Coming off the back of making the 2013 men’s finals for the first time in over a decade, Sydney University Hockey Club (SUHC) is excited to announce that 2014 has begun well with the confirmation of several new key players.
Adding to the already star studded men’s Premier Squad of 2013, which included the likes of Tom Lobsey (Australian Hockey League), Jackie Tran (NSW U21s), Troy Rossiter (Australian indoor keeper), Pete Kelly (former Australian Hockey League and Indian Premier League) and Chris Boyle (NSW U18s and Australian School Boys) plus more, SUHC is proud to announce the additions to the squad of:
- Matthew Phillips (former NSW Australian Hockey League and Indian World Hockey League member as well as a two-time Sydney Hockey Association premiership winning captain)
- Graeme Brennan (2013 Australian Hockey League Tasmania squad)
- Paul Counsell (NSW U18s and current U21s Squad)
- Brent Russ (NSW U18s and current U21s Squad)
SUHC Coaching Director Scott Barker is excited by the new recruits and believes SUHC will be extremely strong in 2014.
“SUHC have been building year on year for a while now and there is genuine excitement within the hockey community and the interest in joining SUHC has never been as strong,” explained Barker.
“We are witnessing more and more players understanding and appreciating the benefits of joining the club. We are about building pathways and opportunities for both developing players and coaches who wish to push for representative honours.”
SUHC have been working alongside Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) for a number of years to build an unmatched elite athlete pathway for Hockey in NSW and Australia.
“You only have to look at the results and successes of Sydney University’s rugby, cricket and rowing clubs, and the plethora of Olympians and Australian Representatives they have produced over the last 10 years to know that hockey will not be far behind them,” said SUHC President Ben Chiarella.
“We will not stop until we are the premier club in Australia. We have the blueprint for success as seen in the rugby and cricket structures and we will continue to build. This has been years of hard work from a lot of volunteers, however we now have the coaching structures in place to provide opportunities and development for up and coming players. We as a club also have access to the best fitness trainers, dieticians, gymnasium equipment, physios and specialists that any club in NSW could possibly offer through the infrastructure provided by SUSF.”
Chiarella also believes that “once SUHC have secured a turf in the coming years, the choice will be simple. If you want to push for representative hockey whilst having access to elite athlete services, a huge professional and corporate athlete network and further educational opportunities, you will play for Sydney University.”
The men’s Premier Division coaches for 2014 include first grade and assistant NSW U21s coach Aaron Goninon and up and coming second grade coach Chris Pelow (former SUHC first grader and Irish representative player). Preseason is well underway, with the boys working hard on their fitness. 2014 is shaping as a defining year in the clubs history. Watch out Sydney Hockey Association, the Students are here to stay.
