When Barrington Public School teacher Dave Keen saw the list for the planned 2021 hockey gala day, he decided Gloucester needed to be added.
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"Each year, sporting bodies send out a list of gala days and events. For hockey, the closest was in Taree," Dave said.
As a Gloucester Hockey Club member, Dave knew there might be a few young people interested, so he contacted Hockey NSW and proposed a Gloucester gala day.
Hockey NSW agreed to hold the event if Dave organised the grounds and the students to attend.
He sent out a message to the schools in the region and on Tuesday, May 4, around 90 primary school students from Barrington, Gloucester, St Joseph's, Stroud Road and Stratford spent that day at Cook Park.
Gloucester High School was even represented with five sports coaching students coming along to help out.
The day kick off with a bit of skills training and progressing into game play.
"With sports like hockey, they tend to miss out because people might think it's more complicated than it is," Dave said.
"From a fundamental point of view and based on what we teach in primary, the extra technical skills and coordination really helps the students."
Everyone seemed to have a great day and Hockey NSW was really pleased with the number of children taking an interest in hockey.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
