Category Archives: Club News

The annual U18 Country Hockey Tours to Malaysia are on again in 2014.

These tours are run by Mike Nelson, a long-time worker for Country Hockey, and provide a great opportunity for players to learn more about other cultures, learn more about their hockey and travel – all at the same time.  Members of our Club, Amy and Luke, enjoyed these last year and found them a great experience.

The tours are aimed at planning and delivering affordable touring opportunities for Country Victoria hockey players, young and old. Tours have included most states in Australia as well as a variety of international locations – Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji and New Zealand.

The 2014 tour will take an U18 Boys and an U18 Girls team to Singapore and Malaysia, from July 4 to 13.  The tour cost is approximately $3600, plus uniform costs.

Tour costs include airfares, insurance, in-country airport transfers & travel, Guides, B&B accommodation, some evening meals and attractions and team costs. Costs listed are indicative and are subject to cost variations and changes to the value of the Australian dollar.

For further information, contact

Michael Nelson       POST:    20 Blackwood Ave.     WY YUNG  Vic 3875

Phone:  0416048680

Email:  mpnelson@bigpond.net.au

Congratulations to Harry Dolenc, who has been selected in the Hockey Victoria U21 Men’s team, following on from his participation in the Victorian U21 Indoor team in 2013.

Harry’s hockey career continues to prosper, and while the Newtown City Hockey Club is proud to take some credit for starting him on this pathway, Harry has earned the rewards of his hard work.

Harry began his hockey career at the age of 5, when he joined the Newtown City Hockey Club and played in the Minkey (Mini-hockey) program at Lloyd Reserve, Newtown.  The program provides a great basis for young players to learn the skills and strategies of hockey, and Harry learnt these lessons well.  Harry has demonstrated a high standard of skill and inspired many of his fellow players over the ensuing years.  A former recipient of the Hockey Geelong John Stephenson Award, Harry has also served as an excellent role model both on and off the field.

Harry has played in Western Wildcats Regional and Victorian Junior Country teams at U13, U15 and U17 levels.  He was selected in the 16 & Under School Sport Victoria team, was named as a reserve for the Australian Schoolboys tour to South Africa, and in 2011, gained selection in the Hockey Victoria U18 Men’s team, playing in the National Championships.  2013 saw a further step in his career when he was selected in the Hockey Victoria U21 Men’s Indoor team.

Harry has played with Altona Hockey Club in the last few years, and is a regular member of their Premier League team.  In addition, we have been very pleased to have Harry continue to play with the Newtown City Hockey Club in the Division 1 Men Newtown Falcons team.  It was especially pleasing to have Harry as part of the team which won the Club’s first Division 1 Men’s Premiership in 2013.

We congratulate Harry on his endeavour and effort and his achievements, and wish him well for the U21 National tournament, to be played June 30 to July 11.

Congratulations to all members on their participation in the 2014 U15 and U18 National Championships.

The U18 Women’s Championships saw Emma Hatton playing in the Victoria Blue (1) team.  The team finished with 2 wins and 1 draw, which was enough to put them into the Bronze Medal match.  A good start in the match saw Victoria score first, and Victoria managed to hold out ACT for a 3-2 win and a Bronze Medal.  This is a great effort as Emma was one of the youngest players in the team.

The U18 Men’s Championships Victorian Blue and White teams included Mack Dolenc, Ryan Parry, Will Crosbie and James Humphries.

Both teams struggled to play all matches to their full potential, but the players enjoyed the experience.  The Victoria (1) team with Ryan and Mack, had 3 wins and 1 draw in their pool matches but lost the semi-final to Queensland 2-4.  They then faced WA in the Bronze Medal final and although they had drawn 2-2 in their pool game, failed to improve on that and lost 5-1.  A couple of nasty injuries to Victorian players in that game didn¹t help.

Ryan and Mack both played well during the Championships.  Ryan always looked dangerous around goals and finished with 4 himself, and Mack’s attack on the ball was outstanding.

Will Crosbie and James Humphries were part of the Victoria (2) team, and although the team had some very tough matches, the final match finished as a draw which went to a penalty shoot out to decide the winner.

Congratulations to Gus McKinnon and the Victorian U15 Boys team who finished with a silver medal.  Gus reports that he enjoyed the tournament immensely, learned heaps and worked super hard. The team ended the tournament with 3 wins and 2 draws and played in the final against NSW.  A fantastic game saw Victoria finish with a very close loss 4-3, in  a match where the result could have gone either way for the whole game! A well deserved Silver medal was the result, the best result for Victoria for a while!

The team was presented with their medals by (Victorian) Kookaburras players – Chris Ciriello, George Bazeley, Glen Simpson and Russell Ford.

A great effort by all – with much to look forward to in future.