The Footscray Hockey Club has been recognised for its efforts in attracting young players to the sport.
The Yarraville based club was named the HookIn2Hockey club of the year at the Hockey Victoria awards on September 19.
HookIn2Hockey is the sport’s junior participation program designed to get children to take it up and out of 100 participating clubs across the state, Footscray was deemed to have operated it best.
President Nicole Virtuoso was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the club and explained what so impressed the judges.
“The way we do that is we organise free hockey clinics at around 15 local primary schools in and around Yarraville in early term one every year,” said Ms Virtuoso, who estimates that coaches from the club see around 2500 students a week during this period.
From that number, the club invites 150 children to three free come and try sessions.
“We hope to convert over 50 of them into brand new members who play in our under 6, under 8 and under 10 competitions,” she said.
Footscray Hockey Club has been running the HookIn2Hockey program for more than 20 years and Ms Virtuoso can’t imagine the club without it.
“It’s the lifeline of our club that feeds our grassroots programs.”
The club has two come and try sessions for children coming up on October 8 and 15 at 5.30pm.
To inquire about the sessions or to join as a mature age player, contact: come-and-try@footscrayhockey.com.au
