Games

Juniors and Minkies were clearly beaming with excitement and the numbers told it all- around 40 for Juniors with four teams of 10 and this number expected to grow when the season kicks in May 2.

A further eight young players had their gear and smiles on for a skills session for Minkies. Very promising.

Only 22 players showed up for Intermediates, enough for only two teams to play, so no round robin unfortunately.

Although not as many as would be normal, the committee got wind of this situation a week earlier and did scale down the expectations and the event, primarily because of the slide being in town.

With the weather threatening as well, any player rescheduling their time on the postponement of the big slide decided to just stay at home.

Nevertheless an active and even game between the bibs and non bibs, with bibs taking it 3-2 in the end.

A big shout out to refs Lisa and Lloyd Garratt who started off the umpiring season.

Thanks also to the usual suspects of Ben, Justin, Di and others on the committee, or thosejust helping out by handling the queues wanting to register at the grounds.

And it was lovely to see familiar and new faces braving the threatening clouds to just come, catch up and watch the next generation of Cowra's finest have a hit in the paddock with mates.

Folders

When next we meet you may be surprised by being handed a folder.

This was the brain child I believe of Cherie McCabe, teacher extraordinaire, in an attempt place order where there is none ;) and one taken on by the committee.

The folder will contain blank team cards, rules and regulations, and an exercise book.

Each team will need to find a team manager/organizer/parent who will need to take charge of the folder, with the list of responsibilities placed inside the folder also for perusal.

The most important task of the Lord of the Folder is to complete a game card for their team each Saturday and ensure a Best and Fairest is listed on the card, signed by the umpire and handed in at the Canteen after the game.

Cards will no longer be filled in and waiting at the canteen for collection.

The exercise book in the folder is an aid for the better management of teams, it should be completed each week listing who played where on the day (and against whom) and any comments about success etc.

This will help the team understand their strengths and preferences so that success can be replicated, and hopefully defeat reduced.

A little bit of cutting and pasting here as reminders of upcoming events:

Umpiring Session- Tuesday, April 28.

As I have mentioned last week, Ben has arranged a quick umpiring session so that we can all catch up with the three major changes in rules, brush up on the old stuff and be blessed with a whole lot of umpiring resources, thanks to the interwebs pulled together by our intrepid Ben and friends, provided to improve your umpiring confidence.

Computers will be there and it should only take a half hour to an hour, followed by pizza! What could be better?

Session will start promptly at 6pm so that no one has to hang around too long. It will be held at St Raphael's (Lab three) -if you walk down the driveway into the school it will be first building you run into.

There will be internet available so you can register online for the community or level one umpiring while you are there and in the mood.

Each team needs to send three of their rank to attend and feed the information back to the rest of the group.

If pizza isn't enough to get your three people there, remember that penalty points apply against your team.

Kids are welcome, so if you want to come and learn more about umpiring, come!

Team Nominations

Speaking of teams, we are leaving team nominations a bit late again.

Its pretty hard to get comps together and be organized for the first game of the season when actually very few teams have as yet nominated.

Please, please, speak to Ben or Di to let them know of your team's plans.

If you don't know there number message the Facebook page and I'm sure someone will get in touch with you.

Right now I can't tell you any draw information particularly for seniors and that's because we are all dragging the chain officially nominating teams!

Registrations

Don't make me put in the paper again the process of how to register.

You know you have to register before you play.

You know you have to go to www.hockeynsw.com.au and you know you need a credit card.

If you are having problems, see the information on the Facebook Page and if you are still having problems, leave a message and someone will get it sorted.

Next Meeting - Tuesday 28th April

The next meeting will be on the Tuesday 28th April, with a change of venue - St Raphael's, straight after the Umpiring Session.

So, you could do 2-for-1 and get in both meetings! (did I mention pizza?) Remember, again you need to send reps to avoid points loss.

Draw

The draw is yet to be completed. Traditionally Intermediates will have their names called out prior to start time to tell them what team they will be in, but Seniors as mentioned are still yet to be developed.

Tune in to the same Bat Time and the same Bat Channel over the next couple of weeks for more information.