It has been made possible by the completion of the Veolia Arena where the two court areas will be turned into two indoor hockey rinks, fields, or courts.

Goulburn’s own local indoor hockey competition has been very successfully conducted over the summer period and provided a platform for testing the arrangements at the Veolia Arena.

This weekend, there will also be a court, number three, in the Goulburn Basketball/ Show pavilion.

It is the women’s teams turn to shine with teams of over 35-year-old players, in four divisions in a series of fast paced indoor hockey games.

Goulburn Hockey is fielding three teams, one in division two another in division three and the final team in division four.

The competition starts on Friday morning with teams and managers arriving at the Recreation Area from before 7am.

Team managers and umpires will attend a compulsory meeting at 7am before the first games commence at 8am. Goulburn’s first games will be at 10.30am, with Goulburn One division two playing Coffs Coast One on Court Two in the Veolia Arena and Goulburn Three playing Southern Highlands Two in the division four competition on court three in the basketball /show pavilion.

It is worth coming out to the Goulburn Recreation Area to watch some of these contests and marvel at the action and competitiveness. You don’t even need to know the rules or the contestants to enjoy action.

Hockey Association representative Darrell Chambers said that there has been a tremendous amount of coordinated work from council, the Hockey Association, Hockey NSW Veolia Trust, the stadium management, Greyhound and Harness Racing Clubs, other sporting associations, Lions Club and other individuals.

“They have all played a part in bringing this sporting event, and the men’s one the following week, together, Mr Chambers said. “It will provide enormous economic benefit to our community and beyond that we have given our community the opportunity to experience this state level competition.

“of our young umpires too have put their hand up to umpire and be assessed for gradings over the two weekends so it is not just an opportunity for the masters players to get together and compete. “It is a competition where young members of our community can show their skills, and compete through the assessment process to win the right to officiate in the finals and grand finals.”

Mr Chambers said that the players will have time off between their games and will more than likely take the opportunity to look around and see Goulburn looking nice and green, to visit some of the sights and most probably check out the shopping centre.

He suggested that all Goulburnites should offer a friendly smile and perhaps greeting to the visitors and if someone asks for directions do your best to help them or suggest someone who might be able to provide assistance.

The program for the Hockey NSW Masters Women Indoor State Championships can be downloaded or viewed on the Hockey NSW website. So can the men’s program for the following weekend.