The Young Combined Hockey Association is celebrating a successful start to the 2025 season, with four evenly matched teams competing in a vibrant local competition and a growing number of junior players stepping onto the field.
President of the Association, Michael Adams, says the competition has never looked better, with strong weekly turnouts and new faces joining alongside the regulars.
“The hockey is going really well this year,” Mr Adams said. “The teams are very evenly matched, and the competition is tight. It’s great to see such a balanced season. We’ve had an influx of new players, as well as the usual suspects returning for another run. It’s created a fantastic atmosphere.”
Games are held every Sunday afternoon, and Mr Adams encouraged anyone still interested in joining to get involved. “If you’re thinking about playing, it’s not too late to sign up. Just get in touch or come down on a Sunday we’ll help you join a team and get registered,” he said.
The growth isn’t limited to senior players. The Association’s Hookin2Hockey program, which introduces young children to the fundamentals of the sport, has been a standout success.
“We’ve had more than 45 kids turn up this term, which is a huge result for us,” said Mr Adams.
“We’re actually one of the top-performing clubs in the Hockey ACT Bring a Friend Week, even competing with some of the bigger clubs in Canberra. That says a lot about the strength of our community.”
Hookin2Hockey runs Thursday afternoons and will resume in Week 2 of Term 3. The program, led entirely by volunteers, focuses on grassroots development, building basic skills and confidence in a fun, inclusive environment. Some children are already progressing to the next stage Stick2Hockey which introduces more game-based play and team-focused learning.
“Hookin2Hockey is about building the future of the sport,” said Mr Adams. “It’s a great initiative, and we’re really proud of the numbers we’re seeing. Our volunteers are doing an incredible job.”
Having served as President for more than 10 years, Adams is proud of what the Association has built. “I’ve always been really passionate about hockey,” he said. “We might not be the biggest club in town, but I truly believe we have the best community. My goal has always been to leave a legacy and I think the growth we’ve seen in local hockey will be part of that legacy.”
-Liam Stuart
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