Hi everyone. Here’s a quick summary of my thoughts, observations and updates after 2 rounds.
- I’m very pleased with the start our junior teams have made this year. I’ve watched games across most age groups and have been very impressed with how the players and coaches have represented our club. Some of the skill and teamwork has been amazing. The results are pleasing and I encourage our members to attend games and support our junior teams.
- Round 2 was our first big weekend of home games. It was great to see huge numbers at the club over the weekend. While the narrow defeats suffered by both our State League 1 men’s and women’s teams was disappointing, nobody can question their endeavour to compete until the final whistle. We are all looking for a change of fortune for these two teams starting this weekend against Camberwell at home.
- I want to recognise the outstanding effort of our ball boys and ball girls last weekend. In two close and intense games, our ball boys and ball girls performed their job extremely well. Special mention to Jarryd Otterbach who was working overtime in the closing minutes of the SL1 men’s game. He certainly earned his drink at the end of the game.
- Round 3 this weekend is another big round of home games for us. I’ve included a summary of the games below. Lunch will be available to purchase in the clubrooms on Saturday from 1pm to 2pm for all members and guests. We have quite a few young players in our senior teams who travel from outside the metropolitan area to represent Altona. I have invited the parents of these players to lunch as a show of appreciation. I hope a few other members can join me.
- The AHC ladies lunch is just around the corner (Friday, 4th May). Prue Phillips, Sharon Faulkner and Sue Aitken initiated this brilliant idea. Please speak to one of these ladies if you’d like to attend, or come and speak to me and I’ll point you in the right direction.
- Social membership packages are now available. Information on the range of social memberships is attached to this newsletter. The packages represent great value for all AHC supporters. To sign up for a package, see Kate Holland.
- Ideally this will be the first and last time I need to include a note on the payment of membership fees in my article. The club has now paid all competition and player insurance fees to Hockey Victoria. This represents a significant expense for our club. Your membership fees are primarily allocated to cover these costs from HV. I encourage each of our playing members to contact Ian Bartlett or Tracey Drake to arrange payment.
- Here’s a summary of home games this weekend……
Friday night
| 27/04/12 | 17:55 | ALT (Under 13 A – Ron Ford Shield – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Footscray |
| 27/04/12 | 19:05 | ALT (Under 15 Pennant NW – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Essendon |
| 27/04/12 | 20:15 | ALT (Under 17 A – Ric Purser Shield – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Footscray |
| 27/04/12 | 21:25 | ALT (Under 17 North West – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Melton |
Saturday
| 28/04/12 | 11:00 | ALT (Under 11 North West – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Melton |
| 28/04/12 | 12:30 | ALT (Women’s Pennant A – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Camberwell |
| 28/04/12 | 14:00 | ALT (Women’s State League 1 – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Camberwell |
| 28/04/12 | 15:30 | ALT (Men’s State League 1 – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Camberwell |
| 28/04/12 | 17:00 | ALT (Men’s Pennant A – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Camberwell |
Sunday
| 29/04/12 | 12:30 | ALT (Men’s Metro 1 North West – 2012) | Altona | Vs | Brunswick |
Thanks everyone. Hope to see big crowds at all games over the weekend.
Go A’s
David Burns