The wait is over for Warrnambool District Hockey Association players and fans.
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Seniors haven't played for 12 months and the juniors only got three matches in during the middle of 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While there's plenty of buzz among those keen to hit the field, WDHA president Sharyn Stevenson said teams were struggling for numbers, especially at senior level.
"Juniors seem to want to come back, they haven't struggled as much," she said.
Stevenson feels some seniors players have found other ways to spend their weekend after having the year off due to the pandemic.
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So she's inviting people to get involved to help boost numbers.
"We're welcoming all new and old players, anyone who wants to have a go," she said.
The president said an ideal way for newcomers to get involved was by attending the association's training sessions on Wednesday nights.
Juniors are on between 5-6pm and seniors are on from 6-7pm at the Cramer Street ground in Warrnambool.
Stevenson said interested participants could contact the WDHA clubs if Wednesday night didn't suit.
To ease into the season and help teams short on players, the association will start with seven-a-side matches rather than the usual 11-a-side for all age groups.
Under 14s start on Friday night at 5pm.
Saturday will start with the Hookin2Hockey program for primary school-aged children before under 16s, senior men's and senior women's matches.
Stevenson said WDHA was looking to bring back masters hockey in the second half of the year.
Numerous coronavirus protocols will be in place this weekend including the following:
- Everyone playing or staying inside the ground (on the sidelines) must register their attendance via the QR code on the fence or the sandwich board within the ground. This is the same for anyone attending training sessions.
- Each coach/manager is responsible to clean their bench area after each game. Cleaning spray and wipes will be supplied.
- Each person attending the ground is expected use hand sanitiser before play/training and after the game/training session.
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