KEW Hockey Club

Dear KHC players, members and supporters,

As we head towards summer, hockey may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but this won’t be the case for those playing in summer or indoor competitions, and especially not the case for the club committee who are well underway with plans for season 2009.

After a disappointing season in 2008, significant changes are underway to make season 2009 a more prosperous one.

I take this opportunity to announce to the club that I will be standing down as Club President, effective from our AGM to be held early next year.  I will be returning to the role of club treasurer and will remain closely involved in the operations of the club.  I am pleased to announce that Hugh Taggart has agreed to take on the role of Club President in season 2009.

Hugh (“Tags”) has been at the Club for more than 20 years and brings new energy, professionalism and creativity to the committee. He was a part of our men’s Sate League team for some five or six years and has won junior and senior club premierships as well as state and Australian Universities selection along the way. In a professional sense, Hugh was a part of the original team that brought Betfair to Australia two and half years ago and he remains there as a key part of the company’s corporate team. I look forward to working alongside Hugh and wish him all the best in the role.

We also welcome Nick Reid and Phoebe Smith to the committee to fill the new positions of Men’s and Women’s Vice Presidents, respectively.  The remaining positions, Men’s and Women’s Secretaries, will continue to be filled by committee veterans Lachlan Walmsley and Avis Davis.  The additional personnel, fresh minds and new energy are an exciting prospect and we look forward to improving the club on and off the field.

Our on field matters are headlined by the appointment of Joe Hassall as Women’s State League coach. In his 30 years at Kew Joe has played in junior, senior and Veterans premiership teams, and last year represented Victoria at the national Veterans titles.  Joe’s coaching profile is extensive; he has coached various Kew junior teams over many years, including A division premierships. From 1990-1993 Joe coached Victorian Junior teams, and more recently coached our Veterans team to a premiership and A Grade promotion in 2007, and another successful season in 2008.

Coaching the State League women’s team is not new to Joe, he held the role in 2001 and 2002 (when Hughie was born). More recently Joe has been a key figure of our Junior club, managing recruitment via the school clinics, Hook-into-hockey, and coaching junior teams (again). We didn’t hesitate in appointing Joey and are delighted to welcome him back to the role.

We continue to conduct a thorough recruitment process for a men’s State League coach and we hope to announce the new appointment early in the New Year.

All the best to those playing in summer and indoor competitions and a happy and safe Christmas to all.

I look forward to season 2009.

James Tyson
President
K.E.W. Hockey Club