By Mac Reith-Snare
The outbreak of COVID-19 has meant the unprecedented collapse of various regional sporting fixtures that have run successfully for decades.
It has forced many sporting competitions into involuntary hiatus, while some are thriving due to the lack of conflict with other codes.
One of the victims of the pandemic has been the Central West Premier League’s men’s hockey competition.
Due to the season being postponed and then shortened and playing fees sky high, the region’s elite male hockey players couldn’t justify participating in this year’s premiership race.
The Premier League’s Vice-President Fiona Reith says although it’s disappointing that they don’t have a mens competition this year, they’re hopeful to resurrect the league in 2021.
Photo: Fiona Reith
“We were gutted when we worked out the men wouldn’t be playing this year,” said Reith.
“But we’re confident that with 2021 being a full season the men will be keen to re-enter the competition.”
With the 2019 men’s Premier League season only featuring four teams, the competition was already on its knees.
Meanwhile, 2020 was looking positive for the Central West Premier League.
With the planned re-introduction of a second Lithgow team and a new-look committee aiming to tackle the season head on, Vice-President Fiona Reith is still disappointed with what could have been.
“We were a fresh new committee this year and we were really keen on strengthening the entire league, particularly the men’s comp,” she said.
“We had big plans for the season and it’s a real shame we won’t get to see all of them come to fruition. But fingers crossed next year we’ll get a chance do that.”
Despite there being no men’s competition, the women’s season has been a huge success with eight teams participating in this year’s fixture.
They will play their final round game this weekend before moving into finals.
