Every year, a number of Goulburn's junior hockey players are often selected for state representative teams.
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This number varies from year to year, but it is not unusual for the Goulburn District Hockey Association to have over a dozen state representatives in any given year.
While 2020 has been largely a write-off in this respect due to COVID-19, with all national events cancelled in March, Hockey Australia recently released a statement confirming dates for the various national outdoor championships in 2021.
With the exception of the Men's and Women's Masters Championships, all 2021 events will be held in the same locations as scheduled this year.
This, Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier said, was a huge effort on the part of the various councils and organisations involved.
"Following successful discussions with our funding partners, councils, committees, Member Associations and event hosts, we are excited to confirm that all events (excluding Masters) in 2021 will be played in the same locations as was planned for 2020," Favier said.
"Ultimately these events are about enjoyment, competitiveness and everything that is great about our sport, so as disappointing as it has been not seeing them held this year, there is a genuine sense of excitement about what 2021 holds."
Though Hockey Australia has confirmed the dates for every championship next year, it is also keeping a close eye on the coronavirus pandemic and is prepared to make changes if necessary.
"The safety, health and wellbeing of all players, staff, officials and spectators remains Hockey Australia's top priority, so we will continue to follow government advice and direction, but we are largely enthused about all of these events recommencing in 2021," Favier said.
"These dates and details are obviously subject to the situation with COVID, but this announcement demonstrates that as a sport, we are eager to begin planning and preparation for holding successful events next year with participants from across the country."
The updated dates and venues for each national championship in 2021 are as follows:
- April 8-16: Under 18s Men and Women (Launceston, Tasmania)
- April 9-15: Under 15s Boys and Girls (Bathurst, NSW)
- June 30-July 7: Under 21 Men and Women (Moorebank Liverpool District, NSW)
- August 7-14: Country Men and Women (Albany, WA)
- September 23-October 9: Men and Women Mega Masters (Newcastle and surrounds, NSW)
- September 30-October 6: Under 13 Boys and Girls carnival (Hobart, Tasmania)
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