For Bellingen Magpies, this year saw a return of much-loved faces and also some new recruits, including Wendy Waters (goalie) who was instrumental in ensuring the minor premiership. She was unfortunately unavailable for the grand final but the mother-daughter combo of Meg-Em repelled attacks on multiple fronts.
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Like many well contested games throughout the year, the grand final kept the spectators in suspense with quality skills that led to back to back goals from both sides. Not even the threatening storm could stop Bello from claiming their victory 3-2 over the younger Beaches side. Congratulations ladies for taking out the top women’s division for the second consecutive year.
It’s been a few years since Bellingen has fielded a Division 1 men’s team, and to win the big dance is even better! A great bunch of blokes ranging across all levels of skills coming together for the first time to produce some top-quality hockey. Like all teams, getting a full contingent on the pitch was the hardest issue we faced all year.
Bringing back ex-players like Dean Herbert and Tim Anderson and bringing up B players from other teams (Budgie, Lachie, Keith, Pete) enhanced the strength of our core.
We learnt to play as a team early on in the season and showed all the way to the grand final with victory over last year premiers, Urunga, 5-1.
A massive thank you to all the Bellingen B grade players who played up each week, as we wouldn’t have been minor premiers without you.
Division 2 Women were lucky to have a few extra young legs this year, which added speed and tenacity to the team that mainly consists of experienced ladies at veteran’s level. This balance helped Bellingen maintain second place all season. Or perhaps it was the infamous and exclusive carpark drinks after each game? Unfortunately, they lost the grand final to Orara, however they should all be proud of their efforts throughout the year.
2018 was a solid year for the Bellingen Division 2 Men's Hockey team. It was a year where we got new uniforms and a year where we displayed a never-say-die attitude. Yet again, the lads punched above their weight. This team has a growing reputation for the team that will never stop coming. Due to injury and circumstance, we often played undermanned yet managed to either draw or win on many of these occasions.
It was a year where we brought up a few promising juniors and will be looking to take advantage of this injection in 2019. Unfortunately, we missed out on a finals berth by one point; however, we are definitely a team on the move. Bring on the new season!
Bellingen would like to thank their major sponsors this year who helped with the success of the club – Toormina Hotel, AJ Civil Projects, Coastal Aluminium, Bellingen Riverside Cottages, North Coast Cranes and Cutlers Tyrepower.
