Article by Sean Cunningham - 4/2/14 - Wollondilly Advertiser
HOCKEY is set to play a key role in the success of local Australian football this season, but not the sport of hockey — Wollondilly Australian Football Club's coach Daniel Hockey.
With Hockey at the helm, it will be a big year for the Knights with their decision to leave the South Coast AFL competition to return to the AFL Sydney competition's Division Four.
It's a bold move to return to the Sydney competition after an absence of almost 20 years, but it's a decision which Hockey and club president and player Chris Underwood, deem to be beneficial.
"We believe that the tiered competition will benefit our club by playing teams of similar ability," Hockey said.
"We welcome new players and supporters.
"It's an opportunity to be involved with a great club and great game."
Underwood believes that playing in the AFL Sydney competition will provide the club's junior players with a better pathway to the seniors.
"Getting into the Sydney comp was a part of the club's growth plan and we're training for a successful year," Underwood said.
"The boys are really excited to be playing against teams that they have never played against before and to experience the bigger atmosphere at the Sydney grounds.
"We don't know that much about the other teams, but we know that with the structure of the comp, they will all be very competitive and we will need to give it our all each game.
"I know a lot of the boys are really motivated for the new challenges ahead."
The Knights have retained most of their players from last season, who are excited for the challenge.
"We have scored a new player to the game — Zac Madden, who came and tried AFL nines in the off-season and now is keen to have a crack at the full game," Underwood said.
The Knights are looking for club umpires this season and plan to conduct their first game under floodlights when they host Campbelltown.
The Knights train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bargo Sportsground from 6pm.
Wollondilly will host Manly Warringah at Bargo Sportsground in the opening round, on March 29 at 2pm.
Last Modified on 17/02/2014 10:10
