How you have dealt with Covid

Hockey was suspended for the majority of the Covid period with formal league games only commencing in August 2021. The season was extended until 10 October in order to get in a full round of fixtures.  The standard Covid protocols were put in place at the field venues.

Regularity of games.

On average, Masters level players played only 8 games in the 2021 season.

Number of active players, growing or declining; men and women

There has been a slight decline in the men’s teams, several clubs are struggling to field sides and there is a tendency towards “borrowing of under-age” players.  Annual subscriptions have definitely slowed down because players feel that they did not get a fair return in terms of play and club time.

Women are holding their own. Prior to Covid, we experienced some growth in women’s hockey.

Interaction with Masters hockey

In the E P, there is no real dividing line. We even practice together via a weekly pitch and play at St Georges Park which is open to all hockey players and visitors, irrespective of club affiliation.

Quality of umpiring 

Umpiring is at an acceptable level.  Each team is responsible for providing an umpire. No issues.

Teams being fielded at the October SAGMHA IPT

E P is fielding one team (men’s) with an average age of 60.2 yrs.  (However, we are concerned about our numbers for the Durban tournament)

Any other relevant points of interest worth sharing 

To date, our selection policy has essentially been based on loyalty (that is, attendance at previous tournaments) and word of mouth. We plan to follow a more formal and more defendable selection process in 2022.

Best regards,

Greg Dawson

Eastern Province

11 October 2021