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.

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

As the Waverley Under 17 Shield team lined up for its clash against Essendon, it was aware that its path to the finals was an extremely challenging one in that it was required to beat three top four teams in the last four rounds of the home and away season to qualify. Making this contest even more daunting was the fact that Essendon had comprehensively outplayed Waverley to record a 5 – 1 win when the teams met in Round 6.

With both teams reduced to 12 players as a result of Under 16 VSSSA team commitments and illness, this game was expected to be a battle of endurance and concentration ……….. and so it turned out to be.

As has been its want in recent games, Waverley spent most of the game playing catch-up when it conceded a goal in the opening minutes of the game and another in the early stages of the second half. Waverley was also forced to work hard throughout to defend the numerous short-corners created by Essendon’s ability to penetrate its circle.

While the home team battled tenaciously to press the Essendon ball carriers with a view to creating scoreboard pressure, it was unable – with the exception of a fine Jonathan Wentworth finishing touch during the second half – to make the most of the opportunities it created.

The Waverley boys are to be commended on their preparedness to give their all in what was a hard fought 2 – 1 loss.

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

Hockey Victoria invites all Under 13 & Under 15 Goal Keepers to participate in the specialised 2010 NAB Goal Keeper Development Program.

Whilst there will be NO TRIALS, places are limited so participants must register early. REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2010. Coaches: Head Coach: Michelle Flouch (VIS GK coach) Group Coaches: SL1, VIS and State Goal Keepers Proposed Program •    Participants will be placed into groups of no more than 6-7 GKs

Date	Venue	Time (arrive 30mins prior)	Program
Sun 3rd October	Essendon HC	11.00am-12.15pm	Equipment checklist, Clearance -1 Mobility
Sun 10th October	SNHC	11.00am-12.15pm	Clearance -2 Aerial saves
Sun 17th October	SNHC	11.00am-12.15pm	Positioning/movement Penalty corners Defending the drag flick (under 15 groups only)
Sun 24th October	SNHC	11.00am-12.15pm	Defending penalty strokes Shooting Defending deflections (only for the U15 group)

Click here for more information including registration form

Waverley entered this Round 13 clash with Southern United fully aware that top four positions may well be decided by goal difference. Thus, no moment in any game for the remainder of the season can be taken for granted. In light of this, a scrappy 5 – 4 victory against an opponent placed well below it on the ladder was a somewhat disappointing outcome for the team.

The Waverley boys were on the back foot from the outset when a determined and aggressive Southern United tested the poise and composure of Waverley’s defensive unit. During this period of the game Southern United was able to ‘fire’ a number of dangerous balls into its circle and across the face of goal. Eventually this pressure resulted in a goal that gave the home team the early lead.

The scoreboard pressure created by the aforementioned goal was heightened when Waverley failed to convert a penalty stroke. Fortunately, Waverley put itself back into the game when a scramble in the circle led to a powerful flick finding its way into the roof of the net. At this point Waverley was able to wrest back the momentum, and with it came a number of excellent scoring shots:

• David Howson celebrated his first Under 17 goal when he positioned himself wonderfully on the post and skilfully deflected the ball home.
• David Jensen scored twice. The first of these came from an excellent flick from the spot, while the latter was the result of a powerful fore-stick hit during a short corner play.
• Goal scoring machine Riley Maddock scored via a well executed drag flick.

Even though the team played well below its best, the margin could have been greater had it not been for a number of passing and defensive lapses in the closing stages of the game that provided Southern United with goal scoring opportunities that enabled it to bridge the gap.

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

The annual Waverley Hockey Club $1000 Club Day is upon us once again and is shaping up to be a great day around the club. WHC looks forward to playing five exciting games against Doncaster HC, hosting a luncheon for our current sponsors as well as socialising with a number of council members: local, state and federal.

WHEN – Saturday 31st July from 11PM.

TICKETS – $30 ticket for entry into the $1000 draw, two drinks of your choice and a sausage.

TARGET 1000 – Let’s aim for 1000 people to come through those gates on Saturday to show the proud and dominant force that Waverley HC is.

The day kicks off strongly with our two impressive under 9’s teams taking the field against Doncaster’s best under 9’s. The Under 9 Panthers will be looking to cement their 1st and 2nd places on the ladder – The next generation look strong! The club encourages parents and their kids to stay on for the day – We are supplying two jumping castles and have a Cub Card available for purchase on the day.

Cub Cards – $5 will get the kids one soft drink, a sausage and unlimited time on our two jumping castles.

Following will be an 120 strong minkey brigade taking the field to showcase the future of the club. Club members from State League 1, Pennant A and B will be down to help out coaching the minkeys program from 10:30am. Doncaster minkeys are also making the trek to Waverley HC to join in the fun. Again the club encourages the minkeys to stick around and to make use of the Cub Card!

WHC will welcome sponsors, supporters and council members at 12:00 noon to the club for a great day of socialising, food and hockey!

The third placed Pennant A Men will be looking for a win against the fourth placed Doncaster at 12:30pm – A win could potentially boost the team to first place!

2:00pm will showcase the clubs best Men’s talent with the State League 1 taking the field against Doncaster. The boy’s are coming off a strong win against Greensborough at home. They will ensure a fast paced, skillful and exciting game for the the home crowd to enjoy.

3:00pm Will see the $1000 draw begin, make sure you have tickets (ONLY $30!).

3:30pm the third placed Women’s Pennant A team will take on second placed Doncaster in what should be a well fought match to cement a finals spot!

5:00pm will showcase the final match of the day with the Pennant D Women looking to knock off a lowly PEGS to ensure a finals berth coming into the business end of the season.

Remember to show your support by getting down for the day to ensure we reach TARGET 1000.

Look forward to seeing you there

Congratulations to Brayden Lyon, Ryan Jones, Damon Steffens, Liam Alards and Emilio Fernandez, who were selected in the Under 13 State Hockey Team what a fantastic effort!

http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=581&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=8da35d46d5

Waverley is one of five teams vying for top four honours and the right to contest finals in the Under 17 Shield competition. Thus, the Round 11 match against Camberwell was one that offered Waverley the opportunity to put a game break between it and one of its closest rivals.

The early dominance of the Waverley team initially paid dividends when Riley Maddock – on the end of an excellent transition play that saw the ball passed the length of the field – shimmied his way through the circle to slot a goal past a despairing goalie. Unfortunately, a combination of Waverley’s failure to convert its high level of possession into goals and a late goal by Camberwell, left the team with no advantage to show for its efforts.

While Riley put Waverley back in the lead with a wonderful opportunist goal during the course of a short corner play, the second half was notable for the number of excellent goal scoring opportunities that were missed and the chance to exert scoreboard pressure on the opposition that was squandered. This left Waverley vulnerable when, in the closing phase of the game, it failed to maintain its adherence to the game plan and allowed the momentum to shift in favour of Camberwell. The consequence of this was two Camberwell goals and an opportunity lost.

Waverley remains in the hunt for a final’s position, but greater focus and discipline will be required if the team is to realise its full potential.

The Higgins Bakery Pie drive forms, raising money for new lights at the club are due in this week.  Please hand in your forms and money at the canteen where Cath Castle will pass these on to Higgins Bakery.

If you have lost your form and would another, please email tnbrooks@gmail.com and one will be forwarded to you.

Thanks for supporting the club.

Following an outstanding win over Greensborough H.C. the previous week, a match up against a Baw Baw H.C. team that had improved throughout the season, was potentially a dangerous assignment for the Waverley H.C Under 17 Shield team.

Perhaps in recognition of this, innovative coach Stephen James drew on the talents of former Australian player and current State League 1 Captain Travis Brooks to address the team prior to the game. Travis’ engaging style helped to focus the players on the importance of self-belief and the need to adhere to team processes regardless of the reputation of the opposition or the state of the game.

Once again, the team placed enormous pressure on the ball from the outset, forcing the opposition into turning over possession and then using its speed and quality passing to create opportunities on goal – culminating in a 9 – 0 win. The players responsible for putting the finishing touches on this hard work included James Knee, Jonathan Wentworth, David Jensen, Riley Maddock (3) and James Munro (3). With James showing Riley that power is not everything when it comes to scoring.

As with the previous match, this outcome was, without doubt, the result of a sensational team performance in which each and every player made a significant contribution:

• Todd Cope was a rock down back continually making good defensive position and laying excellent tackles
• Playing at centre half, Zac Davis used the ball creatively to set up many quality plays
• David Howson’s speed and hard running caused havoc up forward
• Elliot Kitchingham’s consistent tackling and team orientated play made him a player upon whom his team mates were able to rely
• Pat Rawlins’ determination and skills forced a number of key turnovers – at least one of which directly resulted in a goal
• Stuart Rayner’s controlled aggression enabled him to dominate the right side of the field
• Andre Shea – on debut in goal with the Shield team – performed admirably pulling off a number of excellent saves. Well done Andre.
• Nick Spencer’s speed and constructive talk contributed significantly to the team’s focus
• Having suffered from illness all week, Nick Steffens’ work ethic throughout the night was not only a gutsy effort, but a source of inspiration to his team.