A CLUBHOUSE that allows the association to hold masters tournaments as well as potentially under-15 and under-18 NSW state titles have been on the radar for a decade.
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And now Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association will be able to continue to raise the profile of the sport following the announcement a clubhouse will become a reality.
Association president Simon Thresher said the region would now be able to bid for more high-level hockey events in coming years.
"We have been in talks with masters hockey and they're keen to come up here," he said.
"The biggest thing for us is it now gives us a sense of community and ownership and provides us with a central place to congregate."
For the last decade, the fields located off Ocean Drive, have had toilets situated halfway up the hill while the canteen has been run from a shipping container which leaks following rain and has minimal airflow in summer.
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"We've had funding for quite some time, but it's been about ticking boxes and employing consultants so having this now means we're food compliant," Mr Thresher said.
"It raises the profile of sport across the region and gives us the opportunity to knock on council's door and ask them if they can help us bid for things."
"It raises the profile of sport across the region and gives us the opportunity to knock on council's door and ask them if they can help us bid for things."
- Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association president Simon Thresher
The association's "first foray" into the representative market will be a bid to host a master's tournament in 2023.
2022 is still a possibility, but it appears unlikely with construction of the clubhouse not expected to be completed until August at the earliest.
"It means we're now competitive and can potentially get events like nationals and state level once construction is completed," Mr Thresher said.
"We have had a good relationship with council and local government and it's finally paid off."
Meanwhile, Port Macquarie and Manning hockey association's are in advanced discussions regarding a Premier League competition in 2021 which will be a full home and away season.
"It will sit outside local hockey so both the association's agreed something like that needed to happen which will remove some barriers on participation locally," Mr Thresher said.
"Those who want to play at the high level will be able to do so, but it won't take them away from the local competitions which we hope will be strengthened as a result."
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