Hook In2 Hockey

Hockey Ballarat is please to announce that they will once again be running the Hook In2 Hockey program. 

An initiative of Hockey Australia, Hook in2 Hockey provides the ideal introduction to hockey for primary aged children.

The program is run by both junior and senior coaches providing fun environment for all. The program is set to begin 17th October and is running through until 12th December. I have attached the flyer for your information.

Registration is on the 17^th October at 6pm. Once again hockey kits will be available for purchase other wise, if you already own a hockey kit a merchandise pack will be purchased for your child. Cost for the program is $40.

If your child has already participated in the program, they are more than welcome to attend again, to further develop their skills.

Please contact Hockey Ballarat if you have any questions.

Sportslink Olympian Hockey Clinic

On the 24th September on Hockey Ballarat is pleased to announce that they will play host to Olympians Angie & Steve Lambert, from the Hockeyroos & Kookaburras.  Following on from their success in Beijing, Angie & Steve are assisting in the Sportslink Australia Olympian Hockey Clinics. The clinic is open to all those under the age of 18, and is devised to suit all hockey abilities- including new players. The clinic will run from 10am till 4pm at the Bendigo Bank Ballarat Hockey Centre, on the 24th September. Hockey Ballarat Junior Committee will then hold the successful ‘Hook In2 Hockey’ program from October for all primary school aged childrenFor further information on the Olympian Hockey Clinic please see the attached flyer or www.sportslinkaustralia.com.au

Important News re: Girls Finals

Please note that the 9am match between Loreto Blue and Dees has been rescheduled to 11am.

The BCC vs Loreto Gold match for Junior B has been rescheduled at the request of the schools to a date that suits both parties

Junior Finals

 Please find the following information regarding Junior Finals

5th September U/15 Boys

 Semi Final 1- 1 vs 4 6pm

 Semi Final 2- 2 vs 3 7pm

6th Sept-

Jn B        Semi Final 1- 1 vs 4 9am

Jn A        Semi Final – 2 vs 3- 10am

Jn B        Semi Final 2- 2 vs 3- 11am

12th September

U/15 Boys Grand Final 6pm

 Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

13th September

Jn B Girls Grand Final-11am

Winner Semi Final 1 vs Winner Semi Final 2

Jn A Grand Final- 9:30am

1 vs Winner Semi Final

Junior Final

The Hockey Ballarat Junior Finals schedules will be available mid-week.

Changes to Firday Nights

Due to scheduling conflicts with the WestVic Junior matches Hockey Ballarat has had re-schedule matches inorder to accomodate these games.

Accordingly the U/12s have been cancelled on the 8th August and the 22nd August.

U/15 boys matches of the 8th August have been altered to:

5pm: BGS vs Blazers Blue

6pm: Blazers Red vs Cougars

U/15 Boys matches of the 22nd August have been altered to:

5pm Blazers Red vs BGS

6pm Cougars vs Blazers Blue

Sorry for any inconvenience

Junor Country Week Thanks

I would like to extend a big thanks to all those who came away on Junior Country Weekend particularly:

U/15 Girls- Emily Wardiener (Coach), Elizabeth Lewis-Gray (Manager), Sam Huver & John Ford (Umpires)

U/15 Boys- Tim Anderson & Aaron Peters (Coaches), Terri Polmear (Manager & Umpire)

U/17 Boys- Cheyne Hackett (Coach), Ray Hill (Manager), and Matt McClelland (who covered umpiring as well as playing)

U/17 Girls- Noel Shell (Manager), & Craig Stewart (Umpire)

The weekend mostly definately wouldn't happen if it wasn't for the time and effort they give and I know all the children and parents are very much greatfull for your efforts

Junior Registrations & Payments

All<//u> Junior Registration forms and Fees must be recieved by the first week back from holidays. If these forms and payment are not recieved the child can not continue the season, until handend in. These forms are used for insurance and database purposes and ensures information is distributed effectively

Junior Country Week Photos Wanted

If anyone has any photos from the weekend they'd like to see on the website please forward them to admin@hockeyballarat.org.au

Junior Country Week Results

Over the weekend of the 28^th & 29^th June, 56 of Hockey Ballarat’s best junior players travelled to Melbourne to partake in the annual Junior Country Championships testing themselves against their fellow regional counterparts. The Junior Country Championships highlight the burgeoning growth of hockey in regional Victoria, and feature many state and country ranked players.

The U/15 boys placed in Pool B, placing 4^th loosing to Warrnambool in the finals.

The U/15 girls were placed in Pool A, featuring mostly first and second year players. Whilst failing to convert on the field, the team came together in the end, vastly improving their skills and game play.

The U/17 boys were placed in the highly competitive Pool A. The youth of the team were no match for the strength of the Albury Wodonga and Goulburn Valley sides and were unlucky in all their games- placing 5^th overall. The Ballarat defence did well to hold off the other teams and were unlucky in the forward line, failing to convert off many opportunities.

The U/17 girls were also placed in Pool A- against the strength and seasoned teams Albury Wodonga, Goulburn Valley, Central Victoria and Geelong. With the majority of the team playing in the Bendigo Bank WestVic Hockey Team in Melbourne on the Friday evening- the weekend proved to be a long one. The defence of the Ballarat line- featuring Country Cobra’s player Emma Ruyg and VSSSA goalie Katey Shell proved to be too strong for the other teams attack. The attacking forwards were highly competitive and aggressive in their play, though were unlucky on many accounts with disallowed goals and fantastic saves by the other teams goalies. The girls finished the pooled matches with two draws and two narrow looses. In the nail biting final against Central Victoria the girls were hopeful for a good result but were ultimately unlucky loosing 2-1.

All players had an enjoyable weekend and learnt a great deal of game play and skills which will be translated into the local competition. Thankyou to all those who came along to support our players, as well as the umpires, managers and coaches of the teams.

Coaches PD

Congratulations to

• Cheyne Hackett
• Elizabeth Lewis-Gray
• Michael Churcher
• Kat Bateman
• Emily Wardiener
• Tim Anderson
• Sam Hoover
• Aaron Peters
• David Ronaldson
• Stephen Higgs

Who recently underwent a Junior Coaches PD session. We hope the gained some valued knowledge from the experience. A huge thanks to Mick Poulton who gave up his time and effort to run the session

Junior Country Week Draws

Links to the Latests Draws

U/15 Boys- Hawthorn

U/15 Girls- Footscray

U/17 Girls- SNHC

U/17 Boys- Essendon & SNHC

Junior Holidays

Thursday night training will be cancelled on the evening of the 26th June for the Junior Country Week Training Sessions.

Following there shall be a two week break for holidays in which all the coaches wish you an enjoyable break and we hope you are looking forward to an great second half of the season

Junior Country Team Selections

Congratulations to all those participating in the Junior Country Weekend this June. Please find the attached notice regarding teams.

Please also find attached the information sheet regarding the weekend and medical form which must be forwarded to PO Box 188, Ballarat 3353 or Fax: 5394323 by 26th June

Junior Committee

Thankyou to Tim Anderson, Sue Maloney, Helen Churcher, Trish Ryan and Kat Bateman for all the work they do as members of the Junior Committee. If anyone else is interested or has any suggestions for the development of the Junior Competition (or any thing else) please feel free to contact us via admin@hockeyballarat.org.au. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact us.

Judith Yates Lightening Premiership

Congratulations and thanks to all those who participated in the Judith Yates Lightening Premiership. Particularly to our umpires John Cleary, Caitlin Paton, Matt McC, Kate Ryan and Michael Churcher.

Congratulations to Cougars (U/15boys), Ballarat and Clarendon College (Junior A) and Loreto Blue (U/15 girls) who won their respective age groups.

U/17 Development Opportunity

Hockey Victoria is committed to the development of underage athletes to assist them to reach their potential and as such, we will will again be conducting the very popular Under 17 Development Squad Program.

The two-day program is designed to provide two intensive days of on-field development for talented club athletes. Top Victorian coaches and athletes will deliver the program which will focus on the consolidation of skills appropriate for this age group. The program is non-residential. 

Closing date for applications is Fri June 13th.

Judith Yates Lightening Premiership

Please find the attached flyer regarding the Judith Yates Lightening Premiership to be held over the weekend of the 13th & 14th June.

Cobras Representatives

On behalf of all the members of Hockey Ballarat we'd like to congratulate the following Juniors who have been selected as members of the Country Cobras at the upcoming Junior State Championships

• Zac McMurray- U/13 Boys
• Rosie Lewis- U/13 Girls
• Michael Churcher- U/15 Boys
• Jono Provis-Vincent- U/15 Boys
• Kate Ryan- U/15 Girls
• Emma Ruyg- U/15 Girls

We wish them every success in their future hockey endeavors.

Junior Umpires

Hockey Ballarat aims to provide training and experience for all those interested in umpiring. Beginner umpires use the Junior Competitions as a means of gaining practical experience. If any junior players or parents are interested in becoming a Junior umpire please speak to Kat regarding gaining practical experience  (with a mentor) and undergoing the theoretical test.

Junior Draws

Please not the latest draws have been updated to the net- however they are subject to change.

Many of you may have realised that there is a large break in the season, reason being

• 6th & 07th June- Queen's Birthday Weekend
• 13th & 14th June- Judith Yates Lightening Premiership
• 20th & 21st June- Private School being holidays
• 28th & 29th June- Junior Country Weekend
• 28th June- 14th July- School Holidays.

Hockey Ballarat Junior Committee

The Junior Hockey Season is made possible by the volunteers of the Junior Committee. Their role includes (but is not limited to):

• Junior Hockey Season
• Hockey Ballarat Junior Teams
• Junior Umpires (Sub-Group)
• Junior Development
• Junior Country Week
• Various other junior tournaments.

New Committee Members are being sought to bring new ideas and to develop the existing programs. For further information please contact Kat Bateman 0407338508

Junior Country Week

Each year Hockey Ballarat sends representative teams to Junior Country Week. This year the competition is being run over the weekend of the 28th & 29th June, and we currently plan on taking U/13 Mixed, U/15 B, U/15 G, U/17B, U/17G- though this is number dependant.

Training sessions are proposed for 12th & 19th June, with trails running and 29th May & 5th June at 6pm

If you are interested in representing Ballarat over the weekend please let Kat know via admin@hockeyballarat.org.au. If any parents are interested in managing a team for the weekend please let Kat know, all managers must hold a full licence, and may be required to undergo a volunteer police check