Although there’s no guarantee hockey will get underway this year because of the coronavirus, Corowa Rutherglen United Hockey Club players will be ready if and when the go-ahead is given.
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Those players include 17-year-old triplets Tara, Taylah and Harry Storer, and their Mum Kellie.
Last year Kellie, Tara and Taylah played together in Division 3 women and Harry played for Division 3 men’s side.
Later in the season Taylah was promoted up to Goalkeeper in the Division 1 women’s side.
The Wahgunyah family continues to do fitness training together along with basic skills training according to club president Shannon Beacom.
“As they are all part of the same household they are able to train down at the local park when no one else is there,” he told The Free Press.
“With Taylah and Kellie both being keepers for the club, having the family being able to train together allows for all facets of the game to be covered.”
The triplets have been playing since they were aged 11 years and this is Kellie’s third season.
Their involvement with the club is very much appreciated according to the first year club president.
“The Storers are very club oriented with the volunteering they do,” Mr Beacom said. “This saw Kellie being awarded the 2019 Michael Thompson Club Person of the Year and Tara being awarded the 2019 Dana Northey Memorial Trophy.
“Tara was also nominated for the Dana Northey Memorial Trophy and Harry nominated for the Nic Rankin Memorial Trophy.”
The 29-year-old road maintenance employee president said Hockey Victoria was aiming for a May 2 season start but due to the State of Emergency, that date has been pushed back.
“So sadly there is a lot of unknown on when or if the season will get up and running,” Mr Beacom, who is 1st Lieutenant, Fire Prevention, Chiltern Fire Brigade and 2nd Deputy Group Officer, Community Safety, Rutherglen Group, said.
His impressive firefighting career, which began as a junior at 14-years-of-age, includes the award of a National Emergency Medal in respect of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
That essential firefighting training is great for the community and the hockey club. As for the latter, it is fortunate, the president said, that Corowa Rutherglen Hockey Club is a family oriented club, meaning most members are training together at home.
“We are using social media for our coaches to remain in contact with our players and our Facebook page continues to post skills videos and information for our members,” Mr Beacom said.
“Our committee continues to meet through video conferencing apps.
“I am trying to secure some used astro turf to be available for our members to take home and use to practise their stick skills on.”
The club will keep planning as if hockey will start again and work with Hockey AlburyWodonga accordingly.
