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About
College Hockey
College Committee 2021
The Operations Committee meets monthly and ensures the smooth running of the club. We are fortunate to have a highly organised and motivated committee that is very proactive in achieving their objectives.
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Born and bred in the Waikato and now living in Palmy. Due to my work, I have been lucky to live in several different regions within NZ with this being my third time in Palmy.
Teams that I have coached here are PNBHS 1st eleven for four years, Manawatu Women in the early days of NHL and now I am one of the coaches for the PNCHC Men’s prem team. I was also the coach of the NZ masters over 35 Women’s team for 17 years.
Doug Sommerville
Chairman
Lives and breathes College Hockey
Makes sure the debits and credits always balance behind the scenes
Never scored a goal, own-goals excluded, in over 15 years playing for Men’s Prem team
Andrew Bethwaite
Treasurer
I love proudly wearing the College black and white … I even have knitted garments (yep true)
Am expert at organising stuff (just ask my husband lol)
Can’t whistle or sing according to my family
Have been a member of the club (player, coach, administrator, board member) for over half my life (you’ll have to guess how long that is!)
Fiona Chard
Committee member
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I have been involved with College Hockey for 4 years and this is my 2nd year coaching the Premier Women's A team. I enjoy being part of College's club atmosphere, I grew up playing hockey in Western Australia for a club with the same values and spirit as College. I look forward to another great year with the College Premier A team and developing my coaching further.
Narelle O'Connor
Committee member
I play for the Womans 3rd Div Team on a Sunday and currently Manage the Womans Premier Team and have for the last 2 years. When I left school over 20yrs ago I played for the Woman’s Div 1 Team and have always been a loyal member of the College Hockey Club.
I have made many life long friends through the club and now my daughter belongs to the club and I can give back my time in different areas. I am Looking forward to another great season for 2021 with College Hockey.
Becs Coss
Committee member
I have a long family history of playing for the club and my dad would disown me if I played for another one!
I have no skills to offer, that is why I am at the back!
I have played over 450 first division hockey games.
Warren Phillips
Committee member
My family all play for the club and my parents have been involved for many years.
"College for Life" Its the only club to play for.
Defender but as I've got older I have moved up the field!!
Games- far too many to count.
Sheree Phillips
Committee member
I’ve been a member of College Hockey Club for a number of years and enjoy the camaraderie of the club and it’s members - it’s like another family. I am still enjoying playing and hopefully sharing some of my knowledge with my team mates.
My roles on the committee includes apparel, communication and IT, which I am continually learning more about! I enjoy helping organising events and contributing to making our club the best it can be!
Tara Pickering
Committee member
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I started with College Hockey in 2009 playing for the Men’s C team. Never played hockey before but the club welcomed me with open arms. Joined the committee 7 years ago and been Club Captain for the last 5 years. Have met so many new friends and my wife through the club via time at the turf and social events.
Sheridan Boner
Committee member
Coming...
Alton Rhodes
Committee member
History of College Hockey
The Palmerston North College Hockey Club (College Hockey) began in 1904 as the Palmerston North College Old Boys Hockey Club and players came from the wider Manawatu area.
Easter tournaments were where the ‘College’ clubs from Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington and Napier congregated to annually battle it out for the coveted Easter Tournament Cup. With the changes to the structure of hockey over the years, sadly this bastion for the College Hockey Club no longer occurs.
The Club has a strong history of fostering young players and providing a family atmosphere amongst its players. The youngsters, those in the prime of their hockey careers, and those tending towards ‘over the hill’ are all welcomed into the club in a friendly and inclusive manner.
Initially, the club only catered for men’s hockey but in 1992 a women’s social side was set up and from there the women’s teams evolved. Our membership numbers have generally hovered at around 100 people (men, women & social/honorary members). From the table below you can see that College teams entered into the Manawatu competitions have been consistent and are in fact, growing. In 2013, as part of our Strategic Plan, we increased our teams and numbers by 20% to take us to around 120 members.
Old Timers Network
We understand that to grow or at least maintain our numbers, we need to be a vibrant and inclusive club. We have developed relationships with a number of schools so that their aspiring hockey players can filter through to open grade games in a seamless manner.
Our fees are structured so that we can subsidise school children and first-year school leavers.
We sponsor local training workshops for players & umpires and provide financial assistance to our representative players.
Overarching all of this we ensure that the club is run efficiently and effectively so that the players can get on and enjoy their chosen sport.
We have a dedicated scholarships development fund which allows the club to foster and subsidise external training for our members and subsidised subscription fees for our student members.
Developing Youth
We understand that to grow or at least maintain our numbers, we need to be a vibrant and inclusive club. We have developed relationships with a number of schools so that their aspiring hockey players can filter through to open grade games in a seamless manner.
Our fees are structured so that we can subsidise school children and first-year school leavers.
We sponsor local training workshops for players & umpires and provide financial assistance to our representative players.
Overarching all of this we ensure that the club is run efficiently and effectively so that the players can get on and enjoy their chosen sport.
We have a dedicated scholarships development fund which allows the club to foster and subsidise external training for our members and subsidised subscription fees for our student members.
