Recently Redlands Hockey Association, located in south east Queensland, hosted the Hockey Queensland U/13 Championships. It was their first time in staging an event of this significance. Despite the torrent weather that caused the championships to shift venue to the State Hockey Centre this association received accolades from all participants and Hockey Queensland for the high level of event organisation that was evident. What stood out the most was the professional manner in which their large but educated volunteer base collectively functioned as one unit.
Hockey owes its development to the tireless work of thousands of hockey volunteers worldwide. Every hockey association and club can boost of a minority of people who contribute hundreds of hours to ensure players of all ages are able to play each week. The difficulty is that it tends to be a minority and unless the minority are fully supported with other human and material resources they like ‘taxed’ hockey players suffer ‘burn out’. In this hockey writer’s life I have witnessed many devoted volunteers who when they have suffered ‘burn out’ have walked form the game of hockey forever.
Redlands Hockey Association have the X Factor. Certainly one factor that explains this generalisation is the size of their volunteer database and the emphasis given to building this in a planned and structured manner. In their 2008-2014 Strategic Development Plan they have grown their database since their inception in 2008 from 35 – an expected 75 plus. The notion ‘many hands makes light work’ stands true. The second X Factor is the clear dissemination of role and responsibility that each volunteer is given. The Hockey Queensland article reinforces this fact.
Melanie Woosnam
However what makes this all come together is leadership and this is third X Factor that gives Redlands Hockey Association its strength as one Australia’s most progressive hockey associations. Redlands Hockey Association has such a leader at the helm and supported by an equally competent leadership team. The leader is Melanie Woosnam. Melanie who has her own sports management business is a former Australian Hockey player who was appointed in 2014 as a Director of Hockey Australia. Her wealth of sports business knowledge and experience with other organisations within the sport and recreation industry has guided the steady increase of both the hockey participation and volunteer bases at Redlands Hockey Association. Redlands Hockey Association is one of the strongest growing sports in their community with local hockey sponsorship flowing into them as a result.
The secret ingredient. This writer has for a long time advocated the need for hockey to fully embrace the family aspect of hockey that differentiates it from other sports. Redlands Hockey Association is the ideal model that shows if you embrace this vision and implement strategies to develop this you will reap success. Redlands Hockey since its exception have like all associations worked conscientiously at developing its junior participation numbers. But there is a difference in parallel with junior development Redlands Hockey developed parent development. Non hockey player parents were encouraged to learn to play and / or be a volunteer rather than take the passive support of their children on the sideline. Amongst the current stable of their senior players who have come from this parent involvement program. Hockey is a family sport and can be played into old age and beyond.
I am convinced that from FIH filtering to all hockey nations downward we need to adopt a model like what Redlands Hockey have implemented. I am hoping Melanie and her team are used to enlighten all hockey associations and clubs who are interested in growing their association and club through proactive strategic planning.
ABOUT REDLANDS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Redlands Hockey Association Incorporated (RHA) is the newest hockey association in Queensland and the first in Redland City. RHA commenced operations in 2008 and in 2015 will be in its eighth year. RHA is affiliated with Hockey Queensland and Hockey Australia and since 2012 can officially call Henry Ziegenfusz Park in Fitzroy St, Cleveland its home venue. RHA has experienced continued growth since its inception (11 teams – 98 players) and currently boasts almost 350 players in 29 teams and across 7 age divisions including U7s, U9s, U11s, U13s, U15s and Juniors/U18s (all mixed teams) as well as Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s. Participant numbers have reached record levels over the past 2 years and the RHA prides itself on its ability to recruit, train and manage a strong volunteer base which is vital in running any non-profit organisation.
The RHA is governed by a dynamic, passionate and progressive Board of 7 Directors. The main focus of the Board is to govern and manage the association and oversee the implementation of the strategic plan. The Board is responsible for establishing clear policies and procedures for effective and efficient decision making, resource management, personnel development and the delivery of quality services. The composition of the Board encompasses a good mix of experience, skills, professional qualifications and business acumen. The Board is also well supported by a strong sub-committee, co-ordinator and volunteer structure which assist the Board in the delivery of day to day operational activities.
