The Birth of Southern River Hockey Club
Why it Happened
In 2005, members of a hockey club in Armadale began exploring a move from Bob Blackburn Reserve in Armadale to the Gosnells Cricket Grounds in Southern River. The motivation was clear:
- A larger recruitment base for players
- Improved facilities — playing surfaces, change rooms, social areas, and a bar
- Stronger community connections through Gosnells Cricket Club and the Shire of Gosnells
The Turning Point
In January 2006 a decisive moment came resulting some members to pursue the Southern River opportunity.
The Founding Group
On Wednesday, February 1st, 2006, the first meeting of what would become Southern River Hockey Club Inc. was held. Present were:
- L Jones
- B Vanderputt
- J Heath
- B & J Coppendale
- F, N & D Keane
- K Pethick
- C Heath
- J Hoskins
This group committed themselves to the hard work of building a new club from scratch.
The First Season
The glamour of starting a new club quickly gave way to the reality of urgent tasks: governance, recruitment, uniforms, fixtures, and administration. Volunteers divided responsibilities, working against the clock to be ready for the season.
The initial aim was modest — two senior men’s teams. But by Round 1, Southern River Hockey Club proudly fielded:
- Juniors: U11 and U13 (later upgraded to U15) boys
- Seniors: State 3C, Metro 3C, and Veterans Over 40 Div 4 men
Taking the First Steps
The 2006 season was full of challenges, but it marked the beginning of Southern River Hockey Club’s journey. From those first matches, the club began to grow, laying the foundation for the thriving community it is today.
