MAJOR SPONSOR ILLAWARRA DISTRICT HOCKEY INCORPORATED ABN 65 968 307 144 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 SEASON JUNIOR HOCKEY JUNIOR UMPIRES SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE SPONSOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM SPONSOR SPONSOR ILLAWARRA DISTRICT HOCKEY INCORPORATED ANNUAL REPORT 2012 SEASON Life Members: Messrs. Claude Armstrong*, Wayne Billett, W (Bill) Castle*, Peter Cummins, Vic East, Keith Eastham, David Johnston, Wesley Johnston, Gerry Kelly, George Moorehouse, Barry Reid, L. Ryan*, Danny Shipp, Ray Tolhurst, Allan Went, Gary Wilsmore. (*Deceased) BOARD OF MANAGEMENT President Garry Bull Immediate Past President Craig Nealon Vice President Terry Ashby Administrative Officer John Pemberton Director Administration Director Records & Registration Senior & Junior Director Promotion & Media Director Coaching Ernie Orth Director Competition David Brookfield Director Development Lauri Nyrhinen Director Finance Wesley Johnston Director Indoor Warren Gale Director Planning Ian Counsell Director Rep Teams Janet Cowan Director Umpiring Craig Klaus Director Veterans Brian Eastham Judiciary Committee John O'Donnell (chair) Delegates to Illawarra Hockey Garry Bull, Warren Gale Ernie Orth & Allan Went Public Officer Allan Went Presidents Report Firstly, congratulations to our outgoing president from 2011, Craig Nealon, for all he achieved over his term in the leadership role for Men’s hockey in the Illawarra. He has left a legacy of a widely admired, growing association with outstanding success from our juniors, open’s and veterans. The continuation of these results and the direction towards collaboration and amalgamation represents the real challenge ahead for the Association. As my first year in the role comes to an end, I can honestly say it has been a steep learning curve. Notwithstanding my other commitments with Illawarra Hockey Inc., Hockey NSW Facilities Committee and the WCC Sports Facilities Reference Group, plus the Shellharbour Hockey centre working party, much has been achieved in the past year. The viewing/amenities building at Unanderra, informally known as the “Bullpen”, has been a big hit for our spectators who have enjoyed an out of the elements view of the hockey games. On grand final day, to see the terraces packed with the grandstands near full and the building being used by those who preferred a great view and some shade from the sun, along with the players utilising the changerooms, it can be said that the facility upgrade is delivering on its promise. Further enhancements are planned with a formal bar and trophy/award display area thanks to the dedicated volunteers who make it all happen. Along with both synthetic surfaces now renewed at Unanderra, we can all be proud of the facilities available, which once the turfs settle in, outside of Homebush, are the best in the state. The usual early start of the field season with U17s in February was soon followed by the three Test, Australia-China International Series, which happened to coincide with major family commitments for myself. This period stretched my abilities to keep it all together. However, during this period and beyond, I must thank all the Board members who with their knowledge, experience, initiative and drive moved forward with all the necessary tasks for the local field competition and representative commitments. With the U17s well underway and the International Series completed in late March, then came the start of the field season in early April, the Academy Games (Hockey) in mid April and O45 Masters late May, along with the State Open’s mid June, all at Unanderra with O45s also at Croome Rd, there wasn’t much time to settle in to the new role. Congratulations to all our representative teams again this year. From our junior winners through to our veterans, Illawarra has once again shown its depth of talent. Though more work will need to be done at junior level for us to retain and improve on this year’s results. The open’s who shared the result with Sydney were unfortunate, that due to extreme wet weather they couldn’t formally defend their title on home turf. However, they showed in the rounds that they were raging favourites going into the final. We hope all these players can stay available for us next year. With five being selected in the NSW Waratahs, it highlights what a talented group of players are currently available in the Illawarra. With a number of other young players chasing positions at this level, we may continue to excel for a number of years. Along with the continued dominance of our Indoor teams at state titles at all levels, I’m sure we could still lay claim, as Craig did last year, to being the strongest performing Association in the state. London Calling 2012 was the tagline this year, and with Casey Eastham (Hockeyroos), Kieran Govers (Kookaburras) and Dave Gentles (Umpiring), it was a treat for all Illawarra hockey players and fans to watch the games with our players represented. The Association was extremely proud of their performances and achievements. A continuation of the introduction of technical officials for 1st and 2nd grade continued to deliver improvements in the conduct of our matches and on a number occasions at lower levels and ages events highlighted why and how it would benefit the competition if it could also be introduced for these matches. With the standard of umpiring continuing to be of some concern to players it is hoped that with some guidance and assistance from our own International umpire, Dave Gentles that we can improve this area. We need strong leadership in this area to ensure we can deliver on the needed improvements while making the task less onerous for those who gratefully take it on each week. We changed some things this year for grand final day and based on feedback from players and spectators, the presenting of medals on the day was greatly appreciated and preferred. All games were played in great spirit with tight tussles throughout the grades and many clubs involved. Thanks to Craig Nealon again for his work with “iHockeyTV” which is being watched by more and more people both locally and especially internationally. It is becoming a big hit. Don’t forget to have a look. You can find iHockeyTV either on YouTUBE, or as a free podcast found in the iTunes store. I look forward to Craig continuing his efforts and assistance in the media and communications area for which he has a passion and abundant skills. The Board has done a great job in supporting me in my first year with a special mention to Wes Johnston who has devoted significant time and effort to fill in some of the gaps as they have occurred during the year. Thank you, for the efforts of all those involved at club level, which is the real engine room for the Association. Club executives, coaches, managers, umpires, technical officers and all the other volunteers, I hope your love of hockey and the people involved continue to drive your passion for the game. Special thanks once again to John Pemberton, who year in and year out, organises much of what we all take for granted in the running of the Association. Thank you, to our current sponsors, who continue to see hockey as a worthwhile investment that contributes to the wellbeing of the community. We are and we need to do more in this area also. I look forward to the Association tackling some of the big issues in the year ahead for the betterment of hockey in the Illawarra. Garry Bull President Administration Report When I first started administrative duties with men's hockey 13 years ago, I recall a spirited talk by Denis Beynon at our first meeting about the local hockey fraternity. At the time I wondered what Denis was going on about - coming from a cricket background. It did not take long for me to see how passionate all of the Illawarra hockey people were about their game and I consider 13 years later that it is still a pleasure working with all of the hockey fraternity. Hockey is the family game and I appreciate all of the support from so many people each year. There has been a name change! Illawarra Men's Hockey Inc has been replaced by Illawarra District Hockey Inc - IDHI. The decision was made at the July SGM to comply with Hockey Australia and Hockey NSW vision of gender neutral governing bodies of hockey. It has been another outstanding year on the representative scene. Note the large number of Australian and NSW representative players - three local London Olympians! Read about the dominance of the Illawarra Indoor teams in their state championships. What excellent results in the Opens men's titles (without the rain Illawarra would be A & C division champions). The U17s are state champions. The Masters teams finished near the top of their championships in all age divisions. All players and officials should be justifiably proud of these achievements. We must be doing lots of things very well. The first grade competition is of a high standard as the recent final series highlighted. A Captains Forum was organised last December and the clubs introduced a number of changes to the competition format (interchange numbers; Friday night matches; restricted teams in 2nd grade etc) with the aim of improving the first grade competition in the future. Unfortunately Bowral could not field a side in 2012 yet it is planned to field a 10 team first grade competition in future years. Welcome to the new juniors club Seacliff who entered teams in the minkeys, U11s & U13s. We look forward to their growth through the age divisions and into grade in the future. However, it was disappointing to see the demise of the Oak Flats club - both at senior and junior level.