Seacliff Hockey Club

By Kiralie Allan, Secretary
 2009 saw the inaugural SSWHA hockey season for Seacliff Hockey Club. We fielded 7 teams in 7 divisions. Even with a large contingent of netball, football and soccer players in the area we knew there was a place for hockey. Some genius ideas saw Seacliff secure a deal with the newly resurfacing Helensburgh Tennis Club to include our line markings on the new sand-based turf so we could use the facilities to train and play matches. This has been a godsend for us, it is much safer and allows us to train in no matter what the weather and under lights.
Along with the new uniforms, equipment, sponsors and volunteers we have been able to offer the local kids an opportunity to participate in a great team sport that they may not have been exposed to before. Some of the off-field excitement has included a group of our junior kids meeting the Hockeyroos at the Hook into Hockey Clinic and from that 5 of our kids had the opportunity to walk the Australian and Argentinian women’s teams out onto the field for the final of the Samsung Women’s Champions Trophy. We also have many talented local juniors playing, 4 of which made regional representative school teams, and over 10 making SSWHA rep teams.
We had great success with our trivia and presentation nights. On the field we truly did well. All of our teams made it through to the finals. Our 3rd grade junior girls (Stingers) were to the first to take out their respective grand final 3-0.
The 2nd Grade senior girls (Barracudas), came away Joint Premiers and it was a wonderful end to their season. This was the 2nd year that the Pearls made a grand final. Playing last year for Bosco, the girls headed into another season with Seacliff. Unfortunately they went down in the end but played hard.
Our summer comp will run again in 2010 so keep an eye out for the rego dates in September.
 Our success would not have been possible without the support the Club has attracted from individuals, local businesses, corporate and government support. To name all would be hard, but our major sponsors are NiO, Woolworths Engadine, Helensburgh Coal (Peabody), Mine Workers Union, Helensburgh Workers, DAS Management, Wanderers, Charli Design and Bad Influence Café.
Thanks to all and everyone who made 2009 successful. Rego days for 2010 will be held mid Feb or you can register off the website: www.seacliffhockey.com.au