Dear Members,

I am pleased to confirm the composition of our esteemed board members for the upcoming season. Our dedicated board is comprised of individuals committed to the growth and success of our hockey community. Together, we aim to foster an inclusive environment where every player feels valued and supported. The board members for Hockey New England 2024 are as follows.

Myself, Dennis Behrend, as President

Timothy Murray as Vice President

Alisa Gray as Secretary

Sam Behrend, Rachael Nicoll, Jen Philp, Scott Strijland, Andrew Morgan, Tim Youman and Ryan Kelso as General Board Members

Furthermore, I am delighted to announce the confirmation of our Conveners, who play a vital role in organizing and overseeing the various divisions within our league. Their dedication ensures smooth operations and enhances the overall experience for our players and families. The Conveners for Hockey New England 2024 are as follows.

Jen Philp as Twilight/ Grounds Convener

Matt Jackson as Selection Convener

Roger Prowse as Complaints/ Judiciary Convener

Ryan Kelso as Mens Convener

Sophia Wright as Junior Convener

Tim Murray as Umpire Convener

Sam Behrend as Grading Convener

Jo Doolan as Womens Convener

Cassandra Strong as Womens Masters Convener

Flick McGann as Rep Convener

This season, our primary focus remains on fostering growth and inclusion within our hockey community. We are committed to providing opportunities for players of all skill levels to participate and thrive within Hockey New England.

You may have seen over the past few weeks the amazing work our volunteers have been doing getting our grounds ready for the 2024 season. We will be holding a working bee on Saturday, the 23rd of March, so please keep your eyes peeled for more information regarding this. Our draft completion is up and running for another year; indoor hockey and twilight are back again for another term. It is great to see so many players getting involved and taking part in these great events. I am looking forward to working with the board members and conveners to keep this momentum going into the winter season and it goes without saying thank you to all who have helped get the 2024 season underway.

We are thrilled to welcome both new and returning sponsors who have generously supported Hockey New England. Their partnership enables us to enhance the overall experience for our members and invest in important initiatives that benefit our community as a whole. I am looking forward to building strong alliances within the community to ensure Hockey New England is supported for many years to come through great local businesses with the same vision and values as Hockey New England.

I am pleased to announce that our winter season competition will commence the first weekend in May (Sunday the 4th) and run again for 15 rounds, with the final round commencing on Sunday the 31st of August. The finals series will commence on Sunday, September 7th, for the minor semi-finals; Sunday, the 14th of September, will be the major semi-finals, with the grand finals taking place on Sunday, the 21st of September. This is in line with last year, and this worked well.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and fair playing environment, we have updated our league rules. These updated rules will be made available to all members and clubs in the coming weeks, ensuring transparency and clarity for all involved. We have been working hard as a board these past two months to ensure we are providing clubs and players as much time as possible to be ready for the season's commencement, and we appreciate everyone's patience during these times. As some of you may be aware, some changes have been made within Hockey NSW, and we will be incorporating these changes to ensure we maintain the highest standard for our members and guests.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the past board for their dedication and hard work in laying a strong foundation for Hockey New England. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we are grateful for the legacy they have created. The new board is eager to build upon this foundation and continue to move our league forward.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting upgrades in store for our members, including some facility improvements that will help bring our Hockey New England grounds to the highest standard. We are committed to providing an exceptional experience for all involved. Stay tuned for more details on these exciting developments in the coming months.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to our members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for their ongoing support. All of this is only possible due to the incredible people we have around us, and together, we will continue to grow and strengthen our hockey community for years to come.

Thank you,

Dennis Behrend

President,

Life Member

Hockey New England Inc