Geelong hockey is losing its best players to Melbourne clubs

Geelong hockey’s peak body will consider several options to safeguard its future – one involving proposed “player levies” – amid concerns the region is losing its best to Melbourne clubs.

The former Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery and now Premier, Jacinta Allan, at Corio’s Stead Park to announce a major upgrade in June, 2022. Picture: Alan Barber

The Geelong Hockey Association will consider four options to safeguard its future and keep a foothold in elite competitions amid concerns the sport is “limited or absent” in Lara, the Bellarine and the Golden Plains.

The region continues to lose high-performing players to well-resourced Melbourne clubs particularly during Premier League relegation periods, a new document called Shaping the Future of Hockey Geelong reveals.

The association is planning to build consensus around governance and decide on a delivery model which achieves long term sustainability, participation growth and a more consistent presence in the state’s elite hockey competitions.

Local members have until June 5 to respond to the document.

Geelong hockey player and national representative Kade Leigh switched to Altona after the Sharks were relegated two years ago. Picture: Kade Leigh.

It revealed there were limited financial resources available, with a Premier League program requiring approximately $200,000 annually and current funding mechanisms do not consistently meet this requirement.

Meanwhile, reactivating or re-establishing clubs in Lara, the Bellarine and Golden Plains was “critical for regional representation” while Armstrong Creek and other urban growth areas were highlighted as a “significant opportunity” for new club development and junior programs.

The association is considering a Community Development First model, which would focus on Vic League 1 as its top tier competition.

Geelong Hockey’s representative team, the Sharks, have fluctuated between Premier League – where Geelong’s men’s team currently competes – and Vic League 1, which has created “inconsistencies” in competition level, player retention and strategic planning.

Commonwealth Games organising committee chief Jeroen Weimar at Stead Park. Picture: Alan Barber

Under the model, resources would be directed towards rebuilding local clubs and grow junior participation and is “more readily achievable” but may result in the “continued loss of elite players to other associations”.

Meanwhile, the Premier League Club Model would commit to maintaining a permanent Premier presence for men and women, but would require a doubling of current funding with “potential player levies”.

It would also incorporate professional coaching.

In a Split Entity Model, Hockey Geelong and the Sharks would be governed separately, with the local peak body focusing on club and community development while the Sharks would potentially have its own funding sources and governance.

Meanwhile, under a Hybrid Growth Model, the aim would be to re-enter the Premier League over a 2-3 year period.

It would establish a “readiness scorecard”, with targets for funding, player depth, coaching and facilities, and strategic investment across grassroots and elite level hockey.

Originally published as Geelong hockey is losing its best players to Melbourne clubs