The West Gippsland Hockey Association (WGHA) is a sports club located in Baw Baw Shire, Victoria. The club is responsible for the development and governance of five playing groups at Bellbird Park in Drouin: Aztecs, Drouids, Gulls, Warriors, and Gippsland Strikers.
The regional playing groups cater to players of all ages, ranging from mixed juniors (Under 12, 15, and 18) to men's and women's competitions. All games in the regional competition are played on a high-quality hybrid synthetic pitch at Bellbird Park, which features competition standard lighting for both daytime and evening play.
The Gippsland Strikers, on the other hand, are the metropolitan teams that include junior, senior, and masters players. These teams participate in the Melbourne Metropolitan Hockey Competition organised by Hockey Victoria.
The main goal of the WGHA is to provide a supportive and fun environment for all players while also giving them the opportunity to develop their hockey skills and participate in competitive and friendly competitions. The club strives to assist in the development and support of additional programmes, including state and country tournaments, umpiring, and coaching skills.
Hockey is a unique family sport that welcomes people from all walks of life, regardless of age or skill level. The WGHA offers various programmes to cater to different age groups and levels of experience. For younger players, there is the Hook into Hockey programme, which introduces them to the fun of hockey. Older juniors and adults can participate in summer hockey.
Additionally, there are opportunities to compete in Junior Country Championships, Junior State Championships, and Senior Country Weekends.
The WGHA prides itself on providing its player groups with access to a high-quality hybrid synthetic pitch, ensuring optimal playing conditions. With competition standard lighting, games and training can take place during the day or evening. The hockey season typically runs until December, but there are options to continue playing throughout the year for those interested.
Overall, the West Gippsland Hockey Association offers a welcoming and inclusive community for hockey enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Whether a beginner or a seasoned player, everyone is encouraged to join and enjoy the sport while developing their skills and forming lifelong friendships.