Monday, September 18, 2006

Hockey.

A few shots taken at hockey on Saturday. For our North American friends, hockey in Australia usually means grass or synthetic grass fields, without a skerrick of ice in sight.







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5 comments:

Carole Burant said...

I'm never too old to learn something!! I had no idea that "hockey" meant something else in Australia than what we're used to, with the ice, etc. How fascinating!!

LindaD said...

I remember "field hockey" same rules, a substitute for ice hockey when we lived up north. -just no ice and a ball instead of the puck. We played in the gymnasium in the schools when weather was too rainy, otherwise outside in any weather as long as there was no snow. I was never good at it and always nervous about those flying hockey sticks and ball . lol.. I'm surprised its not a bigger sport down in Florida. These are great pictures..are they courts just for hockey?

Alice said...

Linda - these 3 fields all have synthetic 'grass' and are used specifically for hockey, in all weather. We actually play outdoor hockey in the winter and indoor hockey in the summer, although there's usually an outdoor competition running through the summer, too. It's more of a social competition, whereas the serious games are held during winter countrywide. There are very few injuries from 'flying sticks and balls' as the ball usually travels along the ground - a penalty is paid if the ball is lifted - consequently the sticks are held close to the ground too. There are 11 players in each team.

Val said...

Hockey in UK is played on muddy pitches in the cold of winter. At school I remember making footprints in the frost as we trudged out to play each week. Years later,my daughters' (girls) school combined with the local boys school to make one big school. And they decided to play girls v boys team hockey. For one term only. Then it was back to single sex, as the girls thrashed the boys every time!

Kerri said...

I never liked playing hockey as a school girl. I was always getting bashed in the shins with hockey sticks!
Nice pics Alice. I can see how synthetic grass would be much cheaper and easier to maintain there.