COVID

The second and third Covid waves and national lockdown periods have had a profound impact not only disrupting the continuity of the WPGM summer and winter seasons, but in players personal fitness and skill levels. An un-foreseen impact on our members is the financial uncertainty and the resistance to want to travel. Strict adherence to Covid sign in procedures on match evenings has been adhered to by the WPGM committee. We have a 93% vaccination rate of members.

WPGM LEAGUE STRUCTURE

The 2021 WPGM summer and winter leagues were run with 5 mens teams. Each team retains it’s selected players for the season. The teams have an elected captain, administrator and coach, all of whom work towards improving communication, team structure, fitness and skill levels. Matches were scheduled for four teams on a Monday evening. The fifth team would have a bye. On rotation, that would give each team in the league 8 games in a 10 match cycle. The team that has the bye can assist with fill in players for teams that are “short” on the match night. The season (winter and summer) consist of 20 match days, with a short break between seasons. The results are posted on the WPGM website and a league table with game results are posted after each round of matches. A floating trophy is awarded to the winning team and the top goal scorer receives an award.

ACTIVE PLAYERS

 WPGM has grown from an active male player base of 46 players to an active base of 80 players. Naturally player availability through injury, work and family commitments is always going to be a challenge to the success of a league. The growth has mainly come from the 55 – 60 age group. WPGMHA has no women’s teams at this stage.

INTERACTION WITH WP MASTERS HOCKEY

Nothing to report.

QUALITY OF UMPIRING

The WPGM League matches are umpired by Clive Belcher (GC graded) and Wotjek Lipinski (Awaiting his grading). Both have committed fully to ensuring a top level of consistent umpiring. They also share rules updates, insight into interpretation of the rules and common player transgressions that take place on the field.

SAGMHA

WPGM TEAMS. Unfortunately, mainly due to Covid and the WC 2022 selection happening on the same weekend (in CPT), WPGM could only manage to field two mens teams to this years GMIPT. Four players were selected for the Invitational 70+ team.

We fully intend to have a stronger showing at the KZN IPT in February 2022.