Welcome to the Eden league Plett Hockey Club

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - For the first time ever, Plettenberg Bay will have a representative hockey club in the Eden Hockey Senior League when Plett Hockey Club takes to the turf for its first games this weekend.

The club is the culmination of over a year of discussions within the Plett hockey circles, with the idea sparked from the observation that there is an influx of families into the area with family members who like hockey.

This led to community members who have been playing club hockey for years to take action.

"Plett has been unfortunate not to have a full-size astro turf, but with the advent of the internal Plett 4-a-side on the mini Greenwood Bay College Astro (run by Sticks and Balls) we have noticed not only does Plett have some talent but also a need for some of the experienced players to have something they have a passion for playing," said chairman of the new club, Brad McNamara.

"This along with the need to give the Plett youth coming through the ranks the opportunity to play full-size field hockey while being mentored by those more experienced around them."

Previously, if a hockey player in Plett wanted to enjoy club hockey they would have to join Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club, the Wanderers, or the regional 'Over 35s' hockey club.

This is all set to change this weekend however when the 2022 season gets underway and Plett Hockey Club (PHC) enters the fray with one men's and one women's team taking part in the league.

Seeing as there is no full-size astro in Plettenberg Bay, the logistics of training have proven a bit tough for PHC. "Currently we use the Sticks and Balls league [in Plett] as training but we are also looking at training on Friday afternoons in Knysna.

This will be available for both juniors and adults," McNamara explained.

PHC will be calling the Knysna High School astro turf their home field for the upcoming season. They've also had to rely on some outside assistance to get going.

"We would like to thank Buco Plett, SGB Construction, Timber Fans, Revel Projects, Currency Assist, Robberg Veterinary Clinic, and Sticks and Balls for assisting us with sponsorship towards our hockey kit for the 22/23 season," McNamara said.

Plett's women's team will face York High in their first fixture of the season this weekend while their men's side will take on York as well. Elsewhere, defending champions Old Oaks' women will take on George on Saturday, and the men, also defending champions, will face George too.

Plett Hockey Club players carry out some drills under the watch of coaches.