President’s Welcome, 2021

To all players, coaches, officials and club members,

Welcome to the 2021 hockey season. While it seems not all that long ago we were playing the 2020 Finals Series, we are up and running again and ready to begin a new season this weekend. The 2020 season was one I’m sure no one will ever forget. The pandemic, that we are hopefully continuing to emerge from changed many things around the world and we were not immune from that. The fact that we played at all, and so successfully was down to the goodwill of the players, clubs and administrators. We hope to take that success into the new season. Indeed, numbers for the new season are the strongest they have been for many years, 22 clubs, with 101 teams participating across three Premier League grades and seven Sydney League grades. The hard work of clubs, officials and the Board, continues to reap dividends.

In welcoming everyone to the season, there are a few things I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention and ask people to keep them at the forefront of their minds throughout the season.

• COVID - As much as we’d like to think that the pandemic is over, it clearly isn’t and it’s not a time for us to be complacent. Everyone must follow the COVID guidelines at each and every venue, this includes checking in and out of the venues and each team having a COVID contact person.

• Live Streaming - One of the successes of the 2020 season was the live streaming of many of our Premier League games during the season and the finals series. This is something the Board and the hockey community hope to utilise into the future. To this end the Board is forming a committee, led by John Mulcair (Sutherland President) and two Board members to investigate the best way to utilise this technology into the future. If you, or any member of your club would like to join this committee, please contact our Executive Officer, Peter Hayes.

• Officiating - Over the past two seasons, our Officiating Committee has provided umpires to over 95% of all games across Sydney, this is an amazing achievement and something we are keen to build on. If you are keen to umpire, there is support, training and reimbursement available, as well as helping the game grow. The Sydney Hockey Umpires Academy will continue to provide training and support for aspiring umpires.

• RESPECT - This might seem strange, but the standards of player and spectator behaviour are important to the future of the game. There has been a decline in the standard of behaviour, both on and off the field that was commented on at the recent President’s meeting. This is the responsibility of everyone involved. Players, spectators and club officials have a responsibility to call out unacceptable behaviour towards officials, players and spectators. This behaviour begins in PL1 and filters down. It is unacceptable for us to ask umpires, technical officials and even ball boys to be the subject of abuse. The penalties for these behaviours have been increased substantially this season for both players and clubs. The behaviour you ignore is the behaviour that you accept!

In conclusion, on behalf of the Board I wish all members of the hockey community a successful and collegial season. It’s important that we all work together to grow and improve this wonderful game. It’s everyone’s responsibility to be part of the good governance of the game.

Best wishes,

Peter Busch

President

Sydney Hockey Board