After having a shortened 2020 hockey season due to COVID, Gloucester Hockey Club was hopeful for a run at full 2021 season - but recent flooding of the Manning hockey fields may see another disruption to this season.
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The club started this year with a bit of a struggle getting enough numbers to run a junior side due to the age of players splitting across two divisions. It was, however, comfortably able to put up a men's team.
Training had commenced in the Gloucester Recreation Centre, with players getting ready to take to the field for a Friday April 16 season kick off.
"The team was feeling good about being able play again after a shortened season last year," club committee secretary Dave Keen said.
Then the floods hit Taree overnight on Saturday March 20 and inundated the hockey fields.
According to Manning Hockey Association president Tony Barton, the Taree hockey centre felt the full force of the extreme weather with two of the three fields totally submerged along with the downstairs part of clubhouse.
Initially, Manning Hockey board of management made the decision to close the Taree centre until further notice, pressing the pause button on the season. However, after association officials inspected the three synthetic fields last week, things are starting to look up.
"They're in surprisingly good condition,'' Tony said.
"There's some sediment in the surface while sections of the Allan Taylor Field will have to be re-glued."
But before the season can proceed, the fields need an expert on synthetic surface fields from Hockey NSW to inspect the fields as well as MidCoast Council's health department.
Regardless of the outcome, Gloucester Hockey Club will continue with its indoor training and looks to expand to include an indoor competition.
"We definitely want to start up a junior comp with the option to run a mixed adult comp if there's interest," Dave said.
The plan at this stage is to start the competition after the school holidays.
If you're interested in playing or for more information, contact the Gloucester Hockey Club via its Facebook page or at ghclub17@gmail.com.