Ground level hockey help needed

The future of hockey in Mahurangi looks pretty secure, if winter Saturday mornings at the Warkworth Showgrounds hockey turf are anything to go by, when 150 under-12s take to the fields with gusto.

However, more adult volunteers are needed if Mahurangi Junior Hockey Club is to continue to thrive, as currently everything from admin and organisation to grunt-work on the ground is being carried out by a committee of just three – president Michelle Brogan, vice-president Shauna Thorburn and secretary Bayley Fox.

“The parents are great, they’re really supportive, but we could do with some more help,” Brogan says.

“We need at least another three, really – especially a treasurer. If we had those extra people, it wouldn’t be much work for any of us, but I think people see how much work we three have to do at the moment and maybe get put off.”

There are a couple of dozen littlies playing Funsticks, an introduction to the sport for children up to Year 2, then seven junior teams (Years 2 to 4) and eight senior teams for Years 5 and 6. The teams are mixed and come from Snells Beach, Horizon School, Matakana, Kaipara Flats and Warkworth to play the 14-week season, plus there is social summer hockey that will start this year on October 15.

Brogan says while the kids enjoy playing the game and making new friends, the best part for many parents is often the fact that there is limited travel involved.

“It’s not like football, where you have to go all over Auckland,” she says. “We’re all just here every Saturday morning, at the same place and same time. So there’s no travel, it goes ahead rain or shine and it’s all over by 11 o’clock.”

Teams get medals, trophies and sportsmanship awards at the end of the season, and Charlies Gelato provides treats for players of the day.

Umpires are all young former club players, usually from Mahurangi College, who have gone on to play for their school or at North Harbour Hockey.

Brogan says this illustrates the sense of community that Mahu Hockey engenders in players and supporters.

“It’s a nice group, everyone’s really inclusive,’ she says. “We have good kids with different abilities and they’re all included, and the community is all really connected.

“Hockey is fun. It’s not scary and it’s easy to learn, and it gets you fit,” she adds. “Some of our kids are amazed at how much better they are at cross country after playing hockey.”

Anyone who would like to know more about summer hockey or who can help out should email info@mahujuniorhockey.co.nz or visit https://www.mahujuniorhockey.co.nz/