Archive for August, 2010

Help us celebrate our 2010 Senior Presentation Night at the Manningham Hotel on the 29th October. The night promises to be one to remember, with hors d’oevres on arrival followed by a three-course meal inclusive of beer, wine, soft drinks and entertainment throughout the evening.

• Time: 7.15pm arrival for 7.30pm
• Dress: After 5
• Tickets $85 including all food and drinks

Please contact us confirming your attendance for table arrangements by downloading and returning a ticket order form.

Now that the reguar season is almost over, its time to start thinking about indoor hockey. For the juniors, teams are being considered for U11, U13, U15, U17 competitions available depending on the level of interest. Where there is not enough boys/girls for a team there are mixed competitions. We are also looking for coaches for these teams.

Senior men and women interested in playing indoor need to contact their respective president, Don Larter or Danita Eastman.

Teams will be finalised and entered this Friday the 3rd September so you need to think quickly and register your interest.

More information, enquiries and registration of interest can about indoor hockey can be made to Brian Maddock via email at indoor@waverleyhc.org.au.

Round 17 saw the Met 2 North panthers take on its toughest opponent in 2nd place Doncaster. This game would decide who won the minor premiership and be promoted to Met 1 in 2011.

On a warm day the game started well with a back and forward tussle between the midfields producing some good hockey. David HOWSON started the game well and didn’t stop all game. He was well supported by Rudy LAMEJIN and Ben HOCKING in making some good runs but also supporting the defence as well.

The panthers had the most of the possession to start with but Doncaster defended well to repel our attacks, they then turned this into attack by gaining a free hit on the top and the centre half slipping a pass to the right for a good shot to go past Dion STERGIOU’S pads for Doncaster to go 1 up.

I have no idea how it happened but Benny HOCKING scored a goal to put us even at 1-1.

The game continued but neither team was able to gain any ascendency. Some minor discipline issues started to come out and captain Daniel DOBBINS bore the brunt of the umpire by spending some time on the bench before half time.

The 2nd half started well and again the play was free flowing. Waverley was able to obtain a short corner. Greg STRYDOM stepped up to the mark and put a direct shot through the keepers pads to put us up 2-1. Doncaster were able to hit back quickly and level the game 2-2. Doncaster again scored to put the game at 3-2.

Waverley gained another short corner and I called a variation, but Rudy reminded me that he hadn’t had a flick yet, so I said go for it. He was able to put the ball to the keepers right and into the net for 3-3.

Some more disciplinary issues sprung up with Ben HOCKING and Rohan JOSHNA spending time on the bench. The game stayed that way to the end with a draw a fitting result.

A massive thanks to Ian HOCKING for coming to umpire in a big and important game.

All that is required this week is a draw against 4th placed Maccabi to obtain the minor premiership. Here’s hoping.

Waverley Hockey Clubs top men’s side took one step closer this weekend towards playing a significant role in Victoria’s most elite competition, State League 1 (SL1).

With the Australian Hockey League (AHL) this year being played intermittently throughout the regular SL1 season, many games have been moved around to accommodate sides that have a number of players representing their state. As a result of this, a number of the clubs in the SL1 top 4 have already played all 18 rounds of the regular season, with ladder points and goal difference already decided. Prior to the commencement of round 17 saw Waverley sitting 4th on the SL1 ladder, although only 2 points separated 1st to 4th.

Coming up against a solid opponent, in MCC, this was a must win game for the club. Waverley were missing two of their stars from the midfield and forward line due to AHL commitments, however, the players that replaced them in the side this weekend took their opportunities and played a significant role on the day. The venue for Saturday’s encounter was played at Victoria’s premium hockey facility, the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville.

Waverley started the game well, controlling the play early. Firm ball movement around the back and hard running up front saw the Panthers get early an pay off through a short corner. From this, the Panthers were able to put their first goal on the board through Tim Thompson, whom put the ball in the top of the net. Not long after this, Waverley made it 2-0 through their highest goal scorer of the season, Aaron ‘sparrow’ Swindells, which brings his tally to 12.

At this point, the momentum began to change a little with MCC having multiple attacking plays. Eventually this resulted in a short corner, which was converted, making the score 2-1. As Waverley slowly regained ascendancy late in the first half, the panther’s key short corner weapon, Steve Jarvis, stepped up to the plate and delivered what was required. At the half time break, the score line stood at Waverley 3, MCC1.

After a stirring half time talk from coach Zac Hawes, the Panthers took to the pitch with renewed desire and vigor. With multiple attacking plays early in the second half, Waverley went without reward for some time. With 15 minutes remaining in the game, however, Luke Anthony was able to run around behind the MCC defence and along the base line and give a perfectly weighted cross to Nick Dallimore who put away the opportunity to make it 4-1. With Waverley firmly in the drivers seat, 5 minutes later saw Nick Dallimore again with possession of the ball inside the attacking circle, but this time he returned the favour and passed to Luke Anthony on the post to seal the game at 5-1.

This result means that Waverley are only one game away from finishing in the top 4 and playing a significant role in the SL1 finals in 2010. The top 4 sides are so close on points, however, that a win in round 18 will mean Waverley finishes 1st but a loss puts them 5th and out of the finals. This massive game will see the Panthers take on Essendon at Essendon on Saturday at 3.30 pm.

Recent reports have lamented defensive lapses, missed goal scoring chances and lost opportunities to win games that would have helped the Waverley Under 17 Shield team to secure a position in the final four. The performance of the team in this Round 16 clash against top of the table TEM was in stark contrast to these reports – it was a game in which every player displayed focus, applied himself and made a significant contribution.

Some of the highlights of this game included:

• A magnificent performance by Ben Wilkinson in goal. There is no doubt that the result would have been very different had it not been for his numerous spectacular saves.
• A lead by example performance from David Jensen (Captain).
• Sensational running from David Howson that saw him continually break through the TEM lines.
• The wonderful defensive pressure, hard running and creative ball movement from Todd Cope, Zac Davis, Patrick Rawlins, Stuart Rayner and Jonathan Wentworth that consistently halted TEM forays forward and subsequently set up many Waverley offensive moves.

First Half

Goal 1: Unlike previous weeks, it was the Waverley team that put early scoreboard pressure on the opposition when a brilliant David Jensen run resulted in the ball being moved into the circle to Nicholas Spencer. Nick’s precise pass to James Munro on the spot resulted in an excellent flick into the back of the goal.

Goal 2: Some skilful stick work saw a number of TEM players eliminated with the subsequent back stick pass from Munro finding a well positioned Elliot Kitchingham. With poise, Elliot clinically slotted the ball home.
Following a dominant performance in the first half that resulted in a 2-0 score, some in the crowd were no doubt waiting for a lapse that would allow Waverley’s highly fancied opposition to assert itself. However this was not to be as the boys entered the second half fray with even greater determination and application.

Second Half

Goal 3: A disciplined offensive play was rewarded with a short corner. Waverley grasped this chance via an excellent penalty corner drag, clean trap and powerful drag flick by Munro into the top left hand corner of the net.

Goal 4: Tomahawk specialist, Riley Maddock produced another gem as his powerful shot beat the TEM goalkeeper and enabled Waverley to stamp its authority on the game.

Goal 5: A clean trap, deft stick skills and a low flick were the ingredients employed by Nick Steffens to score a classy goal.

Goal 6: Nicholas Spencer completed the Waverley performance when he was rewarded for his extraordinary hard work throughout the game. Nick kept a cool head in the circle and used fine finishing skills to score an excellent goal.

The Team: Todd Cope, Zac Davis, David Howson, David Jensen (Captain), Elliot Kitchingham, Riley Maddock, James Munro, Patrick Rawlins, Stuart Rayner, Nicholas Spencer, Nicholas Steffens, Jonathan Wentworth and Ben Wilkinson.

Zac is demanding a sea of Navy at Essendon Hockey field this week!! State League Men have the opportunity to take the Minor Premiership with a win this weekend.

The “opportunity” is also earning the right for the all important double chance in the the 2010 finals series.

Zac is calling all young and old to support the SL1 “Panthers” at 3.30pm @ Eseendon.

If you also take a look at the website you will see that there are other games in which Waverley are playing
this Saturday, so please get along and show your loud and passionate support.

Regards

Chief Zac

Navy Blue & White Force required to mobilise at Essendon this Saturday

To close out the home & away season there are 5 Waverley teams playing Essendon from 12.30pm to 5.00pm. The Club needs your support for the afternoon to encourage our teams in some critical matches.

12.30pm ES2 – Men’s Pennant B

(7th vs 10th) As the curtain raiser get there early to support this youthful up and coming team (+Zac)

12.30pm ES1 – Women’s Pennant A

(2nd vs 5th) A win will consolidate the team in second position

2.00pm ES1 – Women’s State League 1

(1st vs 2nd) A win or draw will consolidate top spot

3.30pm ES1 – Men’s State League 1

(2nd vs 5th) As with the Federal Election the State League competition is on a knife edge. A win will put the boys on top, a draw will have them 2nd or 3rd and just like Tony & Julia we don’t wish to entertain any other result.

5.00pm ES1 – Men’s Pennant A

(2nd vs 9th) A win will consolidate 2nd position with a mathematical possibility of top spot.

With 3 rounds to go the Panthers played 7th placed Box Hill at their home ground. The game had extra sting with Box Hill being the ex-club of captain Daniel DOBBINS.
In a cold day the game started with both teams feeling each other out. Box Hill were able to gain the upper hand by scoring the first 2 goals.
Sam McPHILLIPS was able to peg one back by a decent flick from a short corner.
We suffered another loss when veteran Simone LEUNG rolled an ankle and was out for the rest of the game.
Half time came and we were 2-1 down. A semi spray and some adjustments were made hoping to push the game back into our favour.
Waverley started to take the ascendency and use the pressure to get more scoring shots. We were able to get more short corners. And finally able to score of them with Daniel DOBBINS and Sam Mc PHILLIPS able to convert 2 more corners.
The pressure was kept on and Darryl SEEDSMAN and Greg STRYDOM able to put away an extra 2 goals with the final score 5-3.
Next week’s game against Doncaster the game to decide the minor premiership and to see who gets promoted to Met 1 in 2011.

Looking to earn some extra cash? We are looking for coaches to work with Australian Sports Commission on their Active After-school Communities program. We are currently running Term 3 programs at Pinewood, Albany Rise & Keysborough Primary Schools.

Each term has 7 weekly 1 hour sessions. Payment is approx $450.00 per term (depending on participating numbers). Generally the program runs from 4pm – 5pm in most schools. Days can sometimes be manipulated around what availability coaches have and ASC are happy to work with us to achieve an outcome for our coaches in regards to this. Info on program can be found is available on their website. You must complete the ASC Community Coach Training Program (CCTP), info on this and term 4 sessions is below.

Term 4 brochure

Enrolement form

Fact sheet