ANNUAL REPORT Northern Territory Hockey Association 2008 SPONSORS NT HOCKEY Major Sponsors Australian Hockey League Major Sponsors Minor Sponsors Indigenous Sports Program Austec Irrigation Darwin Central Hotel NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 2 NT Hockey Association Committee 2008 Patron: Keith Kemp Executive Committee President: Richard Bryson Senior Vice President: Bill Van Dijk Vice-President: (Men) Vacant Vice-President: (Women) Vacant Vice President: (Marrara) Vacant Media Coordinator: Vacant Treasurer: Andrew Hahn Umpiring Coordinator: Vacant Coaching Director: Vacant Staff Executive Officer: Michael Lloyd Operations Manager: Daniel Hayes Development Officer: Colin Hennessy / Neil Gerrard (part-time) Project Officer Jenni Dexter Financial Officer: Ian Miller & Sandy Hayes NT Institute of Sport Coach: Melissa Hall NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 3 NTHA Delegates and Committees 2008 Alice Springs Hockey Association Mark Goode Bill Van Dijk Darwin Hockey Association OCIATION OCKEY ASS DARWIN H Kevin Langham Doreen Walton Gove Hockey Association Vacant NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 4 NTHA Honours Life Members Les Finnis * Geoff Gray Geoff Sharples Ian Miller Arthur Chuck * Stewart Cox Dot Durack * Helen O’Bryan Noel Condon Gordon Clarke Beryl Conversi Barry Humphries * Ted D’Ambrosio* Bev Sinclair Keith Kemp Jack Hughes Garry Halvorson* David Moore Phillipa March Robert Bulasch (*deceased) Player Life Members Jan McMahon John Keirs Chantrelle Carey David Hennessy Michelle Caden Merit Awards Bev Sinclair Dulcie West Stan Rance John Price Eva Lawler Alan Marshall Jan McMahon Geoff Gebhard Tony O’Bryan Janet Amadio Roger Newman Debra Moore Lill Finniss Vince Yuen Brad Ainslie Kath McMahon NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 5 National Selections 2008 2008 Olympic Squad: • Desmond Abbott 2008 National Development Squad: • Joel Carroll U21 Development Squad: • Joel Carroll • Adrian Lockley • Heather Langham U16 School Sport Girls: • Sarah Paul Australian Mens Veterans over 55: • Ted Visentin Australian Womens Veterans over 50: • Jane Slater Scholarship - Hockey Australia 2008-2009 Female Coaching Apprenticeship Program awarded to Assistant Coach to the NTIS program, Chantrelle Carey. International and National Tours 2008 Kookaburras: Des Abbott 5 Nations Tournament 18-28 January 2008 Potchefstroom, South Africa 4 Nations Tournament 30 April-4 May 2008 Darwin, NT Champions Trophy Warm Up Matches 15-17 June 2008 Edegem, Belgium 2008 Champions Trophy 21-29 June 2008 Rotterdam, Netherlands 3 Test Series v Korea 19-23 July 2008 Cairns, Queensland Bronze Medallist - 2008 Olympic Games 11-21 August 2008 Beijing, China Adrian Lockley Junior Mens 8 Nations Invitational Tournament 17-27 January 2008 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 6 NTHA President’s Report Early last year I was elected to the position of President of the Northern Territory Hockey Association (NTHA). Although I initially saw myself as the victim of a classic ambush, having attended the AGM with no forethought of standing as President, and coming out the other side with my new role, it has nonetheless been a privilege to serve in this capacity after having contributed in an array of positions with the Alice Springs Hockey Association (ASHA) and the NTHA over a number of years. The past President, Mr Peter Stoner stepped down and did not seek to be re-elected for personal reasons. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge not just his efforts during his recent office, but his ongoing contribution to hockey in the Northern Territory over an extended number of years. I will make a few necessary observations about the NTHA, our year just gone and our future directions. The major task for the year from my perspective was to immediately address some pressing financial considerations. The Executive made some hard decisions in this regard, culminating in a staffing restructure and a significant number of administrative changes and aligned cost control measures. It is my view that the NTHA, whilst not at crisis point, is at a critical crossroad in its life cycle. In recent years the NTHA has been eating into precious cash reserves. This situation could not be allowed to continue. This year we took steps forward in some areas and backwards in others. For example, on a positive note we took some interim measures to make our decision making processes more robust and transparent as they relate to representative selections which has recently culminated into the reinvigoration of the High Performance Committee (HPC). On the other side of the ledger we had little interest in filling some of the positions on the Executive. These positions are important for a number of reasons, not least of which is to lighten the workload for others and to raise general awareness across the hockey community as to what is happening, but to ensure a broader demographic of the membership base are represented and involved in the decision making processes. I am pleased to say that there has been some recent interest in this regard which I hope translates into nominations and service for the coming season. It is time for all members of the NTHA to reflect upon their own ability to contribute to the running of hockey in the Territory. It is accepted and understood that not everybody is in a position to be willing or able to put their hand up for an Executive position. Each of us has family commitments, professional obligations and other competing interests. What is needed however is a willingness of more individuals to help out where and when they can. The NTHA cannot move forward if the majority of our members adopt a mindset of simply turning up at game time, playing, and leaving again. All members need to ask themselves how they might give back to the sport. Reflect upon your own current contribution, consider your present skill base and personal interest areas and make a conscious decision to assist in achieving the NTHA objectives for the betterment of hockey. Our situation can not improve unless people are prepared to commit and take advantage of the opportunities presented them. Stakeholder communication is a priority for the Executive as it has become very apparent to me over the past year that a large part of the hockey community have a poor comprehension of the respective roles and responsibilities of NTHA, DHA and the NTIS. The Northern Territory hockey community is by nature small but this a positive not a negative. It means that we can, with the right approach, to a large extent control our own destiny. We can effect change more readily than larger jurisdictions but in order to move forward we must be prepared to move above petty personality clashes and short term differences of opinion. It is easy to be critical of the efforts of others. NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 7 I challenge those who have ideas to contribute to be constructive in their approach. All parties need to be prepared to step out of the traditional individual stakeholder silos and work collaboratively towards what should be and are largely common objectives for the longer term good of the sport. We are in the process of re-negotiating our four year sport agreement with the NT Government. The economic conditions have changed significantly in recent months and financial assistance will become increasingly harder to come by in the foreseeable future. There is much work to be done in the areas of marketing and sponsorship. I acknowledge the excellent performances of some of our own home grown players on the national stage over the past 12 months, from Des Abbott’s selection in the Australian Men’s team and his Olympic Bronze Medal performance at the Beijing Games to Heather Langham and Adrian Lockley’s selection into the Australian U21 squads, Joel Carroll’s recent call up to the extended Australian Men’s squad, not to mention Leon Hayward and Jonathon Peris’ selections into the Australian Youth Olympics squads. Congratulations to you all as you chase your dreams and reap the rewards of your training and commitment to the sport of hockey. A sincere thank you to all who assisted us to successfully host the Australian U/21 Men’s, Four Nations and Australian Men’s Veterans tournaments. Without your support these events could not be held in the Territory. Finally, Arafura Games time is almost upon us. It is a great opportunity to showcase our facilities and fundraise for the NTHA. I urge you all to contact the Executive Officer to discuss how you might be able to contribute to the smooth running of the event. Richard Bryson President NTHA NT Hockey - 2008 Annual Report Page 8 EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT Like the 2006/07 season, 2007/08 saw Northern Territory hockey go through significant staff and Board changes. This on top of an International Series and the preparation for two National Championships later in the year has led to busy times. A big thank you to Peter Stoner who finished a long association with the NTHA Board this year. Peter stepped down to run the Men’s Veterans Championships which are to be held in Darwin later in the year, and then enjoy some time away from hockey. Sponsors Thanks again must go to the Northern Territory Government who continues to be our biggest supporter. Without their support for our facilities, management, touring teams and major events, NT Hockey would surely struggle to survive. The NTHA would like to also acknowledge and thank the following sponsors, who continue to support Northern Territory Hockey; Northern Territory Institute of Sport, Northpharm Phamacies, Parap Village Apartments, the Cricket and Football Shop, Cazaly’s and the many others who supported individual players. Development The NT junior championship was once again held during the June/July school holidays in 2008, this year incorporating the Pacific School Games trials.