HOCKEY ACT NOMINATED FOR THREE CBR SPORT AWARDS

HOCKEY ACT NOMINATED FOR THREE CBR SPORT AWARDS

Hockey ACT are pleased to have been nominated for three CBR Sport Awards in 2023. The awards vary from recognizing on field performance through to its work in the inclusion space and innovation to make sport more accessible to all.

Hockey ACT are pleased that the ACT U21 Men’s Indoor side has been nominated for the prestigious ACT Team of the Year following their National Championship victory in Brisbane in January. The side had a slow start to the tournament but once they found their groove, they reeled off five consecutive victories including a dominant 4 – 1 victory in the Gold Medal match over Western Australia. The side was led by an inspired performance by Canberra Chill star Connor Tuddenham who scored 10 goals for the tournament. To make the win even more impressive, the side’s victory came after the late withdrawals of Canberra Chill members Aiden Dooley and Dylan Brick who moved into the Open’s side just before the tournament.

The association has also been recognized for its work off the field having been nominated for both the Minister for Sport & Recreation Award for Inclusion for its work in the LGBTQI+ inclusion space along with being nominated for the Minister for Sport & Recreation Award for Innovation for its Walking Hockey Program.

The nomination in the inclusion space follows Hockey ACT’s recognition at the Pride in Sport Awards in May where the organisation was awarded the Pride in Sport Sports Organisation of the Year for the work it does to make its competitions and facilities as welcoming and accessible as possible for members of the LGBTQI+ community. In the process, the organisation received the highest score in the history of the Pride in Sport index. Hockey ACT CEO said at the time “We are incredibly proud to be recognized for our work in this space, but beyond that we are proud of the difference we are making to make our organisation and sport more welcoming for all peoples regardless of their ability, culture, religion or sexuality. Our commitment is genuine, and with genuine commitment, you have the power to make great change”.

Walking Hockey is a new program on the Hockey ACT calendar having been launched in October 2022. The aim of the program is to offer a low impact participation opportunity for those with mobility issues who still want to remain active. Sheekey continued “Hockey ACT want to make sure that all people have the ability to remain engaged in our sport and in our community even if their mobility no longer makes regular hockey a possibility for them. If we have learnt anything from Covid is that sport offers people an opportunity to socialize and connect which is far more important than results.”

The CBR Sport Awards will take place on Thursday 23 November and will offer a great launch pad into a big weekend of hockey with Canberra set to host the Hockey One Finals on the 25 & 26 November where the Canberra Chill will be hoping to claim its maiden Hockey One League crown.