect for each other.
To get to this point there has been an incredible amount of work to organise the fixtures and lead the competition and match committees. Matt Krusic-Golub has done all of this with skill and expertise. We acknowledge his work and thank him on behalf of everyone within our community.
We do not have a game without our umpires and I know they will receive your respect and confidence knowing they are trying their best to adjudicate a difficult game.
The Sharks
The Sharks have commenced their seasons and to date the results are varied but encouraging. The men earned their right to be in Premier League and while it has been a tough start against excellent opposition, they are a young side and learning so much from Blair Chalmers.
The women are improving and are settling in to their new game style and coaching approach. Again, a young side and they have a great opportunity to take it up to any side in their grade.
We wish all players who represent Hockey Geelong the best and we will be on the sidelines yelling encouragement.
Stead Park Redevelopment
We commence our last season on the Jim Kirk pitch 1 before it is redeveloped. The State Government shall make an announcement at their choosing as to when the new pitch and pavilion is to commence.
Hockey Geelong shall next month commence a series of meetings with the Geelong Council as to how the lease and use of the new pavilion may look like.
I wish to state how fortunate we are to have a council who is so easy to work with. They have been tremendous throughout the entire process. Development Victoria have also been excellent to work with. They have listened to our concerns and taken on board our wishes. We thank them sincerely. The end result will be stunning.
Torquay Development
The new pitch at Torquay has turned its first sod of soil. The completion date is yet to be announced and we are all excited about the new pitch. This project is ten years in the making and we acknowledge the work of Andrew Crowley, Sarah Storen and Chris Thompson for their tireless work.
It will be a huge boom for hockey on the Surf Coast and surrounding areas.
In time, we can see hockey clubs in that region in places like Armstrong Creek, Drysdale, Anglesea and maybe other places. Hockey Victoria is very keen to expand the game in the Surf Coast area and more information shall be released at their choosing.
Hockey Geelong Membership Card
We have launched the Hockey Geelong Membership card which costs $25 and gives you a 10% discount at our canteen. Upon application you decide which club will receive $10 of your application fee. If you do not wish to allocate to a local club you may decide to give it to the Junior Development Coach program.
The other $15 is allocated to the Junior Development Coach program and we appreciate your support. Our juniors are our future.
If you have not yet joined then please do so at the canteen or online via the website.
We also wish to thank Gillian Armstead sincerely for her volunteer work in this area. This has enabled us to roll out this new program seamlessly.
Junior Development Coach
As has been posted, we have appointed Nic Brydon as our new Junior Development Coach (JDC). She has extensive experience and is keen to improve all juniors. Hockey Geelong is financing this role through sponsorship as well as funds for the Membership card.
If your club or team wishes to use the services of Nic for your juniors then please go the website and book or see Graeme Dent. There is zero cost to the clubs.
Umpires
We are again very fortunate to have Pearce Frost leading our umpiring. He has many great ideas and we give him our full support. There are several juniors who are very interested in umpiring and in promoting this important aspect of our game. Please see Pearce if you have any suggestions.
Website
Tom Griffin and others have worked very hard to lead changes to our website. I am sure you will agree that it looks great and allows us to showcase so many aspects of our game.
Sponsors are clearly placed to enhance their businesses. We welcome feedback and further suggestions as to what you want your website to look like.
Sponsorship
Our sponsorship levels are at a record level and that is due to the work of Tom Griffin along with Cass Calder. We are very fortunate to have Tom’s expertise and contacts in this space. Hockey Geelong is the beneficiary of his skill and expertise. Well done Tom.
King’s Birthday Championships Bendigo
The King’s Birthday Hockey Championships shall be held in Benidgo this year and Hockey Geelong has entered a Men’s Division 2 and a Women’s Masters sides. There are also five women who have expressed interest in playing on Kings Birthday and Hockey Victoria will try to form a combined side with Ballarat.
Please see Cass Calder or Daniel from the Jags if you are interested.
We encourage all local clubs to look at being involved and see it as a great way of getting to know players from other clubs.
Premier League Academy
Our Premier League Men’s coach in Blair Chalmers is leading the newly formed Premier League Academy. The purpose is to work with the junior Sharks players to extend them and advance their skills. Blair is a person of vast experience and we thank him for leading this program. We also thank Andie Hatton for her work in this space.
Streaming of Games at Stead Park
Working alongside Hockey Victoria we shall be streaming games live from the Lynette Williams pitch (2) at Stead Park in the very near future.
The JCC games have been streamed for the past five years and have proved popular. The games that will be streamed will be juniors, seniors, men and women, local and Sharks for the whole of each Saturday.
Access is via optional subscription. People may pay per month or a yearly subscription. The yearly subscription finishes at the end of the calendar year enabling people to review games up to that date.
We encourage you to subscribe and send a message to Hockey Victoria and the streaming service that we value our hockey in Geelong.
More information shall be posted as it comes to hand.
Hockey Geelong Bequests
We have received from time-to-time people wishing to leave something to Hockey Geelong so they or their loved one may be remembered.
The executive has ratified a Bequest program that will be posted on our website and socials. Please read it and if that is something you may like to be connected with then please see someone on the executive.
Hall of Fame
The executive is working on refining the Hall of Fame criteria to broaden to those who may be eligible. When it is ratified, it will be posted on the website and socials.
Please consider if there is anyone you know who may fit the criteria and be a suitable person to be inducted into the Hockey Geelong Hall of Fame.
In conclusion I would like to thank all the club Presidents, Secretaries and other officials who keep their club and our association going. This selfless work is acknowledged by all and please feel valued.
Take care and all the best. In the end hockey is a game.
Hockey Geelong Executive
22.4.25
