South Coast hockey players look towards July return date

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the current NSW Government public health order in place until Monday, June 30, Hockey NSW's original recommencement date of May 2 is now untenable.

As such, the start of all hockey competitions in NSW, such as the Shoalhaven Hockey competition and Sydney Premier League, which features a hosts of South Coast products, are delayed until Saturday, July 18.

This date would also allow a potential return to training on July 1, subject to the status of public health restrictions and advice.

Read more: Berry men and women claim Shoalhaven Hockey double

Due to this further delay, the Hockey NSW board and management has now made a decision on the situation regarding 2020 registration fees, which can all be found via their website.

Hockey NSW chief executive officer David Thompson believes that it is vitally important to support members through these unprecedented times.

"Our members are always at the forefront of every decision we make for the sport, and this situation is no different," he said.

"Hockey NSW is leading the way in the sporting industry with this response and we hope to see other sports follow our lead and support their members in a similar way.

Read more: 'Everything that's happened has given me a lot of perspective': Commerford

"It is an extremely difficult task to ensure that hockey in NSW remains economically viable while also weighing up the desperate financial situation of thousands of our members.

"However, I believe the solution we have developed balances these two competing priorities equally."

Late last month, Hockey NSW made the decision to cancel all field state championship events in 2020, as they are now prioritising their energies into planning for the resumption of community hockey competitions around the state.