1. Covid
The Covid and national lockdown restrictions been altered during the season caused many changes throughout the season. The Eastern Gauteng League was started the weekend of the 10/11 April but unfortunately due to the increased lockdown due to the 3rd wave the league was paused from the 6th June to the 14th August. The Men’s leagues stopped at the end of September and the Ladies on the 9th October
2. Active Players
There were about 8 Grand Masers players that took part in the Easterns leagues this year. With a further 5 playing in the Southern Gauteng Night Leagues.
Easterns Grand Masters unfortunately lost a number of players this year, with 2 players passing away from Covid and 5 more players retiring or moving out of the province.
We are excited to note that we have a strong pool of players in the 53-55 age group that we are targeting to encourage to strengthen our over 55 side in the coming years.
3. Interaction with Eastern’s Masters Hockey
There were discussions between the Masters Chairman and our committee and there are no issues with us integrating into one body. The Grand Masters Chairman, Gary Talbot, will be sitting on the Master Committee and coordinating Grand Masters affairs.
4. SAGMHA IPT
Due to Covid and the loss of some players, it has been a struggle to get sufficient players for the GMIPT this year, however Easterns will be entering a 55+ and a 60+ side into the GMIPT. We also have 2 70+ players that have been invited to join the SG 70+ side so that they can play in their age group for selection purposes.
At this time we do not have a Ladies side and those Easterns Ladies that are wanting to play have joined the Southern Gauteng Ladies sides.