Community
30 April, 2021
Gazza's Goss: Super Jolly Hockey Sticks
WHETHER you’re a regular hockey player, never played before, or like me, you put your stick up in the loft many years ago.
Well it’s time to have a go, and there’s no better place than in the Douglas Shire.
Super 5’s Hockey is coming. A fun opportunity to get that “I wanna become fitter!” New Year’s Resolution back on track.
First played in preparation for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Super 5’s is great for kids and adults alike and is super-fast, highly skillful and adaptable to multiple surfaces, environments and space. (In other words, you can play it most places.)
The game consists of just 5 players per team. (Interesting, perhaps that’s why it called Super 5’s.) One in goal and four on the field, so why not get your friends together and form a team.
Games are about to start at Coronation Park, Mossman, with juniors playing Sunday mornings commencing May 2 and adults on Monday evenings from May 3.
The inspiration behind all things Hockey in the Douglas Shire is Greg Mill. In fact, the Douglas Hockey Association was established by Greg who now serves as chairman. Greg saw an opportunity to introduce field hockey into the Douglas Shire a few years ago.
In 2019 a vibrant hockey program commenced including minis, juniors and adults, plus a social walking hockey for all ages.
They also introduced their first indoor hockey competition during the wet season.
This was followed by taking hockey to schools in the Cook region including Cooktown, Hope Vale, Laura, Lakeland, Rossville and Wujal Wujal.
Despite COVID restrictions, Douglas Hockey Association moved forward with a competition for Juniors, Seniors and Walkers including an inaugural Beach Hockey tournament, the Sandy Sticks & Spokes Trophy.
Based at Coronation Park, Mossman, they currently utilise grass fields. Check this out though, last year Douglas Shire Council approved a sports master plan which included a possible future synthetic hockey pitch at the Port Douglas Sports Precinct.
Douglas Hockey Association development plans for this year include taking hockey to Cape York Indigenous communities, continuing the growth of their successful junior program, sending their first representative side to Queensland State Championships (U13 boys), introducing a Golden Oldies hockey format for over 65’s and doubling the size of their September beach hockey tournament to sixteen junior & senior teams
The future for hockey in Douglas Shire and beyond certainly looks bright.
Until next week though, it’s
Gazza signing out!!
Send your stories to; gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
You can catch up with Gazza each
weekday afternoon between 4-7 pm
on 90.9 FAB FM in Port Douglas.
