THERE was good news delivered to Limestone Coast hockey players, with the announcement the Lower South East Hockey Association would return to training this week.
Scheduled club training can start as of Monday (May 25) at Blue Lake Sports Park, after the association’s “return-to-training” plan was approved by Hockey SA on Tuesday.
Like all sports during these uncertain times it has been a drawn-out process to reach a conclusion, but frequent contact with the sport’s state body has resulted in a program which will see the LSEHA on track when – and if – the season is approved to kick off.
“Working with Hockey SA we got our plan – it is a level B plan – moving forward,” LSEHA president Lochie Nisbet said.
“They had to approve it, change it and make sure it is all within the government’s strict guidelines.”
Many players have been away from the pitch since the conclusion of the 2019 winter season and as a result there are plenty of eager faces ready to hit the training track.
However, Nisbet said there were mixed emotions, with some itching to return, while others remain sceptical as a season start date is yet to be determined.
As he enters his third year in the presidential role, the 22 year old has had his fair share of challenges.
The problems he has faced have not been seen by past presidents, which has made it difficult to turn to others for advice.
One such problem is something several Limestone Coast sporting competitions have faced, with border restrictions providing an issue.
However, it appears the LSEHA has already cleared that hurdle, with Portland opting to look elsewhere for its hockey fix in 2020.
“We have already been in contact with them and they are happy to not play in our competition this season – they will play in a Warrnambool competition I believe,” Nisbet said.
The LSEHA has a strict regime in place to ensure the safety of players, with similar restrictions to football and soccer – two sports which have returned to training over the last two weeks.
“You are allowed to have 10 people per half with a coach,” Nisbet said.
“You have to split up trainings and we have asked that you keep the 10 people the same every week so there is no interchanging.
“It will prove difficult, but I think the next wave of restrictions we will be able to have 20 people, which will make it a bit easier.”
Further measures include separate entry and exit points to the field and no contact permitted in drills, with training to focus solely on basic skills and passing for now.
Also in place are restrictions on spectators, with only one guardian permitted per junior player, while hand sanitiser will be provided for all in attendance, plus a sign in and out process for each session which is managed by the clubs.
Canteen and bar facilities will remain closed until further notice.
In terms of a return to competition, Nisbet said the LSEHA remains hopeful for a 2020 season to be played.
“We are hoping restrictions will ease enough so we can play, but it is a waiting game like anything,” he said.
“We will know soon enough hopefully.”
The aim is to start the season in early July and Nisbet is confident the work done behind the scenes over the last month will help the association transition into an adjusted 2020 competition,
providing government restrictions allow it to go ahead.
“Its really a case of all the clubs revisiting how their members feel about playing in 2020 and what the teams might look like,” he said.
“We will work with that information in the knowledge that 2020 will be very different from our usual structure.
“Ultimately we all just want to see new and returning players dust off their sticks and come back out to Blue Lake Sports Park where they will be most welcome and encouraged to join in and enjoy the game of hockey.”
