Gloucester Hockey Club has suffered another hit with its fields at Cook Park vandalised over the weekend.
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According to NSW Police, the incident occurred shortly before 1am on Sunday October 24.
Residents in the area reported a white ute with two aerials and a spotlight doing burnouts on the playing fields.
"The vehicle has successfully destroyed the use of the park for hockey games and managed to destroy one of the hockey goals," a resident told the Gloucester Advocate.
It's just another blow for the club that has struggled to see a full season of sport for the past two years due to COVID. The incident cast a dark cloud over the club's recent fundraising barbecue at the Gloucester Golf Club the day before (Saturday October 23).
"We'd had such a good day at the golf club with lots of members and players providing donations in support of hockey," Gloucester Hockey Club secretary Dave Keen said. "To find out the next morning that the fields had been severally damaged and one of the goals had been completely destroyed was disappointing.
"Even though we managed to raise $255 it won't come close to the cost of purchasing a new goal," Dave said.
Dave said the local police have been really helpful and are on the look out for the culprits involved in the incident.
He went to the fields on Monday afternoon with local junior hockey competition coordinator, Ollie Rinkin to assess the damage.
"Because the grounds were so wet from the rain over the past few days, the vehicle's tyres have dug deep ruts into the playing surface."
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Dave said the general feeling from the neighbours surrounding the park is disgust and anger over the incident.
The Gloucester Hockey Club uses Cook Park for its junior competition. The season normally runs from March until September.
"One saving grace is that the season is finished for the year," Dave said.
MidCoast Council has also been in touch with the club.
A spokesperson from council said that repairs to the grounds will start from Wednesday (October 27).
"The damaged areas will be in good condition for the next hockey season commencing in March 2022."
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.
