Tornadoes announce Hooked in2 Hockey start date

HOCKEY’S winter season is right around the corner and one local club is getting started early as it hopes to build its next wave of juniors.

Torquay Tornadoes Hockey Club will start its yearly Hooked in2 Hockey program, introducing potential junior players to the basics of hockey over five weeks.

Tornadoes vice president Andrew Crowley said the first of five Hooked in2 Hockey sessions will take place on February 28 and end on March 27.

“The program is our best method as a club to recruit players aged between eight and 10-years-old.

“It’s an Australia-wide program that gives clubs from all over the country an opportunity to give kids their first go at hockey.

“This also coincides with our school program where we do school visits, which is all contributing to our excitement for 2024 and the exciting things coming our way.”

The five-week program will cover all the basics necessary for first-time hockey players.

Participants will learn positional skills, stick handling and how to control the hockey ball – all the foundational skills needed to continue the sport into the junior ranks.

Crowley said four of the club’s sides secured premiership glory in 2023.

“Last year was capped off by wins for the Division 1 Men’s, Division 1 Women’s, Under 17s and the Under 12s in the Geelong Hockey League.

“Those successes are pretty much driving the club forward into 2024, so we’ve already set a pretty high benchmark for ourselves.

“However, as a club we’d still like to enter more teams and more players. As it stands, we have over 160 players and 10 teams registered for 2024.

“This program has produced local players that have gone on to represent Victorian and Australian Country teams such as Jaydan Schram and Olivia Jenkins.

“We hope this program can continue to act as an investment for future success across the country.”

To register for Torquay’s Hooked in2 Hockey program, click HERE.