On Friday Hockey NSW announced a new tentative recommencement date for the 2020 Hockey season, along with range of options for our members in regard to their 2020 Hockey NSW registration fee.

The governing body had originally suspended all hockey related activities until May 2, but said due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the current NSW Government Public Health Order being in place until Monday June 30, that was untenable.

As such, they have delayed the start of all hockey competitions in NSW until Saturday July 18.

This date would also allow a potential return to training, pending public health restrictions and advice, on July 1

The news comes as Central Coast hockey takes the opportunity whilst the season has been paused to commence a $1.4M upgrade of their Wyong facilities thanks to grants from both State and Federal governments. The upgrades include replacing their 25yr old sand surface to a new Olympic quality playing pitch, replacing their other water based playing surface tand and extension to the warm up pitch. They are hopefull both pitches will be all ready for the competiton start in July.

In light of the further delay to the season, the Hockey NSW Board and management have also decided to offer members who have already paid their registration fees for the season two options:

1. Any member who has had a change in circumstance due to the COVID-19 pandemic can request a refund for the Hockey NSW portion of their fees.

OR

2. A member may choose to let Hockey NSW retain our portion of the fees they have already paid, and in return the member will have their Hockey NSW fees covered for the remaining portion of the 2020 season plus the entire 2021 hockey season.

The media release from Hockey NSW said that in reaching this decision, they considered the fact that many members of our community are now in a difficult financial position due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may need access to these funds in order to provide for themselves over the coming months.

However, it was also important for the organisation to protect its financial viability moving forward to ensure programs, pathways and opportunities are in place and available for current and future generations after the COVID-19 situation settles.

Any member who is in the financial position to do so, may register as normal up until July 18 for the 2020 season and will be also have their Hockey NSW registration fee covered for the 2021 season.

Members who have already registered for 2020 and wish to receive a refund will be able to request one through the official form on the Hockey NSW website which will be available from May 4. Refunds will be processed periodically throughout May and all requests should be fulfilled by mid-June.

Once the 2020 season begins, members who have not yet registered will be able to do so normally.