Just two years after the Dubbo Lions club was formed it has folded, meaning no Premier League Hockey for local men in 2017.
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A lack of numbers has forced the Lions to withdraw from the competition but the club is hopeful it will just be a one year hiatus.
Plans are already in place for a possible return in 2018 but Matt Waters, a key figure is forming the Lions club and often the captain on the field, admitted it was dispiriting players from Dubbo wouldn’t be able to compete in the region’s premier competition this year.
“We had to fold this year. There’s just not enough players,” he said.
“Hopefully it’s just a year off to rebuild and then we can come back.
“It’s very disappointing. A lot of guys put in a fair bit of effort and we made some great progress so it is pretty disappointing.
“There’s just not enough numbers to support some of the older guys.”
The Dubbo Crows had been the premier local men’s hockey side for a number of years before it folded in 2012.
A lot of guys put in a fair bit of effort and we made some great progress so it is pretty disappointing.
- Matt Waters
In January of 2015 the newly formed Dubbo Lions signalled its intention to compete in the upcoming PLH season and the side went on to finish a commendable fifth, with the likes of Waters and Samuel Mould establishing themselves as some of the competition’s standouts.
Last season was more difficult, with player numbers becoming an issue at times.
Just nine players turned out for the final round as the Lions finished the season with the wooden spoon after recording just one win.
Despite that, Waters is hopeful the two seasons back at the top proved to locals Dubbo has the ability to compete against the best of the central west.
“Hopefully it gave something for people to aspire to,” he said.
“It’s that next level to get into and it also brought guys together who haven’t payed together before so there really were some good things.”
Waters confessed some of the Lions’ better players may look elsewhere to play PLH in 2017 but added he was hopeful the bulk of the keen players would play in the local competition and help develop the strong crop of juniors coming through.
Waters, who was named the PLH best and fairest winner in 2015, felt there is a slight gap between the established, older players and the juniors who are not quite ready for the next level yet.
“It would be good to see people stay local and and boost the competition so we can help bring players through,” he said.
“A strong competition here will make stronger individuals for a team that could compete in the Premier League.”
While disappointed, Waters was adamant the focus on improving the standard and development of local players and competitions would see the Lions back sooner rather than later.
“We’re not finished as a club,” he said.
“We’ve still got some things on the horizon and only time well tell what will happen.”
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
