Footscray Hockey Club

Please see below Bulldog Banter: Includes Grand Final Photos, Trophy Winners, Top 50 Mens & Womens Game Tallies, Sponsors 2011…and more…

5th Banter September 2011 Presentation Night Edition

There was high drama at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday 18th September as Footscray defeated Kew in the Hockey Victoria men’s division two Grand Final.

The result sees Footscray not only lift the premiership trophy, but also qualify for division one competition next year.

However they were made to earn their promotion with nothing coming easy on the day.
Kew made a great start to the contest, converting on two of their goal-scoring opportunities in the first half to open up a 2-0 lead.

Footscray’s best chance to score came a minute before half-time when their captain, Tom Griffen put the ball into the back of the net, only to have his shot disallowed because of an infringement.

The near miss seemed to spur Footscray on, who looked like a different team after the break.

They scored their first goal within one minute of the resumption of play and continued to pepper the goals for the next 10 minutes but were not able to final the equaliser.
Kew then scored a goal against the run of play to open up a 3-1 lead with 20 minutes to play.

Footscray refused to lie down though, hitting back with the next two goals through Matt Whitbread and Paul Mackinnon to draw the contest level.

Again, Kew pulled away thanks to a goal from a short corner and was left with five minutes on the clock to try and defend their lead.

They failed to last one full minute though as Mackinnon again hit the scoreboard to send the match into overtime.

After 15 minutes the deadlock couldn’t be broken and a penalty shootout was needed to split the teams.

Kew was the first to blink when Peter Bunting miss hit his penalty and it was easily saved by Footscray goalkeeper Peter Cleave.

However, the advantage was short-lived after John Kinder pushed his shot left to even the ledger.

An intense next 10 minutes left everyone on the edge of their seats as both teams went goal for goal until the score read 10-10.

Mackinnon then made another penalty which again gave Cleave the chance to win the game for Footscray.

He did not let his team-mates down as he dived to his left as the ball smashed into his pads and the 4-4 (11-10) victory was secured.

The Footscray players ran towards the stands before linking arms and belting out a spirited rendition of the club song with their supporters in what would have been the first of many celebrations heading into the night.

Grand Final Result

State League 2 (2) lt MCC (3) Goals Amy Turnbull, Caitlin Duggan

The glorious defeat of kew in the Preliminary Finals secured the team a SL1 spot in 2012 and the team went into the Grand Final relaxed and with nothing to loo. Over 200 loyal and passionate FHC supporters gathered in red, white blue to cheer on the youthful ladies team. It was over 30 years ago the ladies first XI team has been in a second division grand final.

The game commenced at a fast speed. FHC attacking quickly in the first 10 minutes, a goal being disallowed in the first few minutes. MCC then dominated most of the first half, scoring 3 goals. The girls went into half time on their back foot.

The second half was all FHC, the girls stepped up and matched MCC and then proceeded to work their way into the circle. Nicola Hancock entered the game as  a DS player and made an immediate impact on the forward line. Earning a few short corners increased their confidence. Amy Turnbull scored on top of the circle after a beautiful cross by Nicola on the right wing. The game was not over yet.

The energy and desperation increased and the entire team lifted. Scoring a second goal with 7 minutes to go by Caitlin the game was on. MCC trying desperatly to keep FHC scoreless. The girls gave it their all with every chance to equalise and go into extra time, however the clock beat them and they ran out of time. An amazing effort to fight back and the girls knew that if they had played as well as they did in the first half as they did in the second, they’d have taken away the flag.

Coach Luke Michael has been thrilled with the season overall: achieving SL1 was the club’s aim and the girls did that. The second half in the Grand Final was a brilliant performance, the first half needed the same intensity and desire to win the game. If the team can take their second half performance into next year (together with lots of hard work over the summer programs!) – they should be reasonably competitive against the bottom 5 SL1 teams. Great season girls.

Pennant c (3) def Hawthorn (0) Goals N Hancock  2, J Angus

Against all odds, Pennant Chard a hard task finishing 3rd and having to win the Grand Final against Hawthorn (2nd) to Secure Promotion. PC were blocking first paced PD and M1N from promotion and the pressure was on the entire team and the coach. Hawthorn needed to win to gain promotion also. The first 10 minutes of the game, Hawthorn took control and were threatening around the circle, some excellent early saves by Shannara, our goalie, kept them scoreless. Slowly the girls were able to string good passes together and work a corner FHC were awarded a stroke and Nicola Hancock put the team 1 – 0 up.  In the second half an early corner was converted by an excellent drag flick from Nicola into the top right corner to be 2 – 0 up. Soon after the girls converted again and the game was in their hands! With 20 minutes to go the FHC girls were able to control the play and keep the Hawthorn girls scoreless. A dream run for the team. Thank you to Frank for coaching this year, who announced his retirement after the game – a terrific season by all.

Pennant D (1) lt Mentone (0) Goals P Veitch

After having given up a lead to Mentone 3 times this season we were determined not to do that again in the Grand Final. It was a tight game as we expected we dominated a lot of the game but Mentone’s defence held strong. We finally broke through with a penalty corner goal scored by Flea Veitch. We played well to keep or lead with a few nail biting moments when Mentone earned a few late corners. Well done to everyone on a  great season and congratulations to our seconds on your fantastic effort to get promoted which enables ourselves and M1 to go up too. Yahoo!!

Metro 3 North (3) def ESS (0) Goals K Vaina 2, H Shaw

The 1st placed FHC team was keen to tackle Essendon on a windy day at MHS. 2 beautiful corner goals scored by Kara Vaina and a rebound pick up by Heather Shaw finish 3 – 0 up. Unfortunately can not be promoted due to FHC having 2 Metro 2 teams aready. A great way to finish a dominating season.

Please see GF Fixtures for all 15 FHC teams!

State League 2 (4) def Kew (3) Goals A Turnbull 2, Z Shipperley ?

Click Here for Report

Pennant c (4) def Jew (3) Goals A Scott 2 ?

Pennant D (3) lt MCC (4) Goals

The passion shown by the 2nd team to win their game set the scene for us… a focused team effort today we had great interplay in attack and looked composed in defence, It’s great to be in the granny next weekend, we are determined to beat Mentone!!!!

Metro 1 North (2) lt MCC (4)

For Vets, Mens & Juniors please the following
Vets Mark Stephens 0408 326 985 markstephens63@hotmail.com
Mens Tom Griffin 0424 617 363 tom.griffin@buchan.com.au
Juniors Brendan Sheehan 0405 061 536 brendan.sheehan@sport.vic.gov.au

Ladies Summer Competition 2011/2012!

Contact Nicole Virtuoso
0424132715
nicolevirtuoso@gmail.com

Competitions:

#1 Development Squads – by invitation – coached by State League coach Luke Michael
Outdoor Summer Development Squad Thursday @ F1
Super League Indoor Competition Sunday nights @ Monash
FEES ARE $15 per game for Seniors & Juniors or $120 up front paid by round 3
Goalies no fees

#2 Social Ladies Thursday Night @ F2  (Metro 2, 3 & 4 standard – run by FHC on F2 and as this comp is NOT run by HV fees are slightly cheaper)
FEES ARE
Seniors $10 per game or $80 up front paid by round 3
Juniors $7 per game or $55 up front paid by round 3
Goalies no fees

#3 Competitive Ladies Thursday Night @ F1 (State League, Pennant & M1 standard – on F1)
FEES ARE $15 per game for seniors & juniors or $120 up front paid by round 3
Goalies no fees

Please write comp interested in:

Name:

Mobile Number:

E-mail address:

Any particular people you wish to play summer with? (or list “New Member” or “Don’t Mind”)

FIXTURE

Round 1 Monday, 17th October – Sunday, 23rd October
Round 2 Monday 24th October – Sunday, 30th October

Break (Melbourne Cup Week)

Round 3 Monday, 7th November – Sunday, 13th November
Round 4 Monday, 14th November – Sunday, 20 November
Round 5 Monday, 21st November – Sunday, 27th November
Round 6 Monday, 28th November – Sunday, 4th December
Round 7 Monday, 5th December – Sunday, 11th December

Break (Christmas)

Round 8 Monday, 30th January – Sunday, 5th February
Round 9 Monday, 6th February – Sunday, 12th February
Round 10 Monday, 13th February – Sunday, 19th February

Semi Finals Monday, 20th February – Sunday, 26th February

Grand Final Monday, 27th February – Sunday, 4th March

The State League 2 Womens side secured promotion to SL1 today with a win against Kew.

Ladies Director Nicole Virtuoso, who has been in the position for 9 years, was ecstatic for the team, coach and club. A dream come true to finally be back in SL1. It has been over 30 years since the Womens division has played in the Premier League in Victoria. Nicole’s mother Marianne Evans played in the last FHC SL1 equivalent team in 1979 (A Grade as it was called back then). The Women’s 2nd Pennant C, 3rds Pennant D and 6th Metro 3 North are in Grand Finals also together with 4 Mens sides: State League 2, Pennant E, Metro 1 West, Metro 3 West. Lets hope for 8 out of 8!

Match Report from Coach Luke Michael

There was much anticipation before the preliminary match versus Kew at the SNHC. The team not only needed to win to make the grand final against MCC, the team needed to win to secure promotion to Victoria’s Premier League – State League 1. Once again the team arrived at the ground and discussed what they we wanted to achieve for this game. A very switched on group of players commenced their warm up preparations and returned to the field and ready to go.

The game began and a pumped Footscray set the pace. They pressed Kew and caused them to turnover the ball. FHC applied pressure on their keeper who made some good early saves. Kew had a couple of breakaways that were shut down before they entered the circle. The girls worked a corner half way through the first half and executed it correctly to go 1 – 0 up. Shortly after this they earned another corner and once again we scored. Amy Turnbull scoring both goals. With 40 seconds to go in the half the girls earned another corner and this time Zoe Shipperly scored our third to take us 3 – 0 nil into half time.

The team knew they had to keep control to ensure Kew were not given a chance to get back into the game. FHC began dominating the second half, however then the passing play slowed down and this allowed Kew to string some passes together. They earned a corner from a turnover and scored, 3 – 1. The team began their passing game again and took back control of the rest of the game. FHC forced yet earned another corner which was converted to be 4 – 1 up and in complete control of the game. We had more chances to score but failed to convert and played out the rest of game. The girls elated to earn the promotion to WSL1 and entry to the grand final next week against MCC. FHC now have the 4th chance of the season to challenge MCC.

Coach Luke Michael stated “Our best performance of the year, we played the first half of the game like a WSL1 team. The girls executed a very disciplined  game to earn a spot in the grand final. It is the reward the players deserve after all the hard work and sacrifices they have made this year. This week will focus on Grand Final preparations. It should be a terrific day next Sunday with our Women & Men in the grand finals. Thank you to all the supporters  – it was amazing to see the red white and blue in huge numbers. Hope to see you all next week. Well done ladies.”

Hockey bulldogs searching for glory

2011 could prove to be a landmark year in the history of the Footscray Hockey Club. Poised to contest both the Mens and Women’s State League Division 2 Grand Finals this coming weekend, the club is on the precipice of returning to hockey’s elite level for the first time in fifty years. Although up against higher-ranked teams in both games, the bulldogs will be cheered on by their army of loyal supporters who have a busy weekend ahead of them with Footscray contesting a massive 15 grand finals across the senior and junior grades. 2nd on the ladder, the  State League Women’s team secured promotion to State League 1 after their preliminary final win to contest the grand final with 1st placed MCC.

One family alone, the Hopkins-Thomas family will have all 5 family members competing on the weekend in their respective teams. Dad Greg is determined to break his duck after falling a little short in 9 previous grand finals over his illustrious 40 year career. 10th time lucky?

The big grand-final weekend tops off an incredible year for the hockey bulldogs in which they have again won the award for Victoria’s most successful junior program, won against 66 other clubs competing in the Melbourne leagues. Footscray’s top U17 and U15 boys and girls teams lead the grand final charge in the junior division, climaxing a year in which a record 15 Footscray children have been selected into Victorian junior state teams.

Nominations are now open for the Indoor U18 & U15 State Teams!

2012 National Championship Dates:

U18: January 9-14 – Brisbane, QLD

U15: January 9-14 – Perth, WA

Trial Dates & Venue: Dandenong Indoor Facility (Cnr Cleeland & Heatherton
Rds, Dandenong. Mel Ref 90 E3

Sunday October 30

8.00am – 9.00am: U18 Women
9.00am – 10.00am: U18 Men
10.00am – 11.00am: U15 Girls
11.00am – 12.00pm: U15 Boys

Sunday November 6,

8.00am – 9.00am – U18 Women
9.00am – 10.00pm – U18 Men
4.00pm – 5.00pm – U15 Girls
5.00pm – 6.00pm – U15 Boys

Nomination fee: $32 (this includes HV administration, pitch hire & sporting
pulse and paypal processing fees)

Nominations strictly close Friday 21st October.

NOTE: Click ‘I am registering to this club for the first time’ to nominate

For more information or to nominate Click here
For queries please contact Anthony Piccolo (State Teams Coordinator) on
8379 4288 or apiccolo@hockeyvictoria.org.au