Hockey SA set to allow clubs to play catch-up games with reinstated teams on home turf
Hockey clubs are working on a compromise with the governing body after the extraordinary decision to let two teams back into the second-tier comp mid-season.
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Hockey Clubs will likely be able to apply to host their second-tier catch-up Wednesday night matches rather than be forced to play at the state hockey centre, which charges more for games than other venues.
The decision is believed to form part of a compromise between Hockey SA and clubs after two sides were reinstated into the Metro One women’s competition mid-season to avoid a costly legal stoush.
Hockey SA remained tight-lipped on outcomes of the special meeting with club presidents held on Tuesday night saying “at this stage there is nobody available to comment due to other commitments”.
But Port Adelaide president Dennis Meredith said clubs would likely be allowed to play their four catch-up games against the reinstated St Peter’s Old Collegians and Flinders University on home turf, rather than at the more expensive Hockey SA centre as originally scheduled.
Speaking after Tuesday’s meeting, Meredith said Hockey SA seemed willing to work with clubs which was “pleasing” despite still needing to play catch-up Wednesday night minor rounds plus regular weekend matches.
He was also still seeking clarification on the rules for how clubs would fill those teams should regular Metro One players be unavailable for Wednesday night games.
“We could have situations with players getting injured playing the Saturday before and then add the potential of unavailable players with the country players and uni students,” Meredith said.
“So I’m pleased the meeting was called and I think the outcomes for all clubs and the board were positive.”
When contacted by News Corp on Wednesday, Hockey SA provided a statement, saying the meeting was “another in a series of regular engagements between the board, the management of Hockey SA and metropolitan club presidents”.
The statement also acknowledged the reinstatement of St Peter’s Old Collegians and Flinders University into its Metro One women’s competition had been “disruptive” but “the forum broadly recognised the need to move forward and continue the very successful season to date”.
When asked again to answer questions regarding the meetings’ specific outcomes, it was then a spokeswoman said there was no one available to comment.
Hockey SA dumped the two clubs from Metro One to Metro Two in February — a month before the start of the season — because it wanted fairer, eight-team competitions and those two clubs did not have Premier League sides.
But SPOC and Flinders University appealed the decision to the Magistrates Court and this month Hockey SA avoided a costly legal battle by agreeing to a settlement, including reinstating the clubs seven rounds into the season.
The move had angered some rival clubs because they were now being forced to play Wednesday night catch-up games against SPOC and Flinders University for the remainder of the minor round.
Before the meeting, SPOC and Flinders University said they were happy to return to the Metro One competition.
They did not want to comment after the meeting.
Other clubs have been contacted for comment.
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