Premier League hockey hits Shepparton

By Daniel Webb

Jul 20, 2022

Local talent: Liam Schreck will pull on the red-and-black of Essendon on Saturday. Photo: Rodney Braithwaite Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

The Shepparton Hockey Complex will be awash with some of the state’s brightest hockey talent on Saturday, with a duo of Victorian Premier League clubs set to showcase their skills.

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As part of the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association’s Premier League Day, the Essendon Hockey Club will take on the Camberwell Hockey Club as part of a full day of action.

After a successful instalment in 2019, the event is set to return to Shepparton and Hockey Victoria Competitions Manager Sean Atkinson said the league was thrilled to return to the city.

“It is exciting to once again be bringing Premier League matches to regional Victoria and we look forward to the contests between Essendon Hockey and Camberwell Hockey Club,” Atkinson said.

“This is a brilliant way to showcase some of the best Victorian talent, both male and female, which we hope will inspire a new generation of players to take up hockey.”

While both sides feature talent from across the state, a number of locals will be in action on the day.

Essendon is set to feature Connor Holland, Nathan McBain and Xavier McBain of the Strikers Hockey Club, Lewis Citroen of the Benalla Hockey Club and Liam Schreck of the SYC Hockey Club in their Premier League and reserves squad, while Camberwell has Echuca-Moama Hockey Club’s Sam Lowndes in its lineup.

While there are no locals participating in the women’s game, supporters will be treated to both Australian and international talent on the field.

A number of Hockeyroo development players will feature in the main event alongside Belgium internationals Joanne Peeters and Maartje Goderie, while Japanese talent Hazuki Yuda is also set to make an appearance.

City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the event showed the city’s capabilities to host Commonwealth Games events.

“It is fantastic for Greater Shepparton to be hosting an event such as this, continuing to showcase Greater Shepparton as regional Australia’s sporting event capital and also showcases our wonderful facilities at Shepparton Sports City,” Sali said.

The day will begin with a junior hockey clinic from noon-1pm, with the Men’s Premier League sides battling it out at 1.30pm and the women’s at 3pm on Pitch One.

Meanwhile on Pitch Two the order is reversed, with the Women’s Premier League Reserves starting at 1.30pm and the men’s at 3pm.