About Wodonga Hockey Club

Three clubs existed:

• Wodonga Men’s Hockey
• Wodonga Women’s Hockey
• Wodonga Vultures

Wodonga Women won the Div 2 Premiership and were promoted to Division One in 1985.

Gravel Field introduced

• Teams commenced playing on all weather dirt fields in lieu of grass.
• Teams played at Lord Oval, Bandiana, Wodonga Showgrounds/Racecourse, moving in the 80’s to Kelly Park
  and finally
• Started playing at Birallee Park in 1985

Minkey hockey commenced (modified hockey for under 10 children – HookIn2Hockey)

• In February 1986 a unanimous decision was made to unite all 3 Clubs and play in the maroon and white.
• Teams nominated for the season were Div 1, 2, 3 Men & Women Junior Boys Under 13 and Minkey with approx. 40 children attending.

28 July 1987 The Club became incorporated.

Ian Livingstone & David Sutherland, Executive Committee members, approached Wodonga Council in regard to new fields.

In December 1987 a decision was made to construct two all-weather fields at Birallee Park, Silva Drive. The total cost of $26,000 was shared 50/50 by Wodonga City Council and the Wodonga Hockey Club.

1988 the Bicentennial year with the new fields now in use and fundraising and sponsorship top priorities to repay the $13,000 loan. A Carnival to promote the sport of Hockey was conducted.

Noel Mason was honored as the First Life Member.

In a remarkable effort by club members all monies owed for the new grounds were repaid

The club continued to increase the junior teams, by assisting with primary school programs particularly in West Wodonga

Phase 1 of a training light project completed at a cost of $4,500.

Premierships to 13 Boys  and C Grade Men

• Veteran Women’s team entered, making a total of 14 teams, being one of the largest Clubs
  in the Association.
• 7 teams played in finals with the U17 Boys as Premiers.
• The Club won the inaugural Flo Joynson Memorial Hockey Albury- Wodonga Championship Cup in recognition of games won by teams during the year.
• 26 players represented Albury-Wodonga and 5 juniors went a step further representing Victoria.

The club made a submission to Wodonga City Council to have a Synthetic Field constructed using the existing dirt fields as a base.

Kyle Brereton worked many hours and a Grant of $68,000 approved by WCC & Vic Govt. for construction of new synthetic field

• 1996 was a time of confusion in regards to our Synthetic Field!
• This project was too large for a club to manage and fund, thus the Association were approached. approx. $200,000 project with loans secured by WCC and HAW and construction commenced.
• WHC was now a tenant of this field which was managed by HAW.

Premierships were won by Women’s Veterans and 13 Boys

19 April 1997 The Synthetic Field was officially opened.

• The Club introduced a new-look uniform and worked hard during pre-season to increase the strength of the Club.
• The vision was to create a club for members to have lots of fun and enjoy the game socially. 

The Synthetic Field has now been in use for many years and is in need of a few repairs.

A new surface is required and being looked at by HAW and Wodonga City Council

Wodonga City Council would like to see Wodonga Hockey move to a new field at Baranduda.

A new sporting precinct development and a new field – club house. This project could take 10 years to complete.

Wodonga Hockey Club started the project to build a CLUB HOUSE. Grant money achieved and plans into builder.

STRONG CLUBS
A strong club depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of a passionate group of people from Coaches & Managers backed by Supporters and Volunteers. The Club acknowledges the tireless work of Committee Members and in particular the Executive Committee.
The following people have been recognized with Life Membership:

• Noel Mason(Dec.)
• Elaine Behrens
• Dawn George
• Ian & Denise Livingstone
• Margaret Darmody
• KayeFleming
• Mat Poppins
• Margaret Brown
• Kyle Brereton
• Justin Wilson
• Della Poppins
• Vanessa Flanagan

What a year! The world got hit by COVID 19 and the country (world) went into lock down.

The season was cancelled and no field hockey was played.  Plans where still progressing for the new club house build. Expected to be completed by 2021.

THE FUTURE
Our Club continues to work towards the future by supporting and promoting hockey within our Association and beyond.

We encourage players to stay healthy and involved in this great sport – one filled with friendships and a sense of belonging. WHC have started Border Indoor Hockey for the summer period. A 16 week competition is run over summer.