The Pursuit of Happyness - Round 1 — Camberwell Hockey Club

A joyous time for most who play, watch and support our wonderful game. Injuries and the selection table might dampen some spirits, but overwhelmingly, this is a time to reset, begin again and engage on and off the field in your pursuit of happyness!

Camberwell Hockey Club PL and PLR men’s and women’s started the Winter 2023 season with 4 home game wins at Matlock Reserve. This first round at home is when we acknowledge and thank our life members with a lunch. We also invite our remarkable sponsors and those local, state and federal representatives, HV board members and individuals who support us and our sport generously. This year we were again joined by the returning Member for Hawthorn and State opposition leader, John Pesutto. John has a great interest in his local community and stayed in touch with us, even when he was not in the parliament. It was a great afternoon to meet and watch some amazing hockey on display. We also welcomed Matt Stanlake from Upwell Health Collective as they join as Platinum Sponsors. A strong crowd was present and the clubroom vibe was great to see again. Congratulations to Jade Henderson on her debut in PL, the 5th member of her family to represent the club at this level. Also congratulations to Tynan Whight on his 100th PL game.

Tynan’s 100th PL Game *image courtesy Tracey Cox*

Jesse Foster Cup: MPL v TEM This cup game against TEM each year commemorates the tragic passing of Jesse Foster, long-time member of both Camberwell and TEM hockey clubs. At the post game gathering both James Webster and Hamish Ridland spoke passionately reminding us not just to remember Jesse, but also to remind each of us, especially our younger players, that we need to check in with each other, ask for help when we need it and look out for each other. Hamish said that following the tragic loss of Jesse, the Camberwell community saw a new culture of caring which has only grown stronger today. He urged all the young men and women present that it is ok to reach out and help is always at hand.

If you ever doubted that this club was a family affair then remind yourself of the mothers and daughters, fathers and son’s, brothers and sisters who have been playing together in Camberwell teams for decades. The masters summer competition saw these family links explode as husband and wives combinations; Corinne and Jason Lyon, Sally Wansbrough and Richard Harris, Trish and Steve Cronin, Lauren and Lee Davis all played in the same teams. (I hope I did not miss anyone!) We also have seen a father, daughter, son combination with Geoff, Jane and Stu Perriman. I cannot wait for women’s chair and super mum of 3, Sara Conyers to return next year to make a Perriman father, daughter, son, daughter in law combo! I would hate to be around that table if they lose.

This weekend new members of the “Mother/Daughter Club” are Tess and Bronwen Kohne. Tess is in our U16 girls team and Bronwen only just sneaks into our masters team ranks, but they joined forces in our WPE team for their M&D debut. WPE started with a tight 3-2 win against GDW at Matlock. Congratulations Tess and Bronwen.

Another “Camberwell hockey family” reunion in Switzerland last week was during the European Club Championships when Laura Barden playing for Belgium’s KHC Dragons played Lauren Hunt from London’s Hampstead & Westminster HC. Lauren played for Camberwell in 2019 and was an important part of that WPL team who put up a great showing in the finals that year. Laura’s team came out on top and went on to win the Championship, but the catching up with Lauren was a wonderful bonus.

Finally, we are taking the Scoreboard to the People! This year we are trying to put the scoreboard in the hands of as many teams as possible when you play at Matlock. Join the army and make sure that we get the scoreboard up and running for every junior, senior and masters game.

We now have an App for your phone that makes this possible. With a little bit of preparation, we can all make this wonderful asset come to life. The initial steps are the tricky ones and there have been teething problems, but Steve Prior is looking to make this as smooth as possible. In the meantime download the “AnyDesk” App and standby for more details

Go Wellers

Simon Winter
President