Pounce into hockey with Bobcats

YOUNG people looking for a new sport to try are invited to have a go at hockey at Russell Square.

Bobcats Hockey Club are running junior come-and-try evenings this term on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 6.15pm at the park, while the Prince of Wales hockey facility is being upgraded.

“The aim of the sessions is to promote participation in sport and skill development for children aged five to 12,” Bobcats president Thane Bourne said.

“Our club is all about creating opportunities to be physically active, giving people a chance to get out and learn some new skills, and to meet new people.

“We’ve found that the best time for people to get started with that is when they’re kids, so that’s what the come-and-try sessions are all about.

“Hopefully it can be the beginning of a lifelong journey in the sport, and being a young club, we’re wanting to build that culture. Hockey is a game you can play for your entire life.”

Mr Bourne said the importance of participation and opportunity is written in the Bobcats’ code of conduct.

“Winning is a nice by-product of what happens off the field, and the work you put in at training,” he said.

“Our focus is around creating a very inclusive culture, and a social space to hang out with friends, and to meet new ones.

“It’s a place where you can relax.”

Come-and-try attendees can meet on the netball courts at Russell Square. Adults are more than welcome to head along and meet club members too, if they’re interested to join.

“Having started as a single men’s team in the local Hockey Ballarat competition, Bobcats has grown to the point that last year the club fielded nine teams across all grades of hockey in Ballarat; under 8, all the way up to division one men and women,” Mr Bourne said.

“Bobcats is a young club, having only been in existence since 2016, but in the short time the club has been in existence, Bobcats players have represented and won championships at the Junior Country Championships and Senior Country Championships representing Ballarat.

“They have won premierships for WestVic in the Melbourne metro competition, represented Victoria at national underage championships, and even Australia at the recent Hockey 5s World Cup in Oman.”

The program is free and all equipment, except for mouthguards, are supplied. Contact 0481 709 418 or [email protected] with any questions.