In 2016, the Geelong Hockey Association had a membership of 1248 people. Membership numbers have dropped in the intervening years, particularly after the COVID pandemic of 2020. Hockey Geelong is aiming to increase membership to 1200, and we want to let people know about our fantastic new facilities and invite them to join our hockey community.
We welcome new members at all ages but recruiting new members in the younger age groups is likely to support the continuing growth and sustainability of Hockey Geelong and the Geelong hockey community.
Current membership is 882. There were 227 new members who joined Hockey Geelong this year i.e. not registered with Hockey Victoria in the past 7 years. 49% of these were junior members aged from 3 to 16, with 91 of these in the U8, U10 and U12 age groups.
Hockey Geelong spends significant funds and effort to recruit new members through the annual conduct of Hockey Roadshow and Sporting Schools programs in local primary schools. Participants in these programs are invited to join a Hookin2Hockey program to learn the basic skills of hockey, before joining a club/ team to continue playing regularly – we hope! Hookin2Hockey programs are generally aimed at children aged 5 to 12, but not everyone joins a team via a Hookin2Hockey program.
During the 2025 year, our coaches visited 24 schools to conduct hockey programs, with 4362 students participating.
Roadshow programs are one-off sessions for each class, conducted without any cost to the school. Sporting Schools programs are multi-session programs teaching hockey skills to the same class each week for 3 to 5 weeks. Hockey Geelong receives payment from the school for these, with grant funds which the schools obtain from the Australian Sports Commission. Volunteer coaches for both types of programs receive a small reimbursement from Hockey Geelong for their time.
We have been very fortunate and grateful to have sponsorship in 2024 and 2025 from TAP Mortgage Solutions which has been invaluable in supporting the delivery of these programs.
Do You Have A Bright Idea?
We want your views and suggestions as to how we can maximise the number of new members, and how we can increase the effectiveness of our current recruiting practices and programs.
We invite all members and interested persons to join us and share your ideas at a ‘Roadshows and Recruiting Forum‘.
📅 Monday November 10, 2025
⌚ 7.30 to 9.30 pm
📍 Stead Park, John St, Corio
The main topics for discussion at the Forum will include:
1. How do we establish and maintain strong connections and relationships with local schools? e.g.
- Offer HG Roadshow programs at any time of the year when it suits the school
- Continue regular communication with schools during the year
- Provide schools with information regarding Sporting Schools programs which can be used to run hockey programs
2. How do we get more participants from Roadshows to transition into Hookin2Hockey/Come and Try programs? e.g.
- Produce Certificates or stickers to hand out at all schools.
- Assistance at the Roadshows from Sharks, Regional and State players
- Emphasise the free session/s
- Provide a range of options to participate in Hin2H or Come and Try after the Roadshow. A single Hin2H program at one location on one night may not suit everyone.
3. How do we let more people outside the Roadshows know about hockey and Hookin2Hockey/ Come and Try programs? e.g
- Social media and website posts
- Posters for display in prominent places
- Signs in prominent places
4. How do we organise and conduct Hookin2Hockey/ Come and Try programs to get more participants to join teams? e.g
- When
- Where
- Cost
- Format/ program
- Volunteers and equipment required
An agenda and more details will be circulated prior to the Forum. If you have ideas but are unable to attend in person, we would still love to have your suggestions. Please complete this form to give us your ideas.
Enquiries:
Claire Barnes OAM, ph 0417 015130, email [email protected]
Rachel Moon, ph 0414 240805, email [email protected]
