Dapto junior hockey club
THE Mercury is looking to promote Illawarra and South Coast junior sporting clubs in the My Sporting Club feature as part of our weekly Junior Sport liftout. The profiles will cover as many sports as possible and focus on one club per week. This week we are featuring the history and season ahead of Dapto Junior Hockey Club. If you would like your club to be featured leave your details at our Junior Sport email address: juniorsport@illawarramercury.com.au.
Q: Do you know the year your junior club was formed?
A: Dapto Hockey Club was established in 1978 with one senior men’s team entered in second grade and four junior sides. In 2011 Dapto Hockey Club fielded 11 teams, in men’s, women’s and junior competitions.
Q: What competition/s does your club play in? How many teams/juniors are part of your sporting club?
A: The club enters teams in both the men’s, women’s and junior competitions. In 2013 our club will be represented in men’s first, third, fourth and fifth grades, women’s will be entering two grade teams, and juniors minkeys, under 11s, under 13s, under 15s and under 17’s.
There are approximately 50 juniors playing for our club with some commencing grade hockey also.
Q: What is your club’s nickname or motto?
A:We are affectionately referred to as the Dapto Dogs - proudly supported by Dapto Leagues Club and Lakeline Butchers.
Q: Please tell us about the philosophy or principles that define your club?
A: To experience personal enjoyment, satisfaction, and confidence from both personal and team achievements.
To learn, develop, and refine the fundamental skills of hockey. To blend individuals and their skills into successful team play. To demonstrate good sportsmanship in victory and defeat and to encourage good effort, team spirit, and responsible behaviour.
Q: Please tell us what you believe is the greatest sporting achievement of your club. It may be something recent or in the past.
A: In the past Dapto has achieved premierships in both first grade men and women’s competitions as well and several lower grade premierships
However, more recently in 2011 our under 11s won the B grade final, and the under 13s were defeated in the B grand final. In the senior competition fourth grade won the minor premiership and the grand final and thirds made the minor finals. While lats season we secured the minor premiership in Men’s 3rd grade and they went on to win the grand final. Our women’s team also stormed home from third position to win the grand final. Our under 15’s were defeated in the B division grand final and the under 13’s won the carnival held during the year.
Q: Does your club have any famous juniors or members who have achieved
success as seniors?
A: Simon Beaton was a Dapto junior and has represented at NSW State League and Australian indoor.
Sarah Watson has represented NSW and Australian Country outdoor, plus NSW and Australian indoor.
Jane Clarkson has represented NSW and Australian Country
Q: What are the goals of your club? They can be either short-term or long-term.
A: One of the main goals is to encourage and develop our juniors for the future of the sport.
Q: Tell us a little about the competition you participate in. Would you say it is strong and healthy and how could it be improved?
A: The competition is quite strong with many teams in all age divisions. One thing that could be done is to have hockey clinic days in primary and secondary schools to develop the sport even further.
While the competition is strong and healthy it may benefit from having a broader range of quality players spread over all the clubs.
Q: Does your team/club have a major sporting rival or a particular game each season which is special?
A: Wests. Dapto and Wests are traditional sporting rivals in most sports and hockey is no different.
Q: Are you still looking for players or members to get involved in the club? If so, how do people get in touch about joining up?
A: We are always looking for new players of different abilities and of all ages. Please contact president Brad Boon for further information, on 0439 727 577 or vboon2010@optusnet.com.au>.
Q: If you have anything to add about your club please do so.
A: We field teams across the junior, women’s and men’s competitions and welcome both male and female players of all ages and ability. There is an executive and general committee that assists in all aspects of running the club.