Mount Isa hockey is raring to go for 2017 after a sign-on day attracted good numbers to the Sunset Parade hockey grounds for all four clubs in the local competition.
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Hockey is a great sport for men and women of all ages and Mount Isa Hockey Association president Mal Kleinman said the four clubs – Aces, Pirates, T-Birds and Hornets - shared a sign-on day with the association.
“The Super Sports Expo last Sunday generated the interest and we try and bring them here to sign them up,” Mr Kleinman said.
“The way we look at it and we always need to make sure especially with our newer sign-ons that we give them the option to sign up with whichever club they want but we try and keep the club numbers even. that way you have a nice even competition.”
Mr Kleinman said hockey had a long tradition in Mount Isa.
“The sport has been here 60 years and some of the clubs have been here since the start,” he said. “We started at Alexandra Oval and last year was our 30th year here.”
The 2017 season is likely to start in either the second or third week in March and goes for 18 playing weeks.
‘We schedule it around holidays and breaks and when people might be out of town,” Mr Kleinman said.
“Probably this year we’ll have under 8s, under 12s and under 15s as well as the senior ladies and senior men’s. – we structure age groups to keep as many people playing for as long as possible.”
Mr Kleinman said the 2017 sign-on day was a “lot livelier” than last year.
“We’re working hard especially to re-establish our juniors and look forward to seeing our representative teams,” he said.
“Last year we sent away three teams this year we’re looking and sending four.”
Mr Kleinman was conscious that in a place like Mount Isa, people were spoiled for sporting choice.
“We understand that and we try to make it especially family friendly,” he said.
“And we look at players with varying skill levels and we need to accommodate the most experienced to the least so we need to make it friendly, safe and still a competitive environment.”
With players aged from four to 69, the Association is doing something right.