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8 October, 2021

Gazza’s Goss: Sea Sand and Sticks

EARLIER in the year I caught up with Douglas Hockey Association President Greg Mill from the Douglas Hockey Association Inc.

By GAZZA

Gazza’s Goss: Sea Sand and Sticks - feature photo

At the time, Greg was hopeful that, COVID-19 allowing, Port Douglas would be the host of Australia’s only beach hockey competition. Well, it’s happening, and with the ‘Sandy Sticks’ tournament full of talented teams from the region, it’s going to be a great day to bring your picnic hamper and have a watch.

For only the second time, the Douglas Hockey Association and Beach Hockey Australia are running their family beach hockey tournament on Port Douglas’s glorious Four Mile Beach next Saturday October 16. The round robin beach hockey tournament is available for both juniors and adults, so why not get your tackling, dribbling and goal scoring skills ready.

Although the day is bound to be a whole heap of fun and sand, of course. Hockey is great way to exercise. There will also be a competitive edge, with regional teams attending from Townsville, Cairns, Atherton and Cooktown, all ready to compete against the best players from the Douglas Shire.

Greg and the rest of the team hope, in the future, to see similar tournaments being played in coastal regions throughout the country.

Next Saturday’s jam-packed program of events will bring other benefits with participants and spectators taking full advantage of our wonderful beach environment and local food & accommodation.

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The Sandy Sticks tournament this year will be played on two giant inflatable beach hockey pitches, one of which was recently funded by the Douglas Shire Council through their 2021 grant’s program.

Junior and adult matches will be running from 9am-4pm with presentations and awards following the finals. Junior, Senior, Mixed and Celebrity teams are now open for registration, each with 5 players a side (8 per squad) playing a round robin style tournament. Barbecue and refreshments will also be set up on North Four Mile Esplanade, with all money raised going to support junior hockey development in the region.

As an extra bonus, two times Olympic Australian Hockey Goal Keeper Toni Cronk will be a special guest on the day.

For the full weekend-long program, go to the Douglas Hockey Facebook page @Douglashockeyassociation

I’m off to practice my scooping and flicks, so for now it’s Gazza signing out!

 

You can catch up with Gazza each weekday afternoon between 4 – 7 pm on 90.9

FAB FM in Port Douglas!

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