It all kicks off at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex this Saturday and, while local competition has been front of mind, association secretary Kim Starkey said preparations for the league’s representative sides were also in full swing.
“Our association’s been working hard behind the scenes,” Starkey said.
“We have a small, but committed group on the executive committee who have been doing a lot to get everything happening.
“We also have our state junior country championship and senior country championships teams being organised at the moment.
“They’re big weekends and there’s a lot that goes on to get those teams on the pitch.”
At the hallowed “smurf turf’’ players from the competition’s three senior grades and junior grades will launch into action, with several storylines to keep an eye on.
Early points will go a long way, especially in A-grade with one club shooting for more success.
Striker’s Hockey Club’s bid for a club-record-extending seventh A-grade title in a row will begin when it hosts Echuca Moama, although the door has been pushed ajar slightly as the top echelon reverts to a three-team competition, forcing SYC to bide its time on the sideline.
Not so for the Scorchers’ B-grade side, following a third consecutive men’s gong in 2024.
It’ll aim to continue its stranglehold when it opens its season against the Strikers, while the two other challengers in the grade, Mooroopna and Echuca Moama, will also be hoping to make a strong start when they do battle.
For 2024 women’s grand finalists Strikers, their redemption tour kicks off against reigning premier Echuca Moama Green, one of two sides the River Rats will field in the grade.
Echuca Moama White will face Euroa.
Junior grades have undergone a reshuffle and will switch to under-15, under-12 and under-10.
The first bite of the competition hockey cherry belongs to Shepparton Christian College Lions and the Strikers under-12 under lights on Friday evening.
Representative hockey will also be showcased as Mooroopna continues its Women’s Victorian League 2 campaign.
After a 1-1 draw against Greater Dandenong and a 5-1 loss to La Trobe, Mooroopna hosts Knox Hockey Club in a bid to climb the ladder and earn its first victory of the season as a rising squad continues to find its feet.
