2021 Hockey Victoria Community Awards

We are excited to announce the 2021 Hockey Victoria Community Award Winners and Finalists. Congratulations to all!

After another lockdown effected year, it was incredible to see all the hard work and camaraderie to continually keep the Victorian Hockey Community engaged and ready to go for the return. When it came time to getting back on the field, it was clear that everyone was eager and raring to go. We can't thank the Victorian Hockey Community enough for the work that you do, and this list of Community Awards finalists and winners emphasises the fantastic work that all club volunteers and members do to support this great game that we all love.

We'd like to congratulate all nominees for these Community Awards. It is clear that your clubs/associations are so thankful for your everything that you do. We're keen to see what 2022 brings and how the Victorian Hockey Community will rise and return to an uninterrupted season.

2021 Community Club of the Year

Winner - Footscray Hockey Club

Footscray Hockey Club have worked incredibly hard in 2021. Expanding their work in the inclusion space with their first ever NAIDOC week event educating members about the theme of Heal Country and collaborating with community First Nation Members to continue the event annually. The club’s use of social media and newsletter has engaged members, especially during lockdown affected periods, by challenging and offering a variety of activities. Lastly, Footscray have broadened their charitable endeavours, continuing their work with the BCNA and turning their focus to Mental Health by partnering with organisation to run two sessions through the season. Congratulations Footscray Hockey Club on being named 2021 Club of the Year.

Finalist - Brunswick Hockey Club

Brunswick value engagement, inclusion, and hard work to drive their club values. The club runs free hockey clinics to engage younger members of the community, while also working with junior members in and out of lockdown through free zoom sessions and leadership programs to develop youth members in such a difficult year. For inclusion, Brunswick take both an International/Local approach, engaging both international students across 6 universities and working with children in local community housing estates. Although affected because of COVID, these programs have shown incredible inclusion. Through this Brunswick’s hard work, the club has served the community during the pandemic with voluntary programs, worked to expand the sport un under-served communities, and expand club facilities to accommodate growth and community objectives.

Finalist - Wangaratta Hockey Club

Wangaratta has seen growth and progress in 2021, and due to this, have worked their backsides of to build a bright future. The club has engaged with a local college to secure a private field, something they have never had in the past, with this collaboration building towards continued growth in the club and sport. In an unexpected year of growth if their junior cohort, Wangaratta partnered with another local club to ensure all juniors are included and could participate. On top of this, the club has worked hard to build community engagement through local papers and social media, ran various programs for students and the community, as well as continued charitable work and created new business endeavours for future growth.

2021 Administrator of the Year

Winner - Jemma Aitchison, Portland Hockey Club

As President of Portland Hockey Club, Jemma goes above and beyond. With Portland being a new affiliate in Victoria, Jemma has been able to smooth the transition across associations, while having a great relationship with all committee members, coachers, parents, and players, all while managing full time work, study, and running a family of 4. Bringing a positive and motivated approach, Jemma has facilitated immediate junior growth through Hin2H, while also planning for the future by building a relationship with Warrnambool and Hamilton to strengthen their relationship in the Western Districts Hockey Association. In only 2 years in the position, Jemma has fought barries from COVID-19 and boarder closures, all while assuring a smooth transition for all over to VIC. Please join us in congratulating Jemma as the 2021 Administrator of the Year.

Finalist - Howard Nicklas, Footscray Hockey Club

Footscray’s Event, Grants and Men’s PL Manager, Howard, bring his passion for instilling strong community values to the club. In addition to his role at the club, Howard ran Footscray’s Inaugural NAIDOC week, managed the Men’s PL team, while also mentoring and providing opportunities for young people to take up roles within the club that showcased their skills and abilities. Howard also extends his work to support neighbouring clubs with their grant applications to host a NAIDOC event and their own livestreaming capabilities. Bringing innovative ideas to the club in ridged situations, Howard has taken on the workload and improved the club for future seasons.

Finalist - Sarah Edlington, Waratahs Hockey Club

Sarah holds a role on the General Committee at Waratahs Hockey Club, while also being a Match Administrator Officer for Sunraysia Hockey Association. Sarah takes on many responsibilities for the club, all while playing hockey throughout COVID. The work Sarah puts in has ensured that the impacts of inconsistent hockey have been minimised with the Waratahs, and across the Association. Sarah has optimised player retention/recruitment, upheld administration, and created a welcoming environment and umpiring development within the club. By contributing strongly at the local level, Sarah continually works towards strengthening grass roots hockey, while building strong relationships with members and a positive, goal focused practices within the Waratahs.

Finalist - Mel Sanders, Footscray Hockey Club

Mel holds many hats within the Footscray Hockey Club, with 16 roles all up. This incredible contribution to the club proves that when there is a job to be done, Mel us there to help. Working hard to ensure the club manages COVID-19 obligations, being an integral member of the NAIDOC Week organising, and being ready to assist junior coaches, umpires and team manages to help effectively run the junior section. Mel ensures that hockey continues to be promoted in schools locally, assisting with Footscray Roadshows and come and try clinics. Mel always takes the challenge in stride and uses any barrier as motivation to provide a high quality result/outcome for the club.

2021 Community Coach of the Year

Winner - Kate Rinehart, Gippsland Bulls Hockey Club/West Gippsland Hockey Association

Kate Rinehart holds many coaching titles withing the Gippsland Bulls/West Gippsland Hockey Association (6 all up). Kate works tirelessly with the junior and youth teams across the club, association, with JSC teams, and Hin2H/Stick2Hockey/Roadshows. Visiting schools and hockey programs, making hockey enjoyable for all ages groups, sees Kate fostering the game for the next generation. Her ability as a coach has seen her team’s winning gold in the JSC, and sitting on top of the ladder in their local competition. Kate is a positive role model to younger players, teaching them to work hard and achieve their best. A huge congratulations to Kate Rinehart, the 2021 Coach of the Year.

Finalist - Dale Boyd, Bendigo Senjuns Hockey Club

Bendigo Senjuns’, Dale Boyd, holds 8 coaching titles with the club, and is a mentor for the U16 coach at the club. Dale is an excellent communicator to each team he is involved with, helping provide feedback that helps the players set their own goals to review at the end of their tournament. Dale loves to see the younger member progress over the years, being involved for over 10 years in Bendigo. Helping to organise and facilitate the Head Coach of NW Lightning Junior Academy in 2021, Dale continues to develop and mentor others around the club in the coaching space. Dale’s clear passion for Junior Development is evident in the way he encourages, empowers, and works with players to develop them as individuals and hockey players.

Finalist - Claire Aston, PEGS Hockey Club

Claire Aston is the epitome of a player giving back as a coach. Coaching the U16 Girls Shield B team for PEGS, Claire has always challenged the girls in becoming the best players they can be. Claire focuses on making sue the U16 girls enjoy their hockey in another COVID affected year. This tight knit team, that has developed from Hin2H up to 16’s, has been supported by Claire and the opportunities she provides to develop their skills, but also encourage them to focus on playing fair, being respectful, and supporting each other. As captain of the club’s VL1 women’s team, and getting to play alongside some of her U16’s, Claire is an excellent mentor and gives the girls confidence and support to develop them as players.

2021 Community Official of the Year

Winner - Stuart McCleary, Hockey Central Vic/North Central Hockey Association/Sunraysia Hockey Association/Loddon Murray Hockey Club/North West Lightning/Eaglehawk Hockey Club/Charlton Hockey Club/Rivaside Hockey Club

Stuart is an accredited Technical Official which during the 2021 Winter Competition travelled every week to various grounds across Metropolitan & Regional Victoria to ensure an accredited TO be present. Stuart through his experience has given up his time to educate aspiring officials of all levels, along with ensuring his local association Hockey Central Victoria is in a good position as the association comes out of the pandemic.

Finalist - Kerri Boyd, Bendigo Senjuns Hockey Club

Kerri is a level 1 accredited umpire which devotes her time mentoring juniors. Part of the umpire sub-committee for her local association (HCV), along with being Vice President of Bendigo Senjuns HC, Kerri supports all umpires and members to further their education. In 2021 Kerri mentored up to 6 games per week whilst also filling in on the roster to umpire extra games

2021 Hookin2Hockey Club of the Year

Winner - Wellington Hockey Club

Wellington Hockey Club coaches and volunteers ran the School Roadshows and Sporting Schools programs in a number of local schools when possible, during the pandemic. Following the Hin2H program, the club managed to transition 14 of the 45 registered to club training and competition as part of the East Gippsland HA.

Finalist - Essendon Hockey Club

Essendon Hockey Club engaged strongly with local schools during the pandemic and the hard work paid off. The club had 32 Hin2H participants which transitioned to club competition in 2021, along with 30 continuing into the Stick2Hockey program.