The 2016 season is looming as one of the most exciting in the history of Melton Hockey Club.
After years of playing on a substandard field, the Mustangs are preparing to move to a new base at Bridge Road.
As well as a state-of-the-art hybrid field, the club will also have access to a training and warm-up area, as well as a pavilion.
Melton president Ron Shadbolt said the move would be a fresh start for the club.
“It is ground-breaking for us,” he said.
“We have played on substandard surfaces and facilities for the last seven or eight years. It has been one of the reasons we are not fully competitive.
“To be playing on a hybrid field, we will now be able to introduce the game plans we know are needed for those types of fields.
“It will really help our highly skilled technical players more than anything else. When you hit the ball, it won’t die like it does on the sand field.”
The Mustangs expect the upgrade in facilities to also help the club when it comes to recruiting.
Having had three men’s teams and three women’s teams last season, interest is high from potential new recruits keen to play in the area.
Shadbolt is hoping the Mustangs can enter eight senior teams next season.
There will also be the potential to run localised competitions at Melton.
“We are already getting inquiries from players who are keen to join the club,” he said.
“More importantly, I expect we will be running our own local under-10 competition with a number of teams.
“That means children won’t have to travel to play hockey,” Shadbolt said.
“Hockey Victoria is supporting us with an in-school program as well, which should reach 1000 children.”
Melton has also confirmed its coaching panel for the 2016 season.
Shadbolt will once again co-coach the women’s team with David Gorton.
Glenn Lawrence will lead the men’s team.
Pre-season training for both sides started earlier this month, with the 2016 season set to kick off in April.
