Hockey
Hockey at St Mary's College: CSSA mixed and girls' teams Years 7–12, Wednesday training at Wattle Creek Hockey Centre with a $4 College bus, 1st XI Saturday fixtures, remaining Term 3 2026 draw, coaches, gear, selection and cost.
Hockey is one of our smaller but most committed sports. Because the College does not have a synthetic pitch, training and home games are held at the Wattle Creek Hockey Centre on Old Mill Road, a ten-minute bus trip from the College. We field five Senior teams in the CSSA winter competition and a 1st XI that plays Saturday mornings. Hockey is a Senior School (Years 7–12) sport only; there is no NDPSA Junior hockey competition, although Years 5–6 may join the Term 4 "Hook in2 Hockey" clinics run at the Hockey Centre.
Who can play
Years 7–12, boys and girls. CSSA hockey is played in mixed divisions at Junior (Years 7–8), Intermediate (Years 9–10) and Senior (Years 11–12) levels, plus an Open Girls division. Beginners are welcome — about a third of our Junior team had never held a stick before Term 2.
Season
CSSA Winter season, Terms 2–3. Round 1 Wednesday 22 April 2026; Grand Final Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Training
| Day | Time | Venue | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 3:30–5:00pm | Wattle Creek Hockey Centre, 88 Old Mill Road | College bus departs Senior gate 3:30pm; returns to College 5:20pm |
Because CSSA fixtures are also on Wednesdays, training is a post-match session for teams playing at home at the Hockey Centre, and a full session for teams who played away (they travel straight from their game). Students may be collected from the Hockey Centre at 5:00pm instead of returning on the bus — tick the option on the Portal permission form.
Coaches and team structure
| Team | Year levels | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 1st XI (Saturday & Wednesday Senior Mixed) | Years 10–12 | Ms Anna Vogel (Hockey Victoria Level 2, external coach) |
| Open Girls | Years 9–12 | Ms Anna Vogel |
| Intermediate Mixed | Years 9–10 | Mr Hamish Reid |
| Junior Mixed A | Years 7–8 | Mr Hamish Reid |
| Junior Mixed B | Years 7–8 | Mrs Fiona Grant |
Goalkeepers are coached fortnightly by Wattle Creek Hockey Club's keeper coach.
Remaining Term 3 2026 fixtures — CSSA Wednesday (1:20–3:25pm)
All St Mary's "home" games are at the Wattle Creek Hockey Centre, Pitch 1. Buses leave the Senior gate at 1:20pm for both home and away games. Games start at 2:00pm (2 × 25-minute halves). Students return to the College by 3:25pm unless staying for training.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Game time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 6 | Wednesday 26 August 2026 | Loyola College | Home — Wattle Creek Hockey Centre | 2:00pm |
| Round 7 | Wednesday 2 September 2026 | Emmaus College | Away — Greenhaven Hockey Fields | 2:00pm |
| Semi Final | Wednesday 9 September 2026 | As per ladder | State Hockey Centre, Parkville (neutral) — bus departs 12:45pm | 2:00pm |
| Grand Final | Wednesday 16 September 2026 | Winners of semis | State Hockey Centre, Parkville (neutral) — bus departs 12:45pm | 2:00pm |
Ladder after Round 5: Senior Mixed 2nd, Open Girls 1st, Inter Mixed 4th, Junior A 3rd, Junior B 5th. Finals at Parkville return to the College at approximately 4:15pm; a Portal permission form is required.
Year 9 note: Year 9 students are on City Experience in Week 8 and miss Round 7.
Saturday fixtures — 1st XI
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 29 August 2026 | Sacred Heart College | Wattle Creek Hockey Centre, Pitch 1 | 8:45am |
| Saturday 5 September 2026 | Semi Final v St Bede's College | Wattle Creek Hockey Centre, Pitch 2 | 10:15am |
| Saturday 12 September 2026 | Grand Final (if qualified) | State Hockey Centre, Parkville | 9:30am |
Parents transport players to Saturday games.
What to bring
- Sport uniform to school on Wednesdays; playing shirt issued for the season
- Mouthguard and shin pads — compulsory. No mouthguard, no play
- Own stick recommended (College has a loan set of 20 sticks for Junior players); stick bag
- Long navy socks (sold at the Uniform Shop, $14), drink bottle, hat for the sideline
- Goalkeepers: full kit supplied by the College
Wet weather
Hockey is played in the rain on synthetic turf. Games and training are cancelled for lightning, for a 35°C forecast at 9:00am, on Total Fire Ban days, or if the Hockey Centre closes the pitch. Notification is via the Parent Portal by 12:30pm Wednesday. Saturday cancellations by SMS by 7:00am.
Selection
Trials at the first two Wednesday sessions of Term 2. Everyone who trials is placed. The 1st XI (16 players) is chosen on skill and commitment, and reviewed at the end of Term 2.
Cost
- Training bus: $4 per Wednesday, charged automatically to your fee account each month via the Parent Portal (approximately $36 per term). Students collected from the Hockey Centre still pay the outbound trip ($4).
- Match-day buses are included in fees.
- Own stick ($60–$150 from sports stores), shin pads and mouthguard.
Contact
Mr Luke Ferraro, Director of Sport — sport@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au — (03) 9555 0100. Hockey coordinator: Mr Hamish Reid via the Sports Centre office.