THE Gippsland Bulls will again field women’s hockey teams this winter season after struggling for numbers in recent years.
The two sides will be entered in the Women’s Vic League 2 and Vic League 2 reserves divisions.
The Bulls previously fielded women’s teams in divisions as high as State League 2, the equivalent of Vic League 1 under the new competition structure, thanks to a cadre of highly skilled players.
Coach Doug Earwicker said he was looking forward to the comeback and “the challenge of taking a new squad, new players and achieving something”.
Earwicker coached the previous women’s team for three years, the men’s side for four years and various junior sides for more than a decade.
“(The aim is to) build (the girls’) game knowledge and skill levels,” Earwicker said.
Development is a focus for the players as well.
New player Corinna Hull is taking the Bulls by the horns.
“(I’m) thoroughly loving the opportunity to progress on those skills learnt when playing in the local competition and to be able to play (with) and learn from some women that have played at a much higher level,” Hull said.
“We have some amazingly talented athletes in the team and we want to be able to provide them with the opportunity to progress.”
The reformation of the women’s Vic League squad also allows the Bulls to provide a more consistent pathway for juniors coming up the ranks.
For the past two years, players who graduated from Bulls’ junior sides have been forced to move to another club in order to continue.
“The GBHC is extremely proud to be able to once again offer the Gippsland region a locally based pathway for females of all ages to develop their hockey talents,” Bulls president Chris Senini said.
The Bulls begin their campaign at Bellbird Park on Sunday.
The reserves match starts at 12.30pm with the Vic League 2 following at 2pm.
For more information about the club visit
gippslandbullshc@hockeyvictoria.org.au or the Gippsland Bulls Facebook page.
