Lower Burdekin Hockey’s Night Of Nights

In 1929, the Lower Burdekin Hockey Association, originally known as the Delta Hockey Club, had its modest beginnings. Thanks to the generosity of local businessman Stan Hall, the club was equipped with the necessary gear to kickstart its journey.

Initially, the club exclusively catered to male players, but as time went on, it expanded its horizons. Today, it boasts a diverse membership that includes not only men but also ladies and junior players.

In 2023, the club's primary focus centres on an indoor hockey competition running from April to September. This successful endeavour is made possible through the valued support of Ayr State High School.

The Lower Burdekin Hockey Association recently held its annual Presentation Night to celebrate this year’s outstanding performers.  A big congratulations to Quicksticks, who have improved their Wooden Spoon performance of 2022 to take out the Indoor Hockey Championship this year.

Each year the club awards both a Senior and Junior clubperson of the year.  This year’s Senior Club Person is Dirk Dabelstein.   Dirk started playing hockey as a junior, but at that time no high school competition existed so he had many years away from the sport.  Dirk became actively involved again in the early 2000s, playing himself but also introducing both his children to the sport.  He is critical to the ongoing success of our junior fixtures, running weekly coaching and game sessions with our junior players, having undertaken community coaching courses to support his role.  He has this year again proven to be a dedicated, passionate and involved member of the organisation.

Emily Johnston has been awarded the Junior Club Person for 2023.  Emily has only recently started her hockey journey, being selected in last year’s NQ Primary Schoolgirls team as the goalkeeper.  Emily is the first to offer assistance, with no job too difficult.  She is also developing her umpiring skills, having umpired both junior and senior games on occasion this year. She is enthusiastic, dependable and has a hunger to improve her skills in all facets of the game.

Other recipients were as follows:

Indoor Hockey Minor Premiers and Champions – Quicksticks

Indoor Hockey B Division Winners – Stick Handlers

Indoor Hockey Wooden Spoon – White Knights

Best and Fairest – Kasey Parison and Karl Dabelstein

Best Juniors – Ella Dabelstein and Cruz Torkington

Best Rookies – Jorja Grabs and Jarren Wood

Best Attacker – Kasey Parison

Best Defender – Bradley Sibson

Goal Shark – Lynette Gardner

The junior presentations were held last month to acknowledge the following players:

Most Improved U10 – Mack Grabs

Most Consistent U10 – Jacques Gardner

Most Improved U13 – Henry Smith

Most Consistent U13 – Charlie McCarthy

Junior Player’s Player – Ben Smail

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Contributed by the Lower Burdekin Hockey Association

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Indoor Hockey champions Quicksticks

Best juniors Ella Dabelstein and Cruz Torkington

Best and Fairest – Kasey Parison and Karl Dabelstein

Junior Club Person Emily Johnston

Best Rookie Jorja Grabs

Senior Club Person Dirk Dabelstein

Indoor Hockey Wooden Spoon – White Knights