The North Albury Sport Club Wombats Hockey Club has its roots in the very beginnings of the Hockey Albury Wodonga Association. It is an amalgamation of the clubs were that were YA’s hockey club, founded in 1953, Wombats Hockey Club, founded in 1979, and Royals Hockey club (Bushrats), founded in 1990.One of the inaugural clubs was YA’s. The Young Anglicans Hockey Club was founded when the Rev. Frank Woodall through the Anglican Youth group decided to start a hockey team in the new men’s competition. Noel Waite and Jim Williams were playing football at Billson Park when they heard about it and decided to have a look. They enjoyed it so much that Jim played in excess of 500 games for YA’s and Noel to this day is still involved with the NASC Wombats. YA’s enjoyed instant success winning the first 3 premierships, the first of which was played at the Albury Sports Ground, where they defeated 1/COD (Bandiana) 1-0. Interestingly Altona H.C. travelled from Melbourne to play a curtain raiser match against RAEME, a huge commitment in 1953.
The first competition in Albury saw 4 teams compete-
- RAEME
- 1/COD (Bandiana)
- YA’s
- City
YA’s were successful in winning some 17 Division 1 premierships before merging and continue to enjoy this success with NASC Wombats winning a hat trick of Division 1 premierships during 2000’s.The original Wombats hockey club was formed in 1979 with one B Grade men’s team. This team was successful and took out a premiership in its first couple of years but it must be said that the focus was the social side of the club. On the serious side the club also gave team blood donations twice a season. In 1984 another team was added to the club in C Grade men’s. The home ground for the club was Bilson Park for one year, then Alexandra Park ground 7 (one of the current soccer grounds). Royals Hockey Club was established in 1990, by Andrea Spittal and her family. At this time the association would only allow a club to form if it has two teams, so they went ahead with a Division 4 Women and an U11 boys team. This club was based around Table Top and Gerogery but had a few Albury players as well (one of whom is still currently playing in Div 3 Women). Training was held at the back of the Gerogery Pub, or on the Table Top Tennis Courts under lights. The Club was successful from the start. The women’s team took out the Div 4 final. In 1991 Royals went on to be incorporated, but could not use the name Royals (monarch issues), so the club changed its name to Bushrats. In 1992 they joined with Wombats Hockey Club. This meant that the club had both men’s and women’s sides to go forward with.Today, the Wombats Hockey Club currently has 13 teams in the competition. We are well represented in all facets of Hockey Albury Wodonga – players, coaches, mangers and umpires at club, board and representative levels. We pride ourselves on being a family club, providing a friendly environment for letting our players enjoy themselves, develop their hockey skills, refine their fitness and foster great friendships. |
