There’s been a change of board in the Sydney Hockey Association and with it a more organised front. The first game of the season has been confirmed as the 14 April. There’s also been a slight change in the league structure (mainly cosmetic for this season). Division 1 through to 4 has now been renamed Sydney League (SL) 1-8, with 10 teams in each league. Our 1st and 2nd team will be playing in SL1 & SL2, with the 3rd and 4th teams in SL7 & SL8. The only real difference for Easts this year is that there will be two teams dropping down into the league the 3rds play in, making it more challenging for them to walk away as title winners yet again. The league is also looking to move away from paired fixtures (starting next season), allowing promotion/relegation individually on merit. How this all works is a bit hazy for now, but we’ll keep you informed as things progress (slowly no doubt). But at least it’s a positive step forward by the SHA.
With the season starting a little later this year, Easts are taking the opportunity to enter two teams in the Indoor Hockey Competition in Ryde. The competition starts on Wed the 8th Feb. Games are played between 7pm – 9pm at the Ryde Aquatic Centre. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in playing – new players welcome!
Pre-season fitness training is scheduled to start on Tue the 28th Feb in the Domain. Whitey has agreed, with a somewhat sadistic smile, to help whip us into shape. This will inevitably involve us running around a lot of trees, jumping over human obstacles and coming up with some obscure squatting exercises to strengthen those core muscles nobody can quite place.
And of course we have some pre-season socials coming up over the next couple of months. Keep your eyes open for the Curry Night in Feb, details to be confirmed soon. Also coming up is Easts Golf Day planned for Sun the 4th Mar. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is now organising numbers so if you are interested please let him know. To add to the social events, we are planning lawn bowls at Paddo Bowls Club in April – details to come once we get our fixtures confirmed.
Finally we have the Albury Hockey Carnival over the Easter weekend. It was the highlight of last year’s events and those that went are still recalling tales of their conquests. If you feel like you missed out last year and are keen to battle it out against random clubs from across the states, then contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Did someone say Dog Bowl?