The first hockey gala day of its kind for the region's primary school students was held on Wednesday April 3 as part of a new partnership between Mudgee District Hockey Association and Hockey NSW.
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Over 100 year five and six students from Mudgee Public School, Cudgegong Valley Public School and Rylstone Public School participated in the introduction to hockey, learning the ins and outs of the sport.
Treasurer of Mudgee District Hockey Association Bec Box says gala day's are not only an essential part of establishing a career in hockey but also a way of providing more opportunities for regional kids.
"It's so important because there is a huge population of kids in this town that either don't know hockey actually operates in Mudgee or they've never had the opportunity to play," she said.
The growth in the sport starts with the young players. It's so exciting to see how many kids turned out today to have a go at it.
- Bec Box
"One of the great things about our competition is that it runs on a Friday afternoon so it does interfere with all of the other sports."
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Hockey NSW Regional Coaching Coordinator for Western Region Kate Pulbrook says approximately 90 per cent of school students who participate in the first initial gala day have never played before, and says it's a great way for them to try something new.
"For a lot of them, it's the first time they've ever touched a stick so for them, it's a great opportunity to get involved and see how they feel about the sport," Pulbrook said.
It's important because a lot of the kids don't get a lot of opportunities elsewhere, and it gives them another option. We see it as a game for life.
- Kate Pulbrook
Due to the newly established partnership between Hockey NSW and Mudgee Hockey, it is likely these type of events will continue throughout the year with an under 12s clinic held during the school holidays next on the calendar.
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