Wests Illawarra  Hockey Club
	Proudly sponsored by Wests Illawarra Leagues Club

What is Wests Illawarra Hockey Club?

We are a non profit organisation incorporated in NSW to foster and promote the sport of hockey in the Western Suburbs of Illawarra. The club began in 1961 as St Mathews before changing to Western Suburbs in 1973 and then Wests Illawarra in 2003. We field teams in men’s, women’s, and junior competitions in the Illawarra region and cater for both male and female players of all ages and ability.

Who runs the club?

The club is run by an executive committee elected annually, comprising a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Junior Co-ordinator, Women’s Co-ordinator and Men’s Co-ordinator. The executive committee meets monthly to deal with club matters. The 3 co-ordinators head sub-committees to administer the operations of the various sections of the club. We need assistance on sub-committees so if you can help, contact the relevant co-ordinator. If you would like to nominate for the executive, elections take place in November/December each year at the Annual General Meeting, contact the Secretary for details. 

When is registration day?

The club registration day is the 27th of February at the Illawarra Hockey Centre in Waples Road Unanderra (Lindsay Mayne) between 5:00pm and 7:30pm. Further registrations can be made at training sessions.

Where and when do we train and play matches?

The Club’s home ground is the Lindsay Mayne fields at the Illawarra Hockey Centre, Waples Road, Unanderra with the majority of matches are played there. Some games may be played at the University of Wollongong and the Croome Rd complex at Albion Park. Junior training is at the Lindsay Mayne fields on Tuesdays from 5:00pm to 6:15pm, followed by senior training from 6:15pm to 7:30pm. Men’s matches are usually played on Sundays from 10:00am to 7:00pm, however a small number of games are played on Friday nights. Women’s matches are played on Saturday’s from 12:00pm to 9:00pm. Junior under 9 to under 15 mixed competitions are played on Saturday mornings between 8:00am and 11:30am. Junior girls are played on Monday afternoons between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Under 17 mixed is played on Wednesday nights from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. The under 17 competition starts on the 6th February and finishes in June to cater for HSC commitments.  Women's competitions commence on the 24th March with Juniors Saturday the 31st March and Men's Sunday the 1st April.

How much does it cost to play this year?

All playing fees are divided into 2 parts. A membership fee which covers NSW & Illawarra Association registration, insurance and one presentation night ticket in the case of Men, Women and Non-Playing members. In addition to the membership a team fee is payable for each team that you are a fulltime member of which covers the entry fee charged by the Illawarra Associations.

     Est Membership Fee                                        Est Team Fees                    

     Men                          125 *                                   Men’s                        175

     Women                     105 *                                   Women’s                   145

     Under 18's (grade)        77 *          plus                  Under 9's                    25

     Under 18's                   57                                    Under 11's                   70

     Under 9's                     30                                    Under 13's                   70

     Non Playing                 30 *                                  Under 15's                   70

     * Inclusive of presentation night ticket                     Under 17's                   70

Membership fees and team fees are based on the actual cost from the Illawarra associations to register members and to enter teams. Fundraising and Sponsorship are used to cover all other running costs of the team. 

When and how do I pay my fees?

An initial payment of the membership fee is required at the time of registration. The balance is due by the 1^st of May. Players not having paid by this date are no longer eligible to play until the final fee is paid or a suitable arrangement for payment is negotiated with the Treasurer. Failure to pay by the due dates does not release the player from further payments even if they discontinue playing. All debts will be pursued to ensure the lowest fees to all players.

Fees can be paid by Cheque, BPAY, EFT, Pay by Phone (Credit Cards) or at Australia Post Offices, details will be attached to the bottom of invoices . Fees can also be paid by cash to the Treasurer.

What fee discounts are available?

To make it affordable for family’s with multiple children playing hockey the team fee for the 2^nd and subsequent children is reduced by 50%. Each child is only entitled to this reduction for 1 team in which they play.  To encourage players under the age of 18 to progress to senior grade hockey, a 50% reduction on the grade team fee is charged. Goal keepers who supply there own playing equipment do not pay team fees. Coaches of junior teams and 1^st grade teams receive discounted fees as determined by the Executive. Players injured during the season who provide medical certificates may have their team fee reduced by up to 50% based on the number of games they were eligible to play.

What fundraising do I have to do?

 In order to cover the cost of uniforms, goal keeping equipment, balls, field hire for training, junior/family fee discounts and trophies, the club raises money from sponsorship and fundraising. If you do not want to participate in fundraising you will be charged an additional fee of $25.  The club will be running 4 fundraising events:

Chocolates: Each player will be issued with 1 box ($48) of chocolates at the start of the season. Families with multiple players are only required to take 2 boxes.

Shopping Trip: The club will be running a factory outlet bus trip to Sydney. Cost will be between $20 and $25. Outlets being visited and further information will be distributed shortly. 

Trivia Night: Details to be advised. We need help on the organising committee to make this night a success.

What equipment do I need to play hockey?

All players must provide their own hockey stick. Shin pads and mouthguards are compulsory at training and matches. Playing shirts are provided by the club and must be returned at the end of the season. Shorts, skirts and socks can be ordered from club co-ordinators.

    Socks - $10

    Shorts - $15

    Skirts - $35

All players must be attired in the registered uniform of the club in order to take the field for games.

How is information conveyed to members?

Members are kept informed of information about the club via email. Notices of events along with weekly club updates through the playing season are sent from the clubs email address westshockey@austarnet.com.au . If you are not receiving your emails weekly, it may be because the email is going to your junk mail as this message is sent to over 200 members. To fix this add the clubs email address as a valid contact.

Why do I have to work in the canteen at Lindsay Mayne if I play in a women’s team?

The Illawarra Women’s Hockey Association raises money from canteen sales which it passes directly back to players by reduced fees (see above in comparison to men’s fees). If you play in a women’s team the association has made it mandatory that clubs and hence players will be rostered on to canteen duty. Whilst our club apposes this ruling and will continue our fight against it, we do have to comply with the current rules in order to field teams in women’s competitions. A fine of $40 is imposed on each player who fails to turn up when rostered onto canteen duty. 

How do I raise concerns or problems I may be experiencing with the club?

If there is a matter that is concerning you within the club, you should contact a member of the Executive to have the matter confidentially dealt with. If you don’t tell us there is a problem, we won’t know about it to fix it.

Who are the clubs sponsors?

Wests Illawarra Leagues Club is our Major sponsor.

However, we need your help to find further sponsors as follows:

Men’s Shirt Sponsor - $2700 or $1000 pa for 3yrs         Women’s Shirt Sponsor - $2200 or $800 pa for 3yrs

Junior Shirt Sponsor - $2700 or $1000 pa for 3yrs        Gold Sponsors - $1000 pa

Minor Sponsors - $500pa                                           Golf Day Hole Sponsors - $220

Contact the Treasurer to find out more about sponsorship packages.         

Contact details

Wests Illawarra Hockey Club

34 Natan Place, Cordeaux Heights NSW 2526

email: admin@westsillawarrahockey.com.au

What other club merchandise is available?

There is a wide range of club apparel available for members and spectators. Orders need to be placed early in the season as the club does not generally carry stock. Contact Wesley Johnston for enquiries or to place orders.

Eyes Up Hockey Skills development program

Our hockey club is a pilot for the eyes up hockey program designed to improve the skills of junior hockey players. Below is a link to an excel file which shows your current status in the eyes up program, note you need to know your wests badge number to find your details as names are not displayed.

eyesup.xls