Molong became the centre of the regional hockey universe on Saturday when former Australian and current NSW stars took to the town’s new multi-purpose synthetic surface for a game and helped coach local juniors.
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The stars included 1996 Olympian Brendan Gerard, former Kookaburra Matthew Naylor, former hockeyroo Megan Oman and current NSW under 21s and Australian Development Squad member Hayden Dillon.
They joined a World All Stars team to tackle the Molong Legends.
However former NSW player Scott Olsson said they ended up stopping counting the score as the World team laid on a blitz.
“The All Stars won fairly comfortably,” he said.
Olsson said he was impressed that the stars also assisted with coaching clinics and at the presentation night that followed the game for about 80 junior players.
“Having some people that have played for NSW and Australia to coach the kids was really big.”
“There was a big crowd.
“It was great to see so many people come and enjoy the day.”
He said the top-class players were full of praise for the new grounds which are to be used by several sports including hockey.
“It’s a fantastic facility.
“The feedback from the All Stars was that they were just absolutely amazed at the facility that is going to be there.”
He said some described as one of the best sand-based playing surfaces in the country.
Olsson said it was a great reward for a lot of local effort.
“It was a hard-slog to get the multi-purpose facility.
“It was a community effort.
“It’s just unbelievable for the town.
“They have been working for numerous years to get the facility together.”
While hockey was the sport in the spotlight on the day Olsson said other sports were also looking to use it.
That included junior cricket while hockey was looking at having a mixed-team competition in summer.
He said a committee had been formed to look after the running and maintenance of the new facility.
Olsson said the day was not an official opening of the complex.
“It was a way of thanking all involved in the application, funding and work needed to get a multi purpose synthetic surface for a great small town such as Molong.”
He said hockey had become an important sport in Molong.
“We had three under 9s teams, two open primary teams, under 14s, under 16s and three women’s teams.”
First grade won the Orange grand final.