JOIN THE CLUB: Sticking to hockey

THE CLIMPSON clan and hockey are synonymous in Geelong.
At one stage 37 members of the family had taken up the sport, ranging from juniors to seniors and veterans.
“It just shows there’s a spot for anyone in hockey,” declared Alan, who is also Hockey Geelong’s president.
Alan has played the game since he was 19, when he reluctantly taxied his sister to hockey training one evening.
“The men’s side was short and the coach convinced me to fill in, so I had a go and ended up enjoying it so much I gave away football.”
While Alan is a relaxed, genial bloke, there is no doubt that hockey is his passion.
“I took on the presidency because we desperately need a second hockey pitch at Stead Park and I’ve been working hard on that.
“It’s been included in the master plan and Hockey Geelong is putting in $250,000 but we need government funding as well because the total cost is $1.8 million.
“Once we have a second pitch we can host state championships, juniors and masters tournaments and it will be a boost to the local economy as well.
“We’re at capacity now but there are strong opportunities for growth here, as there is in Torquay.
“Geelong is now a focal point for Hockey Victoria as a growth and development area. Torquay had only one team three years ago and new have five junior sides and a senior team, while Golden Plains will have a team coming in and possibly also one from Leopold.
“While we have excellent facilities at Stead Park we have a range of teams playing, from juniors at under-10s to under-17s and senior men’s and women’s and veterans teams.
“We have two veterans’ sides now and will probably expand to three or four next year. We also have representative teams playing in Melbourne who need to train.
Alan said many former players were returning to the sport after their families had grown up.
“Old hockey players like me still see some life in the body,” he chuckled.
Alan said the newer synthetic surfaces had proved a boon for hockey, creating a more-fluent, cleaner and flowing game, enjoyed by both players and spectators.
“There are clear pathways to state and national selection and ultimately to the Kookaburras, who have just won their fifth Champions Trophy.
“We scored a coup by signing ex-Australian player Andrew Smith as our new coach. Andrew played 119 games for Australia and has moved to Geelong.
“We already have five or six juniors who are state players, we have the current Australian masters captain Phil Frost and Geelong hosts the annual country women’s championships.”
Alan said anyone interested in trying hockey could visit hockeygeelong.asn.au or phone him on 0400 047 133.