User:Sebm87/Waverley Hockey Club

The Waverley Hockey Club, also known as Waverley, is one of the premier hockey clubs in Victoria under the Hockey Victoria competition.

Waverley caters for players of all ages and skill level, with top level senior mens and womens teams as well as junior teams from under 9 to under 17 age groups. Waverley also runs a Minkey program for children under 7 and below.

Since it’s humble beginnings in 1958 Waverley has risen to become a proud and prominent club throughout the Victorian competition. Over its history it has boasted seven Australian Representatives and has produced countless Victorian Representatives as well as VIS scholarship holders.

Apart from the traditonal competitive nature of the “Panthers”, Waverley also possesses a strong social scene that encourages participation within the club off the field. The entire club is very close-knit which further supports the retention of players through the ranks during their development in the club.

Waverley will enjoy the registration of over 32 teams in the Hockey Victoria competition in 2009, this cements Waverley as one of the largest clubs in Melbourne. Yet the club is constantly looking to introduce the community and new members to the benefits of a healthy sporting life, by joining an athletically team based sport such as hockey.

This year, in 2009, we are proudly celebrating our 50th year in Victorian Hockey and looking back on the strength, stability and strength of Waverley within the competition over the past half century. Waverley is a proud club built on the hard work of all members who want the club to be recognised as the leading benchmark setter in the Victorian hockey league.

It is important that all members understand, honour and respect what has been achieved by the club and those involved in our 50 year’s. We should also be excited for the next 50 years of success and excellence that is proudly a common trait to all Waverley Panthers.

The Beginning
In the years prior to 1958 the Elsternwick Hockey Club had seen many of it’s talented players cease playing when they married, as they purchased homes in the developing areas on the outskirts of Melbourne, and found it difficult to stay active members of the club. In 1958 the Mount Waverley area was one of the most rapidly developing suburbs in Melbourne. It was realised that at least nine Elsternwick players lived in this area, which prompted the Elsternwick hockey club secretary at the time, Arthur Slade to write letters to each, with the suggestion of forming a new club in the Mount Waverley area. So with the contacting of other players from other clubs who also lived in the area, there was enough support for the formation of the new club, and on 30th of October 1958 at an informal meeting, the Mount Waverley Hockey Club was formed.

On the Field
In its inaugural year, the Mount Waverley Hockey Club consisted of one team in C grade. Immediate on-field success followed and this team won three premierships in a row and promotion to B grade. A second team was entered in 1960, a fourth team in 1969, a seventh team in 1979, and a veterans team in 1981. Team numbers stabilised at eight. The Waverley mens team first played in the top grade in 1974.

With increasing development in the Waverley area, it was felt that the title of “Mount Waverley Hockey Club” was inappropriate, so in February 1964, the club was renamed the “Waverley Hockey Club”.

The first junior team was entered in 1961, numbers increased rapidly to five in 1969, ten in 1974, twelve in 1981, and have now stabilised at nineteen. The junior teams consist of girls, boys and mixed teams ranging from under 9 to under 17. Waverley has one of the largest junior membership in Victoria.

In 1969 two recent school leavers from Mount Waverley High initiated moves to form the Waverley Womens Hockey Club. One team (mostly schoolgirls) was entered in the lowest grade of competition and finished fourth. A second team was entered 1970 and a third in 1972. The women won their first premiership in 1972. The number of teams increased to four in 1974, and to six in 1979. The women reached the top grade in 1985.

The mens and womens clubs operated separately but co-operatively from 1969, until their amalgamation in 1980.

Waverley has won the first grade mens competition on eight occasions and the womens five times and numerous premierships in the juniors and other grades. Many players have gained representative honours at state, national and Olympic level.

The Ground
The rapid growth in team numbers and the competition format limiting play to Saturdays meant that the club had to operate from a number of venues for many years. These venues included Syndal State School, Syndal Technical College, Sixth Avenue Reserve, Burton Street Reserve, Essex Heights Reserve, Larpent Street Reserve, Electra Avenue, Jingella Avenue, Waverley High School, Glen Waverley High School, Waverley Meadows Primary School, Gladeswood Reserve and Jells Park. The club did not have access to a pavilion until it’s thirteenth year of operation.

In the mid 1970’ the Waverley council provided two grounds at Electra Avenue and a Pavilion. One of these grounds was subsequently upgraded to an en-tout-cas surface, ground lighting was installed at club expense. Council subsequently extended an existing building at this reserve to provide excellent facilities shared by the hockey club and a senior citizens group. Waverley Hockey Club with the support of the City of Monash consolidated at Winbirra Parade, Ashwood and pioneered the installation of modern synthetic surfaces at club level. The ground at Ashwood was laid in May 1986. Clubroom facilities were added in two stages through the 1990’s. The two grass grounds provided at this venue were relinquished in the mid-1990s as more clubs installed synthetic surfaces.

Waverley boasts over 40 teams entered into all levels of indoor and outdoor hockey. Our top teams in Juniors, Women’s and Men’s sections all play at the highest possible level in Victoria’s hockey competitions and have enjoyed regular success over the years. This is due to the quality of our facilities, a strong relationship with the City of Monash, support from local businesses, outstanding coaching, sound administration and the considerable involvement of members and parents.

50th Year Celebrations
Hockey Club proudly celebrates 50 distinguished and prominent years as one of the premier hockey clubs in Victoria.

Since the humble beginnings of our club back in 1959 we have grown and prospered to become a revered force. Over its history it has produced high class Australian Representatives and countless Victorian Representatives as well as VIS scholarship holders - this obviously highlights Waverley’s dominance on the pitch yet an even stronger bond between the club, club members and the community as a whole exists which is a special strength within Waverley.

From the very first team in 1959 we will proudly enjoy the registration of over 32 teams in 2009! This cements Waverley as one of the largest clubs in Melbourne and a powerhouse in Victorian hockey with an enormous amount of premierships and promotions considering our shorter history.

2009 is shaping up to be an extremely exciting year for the club with significant milestones being achieved throughout the celebratory year:


 * 50 Year Black Tie Ball
 * Organised Club Days
 * New Turf
 * Clubroom Refurbishment - The clubroom’s also saw a makeover with a re-painting of the Pavilion, the installation of a first class PA system as well as the “Waverley-isation” of the back wall with historical memorabilia in honor of our history.
 * Bert Batch Cup - A historic match in round 1 was undertaken against old rivals Camberwell in which Waverley won 3-2.
 * Finals! - Waverley will be expecting nothing short of finals action for all teams in what is a strong playing year for the club.

Premierships
Waverley Hockey Club is continually competitive and is a powerhouse of Victorian Hockey as shown by the numerous premierships it has achieved at the highest club level (State League 1). Men SL1 - 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Womens SL1 - 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007

Victorian Vikings/Vipers
Waverley has had great success in producing elite state level representatives in the past and present. Currently Waverley has five players in the Vikings & Vipers Squads: Stacia Joseph, Renee Trost, Tom Scott, Corey Joseph and Luke Doerner. The Vipers are coached by Waverley player Toni Cumpston.

VIS Scholarship Holders 2009
Stephen Jarvis, Luke Doerner, Tom Scott and Luke Young.

Australian Players
Waverley Hockey Club boasts several past and present Australian players which include: Renee Trost, Stacia Joseph, Leah Merrett, Colin Batch, Craig Fairbrother, Nigel Patmore, Matthew Dipnall, Treva King, Stephen Purcell, Stuart Carruthers, Brett Gray, Brett Thompson, Tim Thompson, Travis Brooks, Stephan Mowlam and Luke Doerner

Many of these players competed over the years in Champions Trophy, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Hockey World Cup, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Waverley players have enjoyed success in these tournaments becoming the champions in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as well as Bronze and Gold Medals in the Olympic Games.

Teams
The Waverley Hockey Club currently holds teams in all top divisions and has teams registered in the following divisions of the Hockey Victoria winter competition:

Mens

 * 1) State League 1
 * 2) Pennant A
 * 3) Pennant B
 * 4) Pennant E
 * 5) Metro 2 - South & East
 * 6) Metro 3 - East
 * 7) Metro 4 - East
 * 8) Veterans D - East

Womens

 * 1) State League 1
 * 2) Pennant A
 * 3) Pennant D
 * 4) Metro 2 - South
 * 5) Veterans B

Juniors

 * U17 Pennant A
 * U17 South
 * U17 East
 * U17A Girls - Ron Penpraze Shield
 * U17 South Girls
 * U15A - George Stapleton Shield
 * U15A Girls - Margaret Tomlinson Shield
 * U15 Girls South
 * U15 North
 * U15 East
 * U13A - Ron Ford Shield
 * U13A Girls - Ken Parkin Shield
 * U13 North A & B
 * U11A - Keith Thornton Shield
 * U11 North A & B
 * U9 East A & B
 * Minkey Hockey Teams

Summer & Indoor
During the Summer months the Waverley Hockey Club enters in several social and competitive summer hockey as well as indoor hockey teams.