2014 donny newsletter - Doncaster Hockey Club

2014 DONNY NEWSLETTER
This year is Doncaster’s 40th year as a Hockey club. In 2014 the club celebrated this milestone with a
number of events. These included:
ANZAC DAY MATCHES: First time ever-Men and Women Premier League vs Essendon
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS DINNER- An event which included the reuniting of past and present families
and friends to celebrate our 40th year anniversary was held on 23 July. An opportunity to reflect on our
proud family history which is what makes us a strong club.
TEAM OF 40 YEARS- The best men and women’s team over the 40 year period was announced at the
anniversary dinner.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM- Through funding received from Bendigo Bank, the club was proud to
introduce its Youth Leadership Program for our young leaders,
FAIR GO SPORT ROUND- (FGS) is a Hockey Victoria initiative where clubs can celebrate inclusion and
sexual and gender diversity.
LADIES DAY- was held on August 16 where the club celebrates the achievements and contributions of
women and girls in sport. A great day of hockey, Devonshire tea, and a great way to catch up with
friends and family and watch some quality hockey
SURVIVOR DAY- One of Doncaster’s biggest social events of the year, was held on August 23rd! It’s a
great family day, with loads of prizes, BBQ, facepainting and exciting hockey matches.
VOLUNTEER DINNER- over 120 VOLUNTEERS attended our thank you volunteer’s dinner on August 31an evening which is used as a way to show our thanks for their work and support they give to the club.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF DONCASTER HOCKEY CLUB
In October 1973 a small group of hockey players living in the Doncaster and Templestowe area met
to discuss the possible formation of a hockey club to represent the area and cater for the needs of
the residents which is how it all began.
After a year of negotiating with the local Council, Timber Ridge Reserve was used as a temporary
grass hockey field in 1974. It was on March 25th 1974 that a special General Meeting was held and
the first Executive Committee elected. Soon after, Council approved the development of a hockey
pitch at George St reserve. In 1974 the club fielded 2 senior mens teams and 3 junior teams. In 2014
we fielded: 7 mens, 6 womens, 4 Masters, 17 junior teams plus 60 Hook in2Hockey kids and 25 midweek ladies.
Some Milestones
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First hockey club in Australia to introduce coloured shorts (previously only black or white shorts
were used)
Introduced the concept of “minkey” (six-a-side hockey on a smaller field for under elevens) then
called “Little Hockey”, two years before it was embraced at a State level.
First club in Australia to control a synthetic grass field (sand-filled 1985)- now at Mullum Mullum
Reserve
First club in Victoria to control a water-filled synthetic grass field. (1999).
First Victorian club to employ a junior development officer (2007) and assistant junior
development officer (2010)
First club in Victoria to control a hybrid synthetic surface able to be watered (2008)
First Victorian club to employ a full-time Club Operations Manager (2011)
Produced 5 Olympians
Doncasters first Mens team in 1974
40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
On 23 July, DHC celebrated its 40th anniversary by having a cocktail party. The night included the
naming of 40 year teams for both men’s and women’s, memorabilia of Doncaster Hockey Club and
talks from club Olympians. The re-uniting of past and present families and friends and an
opportunity to reflect on our proud family history which is what makes us a strong club.
Life members of DHC were welcomed by President Rob Henry
Mens and Womens Teams of 40 Years
Position
GK
Back
Back
RHB
CHB
LHB
Wing
Inner
CF
Inner
Wing
Reserve
Reserve
Reserve
Reserve
Reserve
Coach
DONCASTER HOCKEY CLUB TEAM OF 40 YEARS
WOMEN
MEN
Michelle Flouch
Kieran
Whelan
Sally
Cox
Matt
Warner
Sam
Snow
Matt
Woolsey
Justine Cook (Hiskins)
Chris
Ciriello
Kim
Crane (Rayner)
Lachlan
Elmer
Rachel
Hiskins
John
Shaw
Heather Cock
David
Shaw
Helen
Padget (Capt.)
James
Elmer
Hayley
Padget
John
Woolsey
Sally
Carbon
Russell
Ford
Sally
Bell (Davies)
Andrew
Smith (Capt.)
Meg
Pearce
Andrew
Hodder
Kris
Tulloch (McGrath) Jeremy
Hiskins
Marie
Szmalko (Dawes) Craig
Timothy
Emma
Pearce
Stuart
Todero
Lisa
Blake (GK)
Jason
Manos
Victor
Romagosa
Cameron Muir
LIFE MEMBERS NOMINATED
There are a significant number of players and members who have been at the club for many years,
however there are only two players who have played every year since the club first began.
Richard Wright(left) and John Hamilton(right) are the only 2 members to have played 40 seasons at
DHC. Both have also contributed to the club in many ways including BBQ master, Men’s Secretary,
Masters Coordinator, Captains. This year, John Hamilton and Richard Wright have been nominated
to be Life Members.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
A program about empowering young people to take the lead on and off the field. Doncaster Hockey
Club is proud to have launched the Youth Leadership Program in 2014.The Program was proudly
supported by Bendigo Bank, and included two elements: an awards program which provides
pathways that encourages, recognises and rewards the leadership roles undertaken by young club
members in different facets of club involvement such as coaching, umpiring and administration.
Secondly, young people had the opportunity to listen to high profiled athletes talk about resilience,
Leadership and communication. Special Guests included of: Mike Spears-NBA Basketballer,
Monnette Russo-Olympian Gymnast and Rowie Webster Olympian water polo player.
Mike Spears and the Donny Youth Leaders
Youth Leaders receive their awards
FAIR GO SPORT ROUND(FGS)
Doncaster Hockey Club was one of the original clubs to support Hockey Victoria's Fair Go Sport!
initiative which encourages clubs to celebrate sexual and gender diversity and the importance of
creating safe, welcoming and inclusive environments within the sport of hockey.
This year Doncaster's Metro Men's and Women's teams and the Men's Pennant C team got into the
spirit of the occasion by donning the rainbow socks, presenting Fair Go, Sport! wrist bands to
opposition teams, and medals to the best and fairest player of the match. Teams then shared an
afternoon tea with opposition visitors.
Women’s Metro 2 after a 3-1 win against Sandringham
Mens Metro 2 after a 2-2 draw against Waverley
STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES 2014
In 2014 the following Doncaster players were selected in a number of State and National teams:
 Russell Ford and Chris Ciriello - selection into 2014 Australian Kookaburra team
 Samantha Snow -Australia A team
 2014 Victorian Senior Mens Vikings: Russell Ford, Kiran Arunasalam, Chris Ciriello and
Jayshaan Randhawa
 2014 Victorian Vipers Womens team: Meg Pearce, Hayley Padget and Sam Snow
 Josh Simmonds- Australian Futures squad
 Thomas Saunders Under 16 Australian Schoolboys and Ryan Nangle (Shadow)
 2014 Under 21 state teams 8 players
 Junior State teams 38 representatives
Chris Ciriello( the big dog ) at the Commonwealth games
in Glasgow 2014 where the Kookaburras won gold
Donny AHL players- Kiran, Sam, Hayley, Liz, Meg and Jay
LADIES DAY
Under 8 &10 girls were player mascots for the Premier League Team on Ladies Day
Ladies Day at Donny is a day where we celebrate Women and girls in our sport. It is a great
opportunity to meet, socialise and celebrate the contributions to hockey from women and girls,
whether it be as Managers, Coaches, Officials, players, administrators, spectators and taxi drivers. It
was held on Saturday 16th August. Thank you to Bendigo Bank who sponsored the player of the
match award.
Maria Romagosa and Izzy Peskett receive their awards from Bendigo Banks Ray Lord
MID-WEEK LADIES HOCKEY
In 2014 our Mid-week Ladies program continued for its 4th year with a consistent and active group of
participants. The program is believed to be the only program of its kind in the world, and mostly
attracts mums and women who have never played hockey before.
TEAM RESULTS
In 2014 six junior teams, six senior teams and 2 Masters teams made finals. One team came away
with a Premiership, with 4 teams finishing as Runners Up.
UNDER 16 DISTRICT- PREMIERS. Undefeated all season and won their final 3-0 vs Box Hill
UNDER 12A MIXED SHIELD-RUNNERS UPU12A Mixed Shield played Camberwell in the grand final and having lost to them 9-0 in Round 1, it
was always going to be tough. However in the final they drew 0-0 after extra time, but finished
Runners Up as they were lower on the ladder.
UNDER 16A MIXED SHIELD –RUNNERS UP- a talented team who were outclassed in the Final vs
Camberwell 4-0.
MEN’S MASTERS 45+A- RUNNERS UP- lost 1-0 to Camberwell in the Grand Final
WOMENS PREMIER LEAGUE- finished 7th
MENS PREMIER LEAGUE - Finished 5th just missing out on finals by 1 point
Mens 35+C finished just outside the four
SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT
On Friday 26th of September DHC will celebrate the senior side of the hockey club. It is a great way of
looking back over the 2014 season and celebrating all the highlights. Best player, Coaches awards
and Chairperson Awards are presented. In addition it is a great way of including and thanking our
valued sponsors.
SURVIVOR DAY
Doncaster’s major fundraising event, a reverse raffle was held on Saturday 23rd August. The day was
held in conjunction with Premier League matches vs Greensborough. Not only was it a great match
against the Burra but the best drag flick artist in the world, Kookaburra and Donny player Chris
Ciriello, returned from Perth to put on his Doncaster colours and play for the Dons in the Mens
Premier League match. Unfortunately the opposition were too strong on the day with
Greensborough winning 4-3. Thanks to our sponsors Cobram Estate and Fletchers who donated spot
prizes on the day.
Chris Ciriello in action at Donny
MINI PITCH OFFICIAL OPENING
Doncaster Hockey Club’s Multi-purpose mini pitch was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor
Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos and MP Mary Wooldridge on 23rd August. The mini-pitch has been
delivered by Manningham City Council with financial assistance from The Victorian Government and
Doncaster Hockey Club. It already is proving to be well utilised for small group training,
development clinics and fitness sessions.
Official opening of min pitch with Mayor,
Ciriello, Rob Henry and Mary Wooldridge
Chris Ciriello explains his drag flick techniques
to Juniors on the new mini pitch
END OF SEASON –THANK YOU VOLUNTEER DINNER
As a way of celebrating the 2014 winter season Doncaster Hockey Club hosted a Roast Dinner to say
'thank you' to the many volunteers of our club who have contributed to the smooth and effective
running of the club.
The evening was a relaxed affair and included the opportunity to mix with others, farewell our
overseas playing visitors, and a chance to say thank you.
Our calculations indicated that we have over 140 people who have significantly contributed to the
operations of the club this year and whom without their efforts we would not have a club.
Some of the Volunteers who enjoyed the dinner
HOCKEY VICTORIA AWARDS NIGHT
Four Doncaster members were acknowledged at the Hockey Victoria Awards night on 17 th
September. Andrea Snow was a finalist for the female administrator of the Year, while Kiran
Arunalsam, Samantha Snow and Jay Randhawa were named in the HV All Star team for 2014.
LtoR Kiran Arunasalam, Sam Snow, Andrea Snow and Jay Randhawa
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS