ANNUAL REPORT 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Annual ReportAnnual PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE There is no doubt that the past twelve months were like During the year, we also welcomed O’Neills as our no other in the history of our sport. While bushfires and new uniform partner, along with a new NSW Pride coronavirus tested us, the way in which we responded Sponsor, Kennards Self Storage. We look forward to bought out the very best of who we are as a community partnering with both of them for an exciting 2021, with and as a sport. a much-anticipated return of the Sultana Bran Hockey One League. 2020 was a year that highlighted the important role our hockey family plays in supporting each other and At our Hockey NSW Awards Night, which was held in keeping each other safe. It demonstrated our strength Bathurst in February 2020 to coincide with the Regional and resilience and the value of staying connected, Challenge, it was wonderful to see the incredible efforts particularly during the tough times. of our volunteers recognised. The night celebrated the contributions from the best and brightest within our Through the incredible efforts of our many volunteers community. and Hockey NSW staff, it was a watershed moment to see Clubs and Associations return to play in July 2020. Sadly, throughout the year, we also farewelled some This was the result of months of planning, creating of our valued Life Members and former State players, industry leading COVID safety plans, and working including Rae Morris, Wendy Weir and Vernon Turner. It together in partnership with our sponsors, other sports, was an honour to be able to present Rae with her Life and Government to secure funding and learn from each Member badge a few weeks before her passing. other as things changed. In the spirit of gratitude, I would like to acknowledge Over this past year, we bore witness to the power of and recognise the efforts of our CEO, David Thompson connection as many of you collaborated and connected and the entire Hockey NSW staff. Despite experiencing a with us and each other to offer support, ideas and share period of reduced hours during the year, they continued information. Social media was alive with stories, video to go above and beyond to contribute and play a key and photos of our members innovating and keeping well role in supporting Associations and our volunteers, by practicing tricks and skills at home. As a Board, we increasing our engagement with hockey in schools (in a truly valued the time Association Presidents spent with virtual environment) and taking a lead role on some key us to share what was on their mind and the challenges national projects that will help make hockey stronger. they were navigating during a period of uncertainty. I would like to also thank the Hockey NSW Board We were one of the only sporting organisations in the of Directors for their leadership and commitment whole of Australia to offer an incentive payment to throughout the year. I would also like to acknowledge stick with hockey. This measure was important, as it and thank David Mallon, who resigned from the Board was a way for us to recognise and reward the continued during the year for his valued contribution to our sport. loyalty of our members, while protecting the future of our sport. In addition, we were able to reduce Member Finally, I would like to express my sincerest thanks and Association fees in 2021 to help ease the financial load. appreciation to all of our wonderful hockey family for your continued commitment, dedication and love of our As a result of all these efforts, there is no doubt Hockey great sport. It is truly recognised and valued. NSW was a leader in the way in which it navigated the bushfire and COVID crisis. BIANCA BROADHURST The outcome was that we were able to secure the maximum amount of Government funding available during COVID for our Clubs and secure the continued support of our valued sponsors, Steggles, Field Turf, Sportslink Travel, ACPE, Kookaburra and Just Hockey. CEO MESSAGE The 2020 season promised so much and launched so The Hockey NSW management team were committed well, but it was not what we had all hoped for in the end. to the survival of the sport and worked fastidiously, preparing and planning for resumption of play. In the last weekend in February, we staged our best ever Regional Challenge and Awards Night in Bathurst. In response to the pandemic, we formed a COVID safety The weekend commenced with a Mayoral reception team that began virtual communication with the that signified the town’s excitement for our three day hockey community. Their primary aim was educating hockey event. Over 1,000 boys and girls supported by and preparing the community for the resumption of parents, grandparents and siblings, coaches, umpires grassroots sport. Hockey NSW presented to many industry forums as we became one of the leaders and participated in the Regional Challenge enjoying the benchmarks in COVID safety planning and preparation. wonderful game of hockey. Our COVID-19 Info Hub on the Hockey NSW website Over the weekend we also launched the “Road Trip For became a resource for all sports. Hockey NSW was a Them” campaign to support those areas affected by key partner of the Winter Sports Alliance, focussing on terrible bushfires and drought. It was a great success, the lobbying of Government for funding, support and the injecting close to $2,000,000 into the local Bathurst recommencement of community sport. The contribution economy. to the Alliance was challenging and rewarding at the same time. This positioned Hockey NSW with Tier 1 This was all short lived as the darkest of clouds rolled in. sports across NSW. COVID-19, the biggest disruptor in most of our lifetimes, hit fast and hard. With no instruction manual on how to The virtual world was now well and truly with us, and we handle a pandemic, we all had to navigate unprecedented needed to make sure we embraced it and were available times. to our members. Our AGM and Presidents Forum were held online with 100% attendance. Virtual delivery of The Hockey NSW Board and Management came together coaching and umpiring workshops was well received. like never before to navigate the course, building We also introduced podcasts and other new innovations strategies and convening working groups to ensure the on social media to communicate with all, while the world survival of our much loved sport. To that end, I believe stayed at home, waiting for the cloud to lift. we have done so. A great highlight of the year was the launch of our Our highest priority was to communicate with members Multicultural Engagement Program. Ten multicultural in a efficient and concise manner. Hockey NSW was the Ambassadors were announced to support and assist only sport to offer immediate clarity and support to our with our Community Come and Try Day in Blacktown. members with our 2 for 1 fee incentive offer. We asked The ambassadors continued their work at the inaugural our members to support us in 2020 by allowing us to League of Nations Cup played at Sydney Olympic Park retain their fees and in return, we would reward them in November. This event, covered by SBS World News in the 2021 season. This was a forward thinking move to and a number of other multicultural broadcasters, was support our membership and ensure our survival. an amazing day and we look forward to making it bigger and better in 2021. Financial support from the State and Federal Governments came through in the form of Job Keeper, Our partners played a huge role in supporting us Payroll Tax relief, CashFlow Boost and Recovery Grant through 2020. From State Government to the Office Funding. In addition, Sydney Olympic Park provided of Sport, my CEO colleagues from all sports in NSW rental relief which greatly assisted our financial and our commercial partners, Steggles, Just Hockey, position, combined with all staff on reduced hours and Kookaburra, Field Turf, O’Neills, ACPE and Sportslink. All of them had their own business battles to deal with but limited movement as we battened down the hatches. stayed strong and continued to support Hockey NSW. It was very exciting to welcome Kennards Self To everyone in the wider hockey community, and Storage as our Gold Sponsor of the NSW Pride for the in particular our Associations, Clubs and Venue 7 next three years. This sponsorship has allowed us to Executives and Committees, thank you for the trust reduce our required storage space and rent at Sydney you put in us and the support you provide. You are all Olympic Park. We are so thankful to Sam Kennard and valued for the time you volunteer, for what you have the team for their support. created and your role that continues to drive the sport of hockey forward. We are lucky to have you all. I would like to thank the members of our Finance and Risk Committee. Their professionalism and guidance Lastly to the Hockey NSW staff. You have all throughout the pandemic has been outstanding and demonstrated an amazing commitment under ReportAnnual proved to be a strength in the business. We are so difficult circumstances. You have all shone and are fortunate to have you all as part of our team. all the silver lining of the COVID cloud. I appreciate and respect you all for your dedication and contribution to Thanks also to the volunteers who reside in our other our team and our sport.