Season to start with 15 senior matches in three divisions

The second South West sport to shake off the shackles of the coronavirus is hockey, which gets under way this weekend under the guidance of Brad Scott, the latest in his family’s long line of association presidents. Bunbury and Districts Hockey Association hall of famer and life member Walter Scott left the president’s post some 40 years ago followed by eldest son Barry, who held the reins for more than a decade followed by Barry’s brother Chris and now grandson Brad. At the turn of the century, the BDHA changed format and name to the South West Hockey League and included two of Busselton’s top clubs; Wests in the men’s competition, and Robins in the women’s, with the Scotts still at the helm. Chris and Barry are now sharing stints on the South West Strikers panel and Chris has handed his presidency to Brad, a stand-out umpire and player. Former national star Corrine Naylor will take on a role as the SWHL vice-president. This season will see an injection of talent back into the SWHL after the South West Strikers, who represented the region for 20 years in the cauldron of the Perth Classic League, have folded. Fifteen senior matches are set to take place on the opening weekend, with three divisions for both men and women. Senior league club Exies will have seven teams in action this season, with Associates, the perennially successful Boyanup, Towns Souths and Marist all entering six sides. Smaller clubs Harvey, Eaton and Boyup Brook will enter one team each and Donnybrook will have two women’s sides competing. Associates and Marist will open the men’s season in Bunbury before Exies face a tough start to the season when they play competition favourites Boyanup, while Wests host Towns Souths in Busselton. On the women’s side of the draw, Robins host Towns Souths to begin Saturday’s double header in Busselton and the Bunbury fixtures mach the men’s, with Associates facing Marist and Boyanup playing Exies.