CEO Update – Friday 24 April 2020

Dear South Australian Hockey Community,

On behalf of the Hockey SA Board & Management I wanted to take the time to provide all Players, Coaches, Umpires, Officials, Parents & supporters with an update in relation to South Australian Hockey.

Firstly, I wanted to address some recent rumors, statements and messages which have been made by an unauthorised source with regards to Hockey SA, and their financial status.

I wanted to make it clear to all stakeholders that like all sporting organisations at this time the COVID-19 challenge has meant we have needed to request government support to ensure job security and the short term funding support from Government to enable us to maintain a scaled back administration at this time.

I can confirm that Hockey SA has been successful in receiving both support to maintain our small team of staff in Adelaide (4 staff members) through the JobKeeper funding from the Federal Government. Albeit on significantly reduced hours.  Furthermore the SA Government has this week confirmed a grant which provides us with strong support and security to manage our small operations in a manner in which we will both remain solvent during the next 12 months but furthermore be in a position to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 challenge later in 2020 when hockey can commence again.

As you all can appreciate these are uncharted times for all of us both in our work, family and leisure times however I am very positive about what can be achieved in 2020 to not only get the best out this year when the opportunity arises but even more importantly prepare for 2021.

Like you the passionate hockey enthusiast, the team and I at Hockey SA have been incredibly frustrated by not seeing hockey on the pitch in 2020.

I wanted to take the time to thank you all for staying so positive and enthusiastic about getting back on the pitch in 2020.  Some of the work on social media, keeping the game alive in South Australia is some of the best work I have seen from across the country.  So, keep up the terrific work. 

I also wanted to provide you all with an update in relation to our current work in getting hockey started again in 2020.  In addition to this I wanted to provide an update in regards to a range of strategic work we are about to embark on in 2020 in a bid to improve not only the experience of our members and participants who play the game today, but ensure we grow the game into the future.

In regards to getting the game back on the ground in 2020 I am personally filled with a lot more optimism in recent weeks as we have seen a drop in COVID-19 cases here is South Australia but across the country.

We are working directly with the Office for Sport Recreation & Racing and the relevant Heath authorities and Hockey Australia to develop a set of guidelines to return to match play and furthermore commenced direct consultation with your Presidents in regards to options for the 2020 Adelaide Competition.

This includes a survey which was sent to clubs on Wednesday this week seeking advice from clubs on how much time is required to assemble teams to play in the competition. We have also requested feedback in regards to what Hockey SA regard as the minimal viable competition season for 2020, a 2-month competition. Models for 3 or 4 months have also been developed if we get this time to execute a competition of this length.

From the week starting 4 May our consultation will extend to players and coaches from the Metropolitan clubs across all levels of the competition. This feedback from the participants will assist us in finalising what shape the competition in Adelaide will take in 2020. I encourage players from all levels to make contact with your clubs to ensure you engage in this process.

In addition to this we have commenced scheduling a 1 on 1 meeting (online) with all Regional Associations in the next 6-8 weeks.

As part of these meetings we will be discussing the challenges now faced in regards to the establishment of local association competition in 2020, commence the development of a targeted recruitment and education program for early 2021 which will replicate the programs conducted in Victoria.

From a local competition perspective Hockey SA will also turn their attention to a well overdue competition review. This will involve extensive consultation with clubs and players in the Adelaide Competition. This process will commence in June once we have determined the best approach and structure of the 2020 competition.

For Regional Associations we will also be seeking feedback in regards to some new state wide hockey competitions and feedback on the current Zone & State Championship events.

All these pieces of work will be critical in establishing the new direction for Hockey SA.

So, in closing I encourage everyone to stay connected with your clubs, family and friends as I am confident we will all be on the pitch enjoying the sport we all love in the next few months.

Andrew Skillern

Chief Executive Officer