By Tara Murray
Caroline Springs Hockey Club continues to grow and develop in the Hockey Victoria Vic League competition.
Its top women’s side earned promotion into Vic League 2 last year, while the men’s top side has joined the Vic League ranks this season, playing in Vic League 3.
Springers vice-president Ron Shadbolt said making the Vic League had been a goal when the club started three years ago.
“Overall the club is going quite well,” he said.
“Things are starting to settle now after a good start.
“That [Vic League] was the goal, but the hard work begins now. It’s about maintaining that goal now.”
Both the men’s and women’s sides have new coaches this year.
Hans Kovarik has taken over from David Gorton in coaching the men’s side, while Bo Kelly is coaching the women’s side.
Shadbolt, who had coached the women’s side the past two years, said both he and Gorton had decided they needed a year off coaching.
“I’ve been coaching non-stop for 34 years,” he said.
“Teams can get used to getting the same message and sometimes you need new voices.
“I’m still overseeing the coaching. I’m starting to spend more time with the juniors.”
Shadbolt said things were looking positive for both Vic League sides this season, with high hopes again.
The men’s top side started the season with an 11-1 win against Old Melburnians, before a bye in round two.
“It’s a different style of play,” Shadbolt said of going up the grades.
“We only lost one or two players from last year and we’ve got a quality side.
“We started quite well and we expected that.
“Hans was really pleased with how they played on the day. I think we will have a pretty strong team.”
The women’s top side is looking to defend its title in Vic League 2.
Shadbolt said they were given the opportunity to go into Vic League 1, their second promotion in as many years, but decided against it this season.
“We don’t have depth in our second side,” he said. “We want to build a solid base and if we are able to get back there and have a shot at Vic League 1, we’ll look at taking it.”
The Springers started the season with a 0-0 draw against Bayside Cougars, after not capitalising on their dominance of the play.
All up this season, Caroline Springs has four senior sides and three junior teams.
