The second annual Crookwell Hockey fundraiser has been hailed by the association as a huge success, having raised over $1,500 in support of the Crookwell Hospital.
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Held on Saturday, August 3, six teams turned out for what association president Kathy Robertson described as a "great day."
"It was really good, we got five of our local teams," Robertson said.
"And then we made up an extra team to fill in our bye on the day, so some players came out from Goulburn to make up that team.
"Terrific weather, we nearly had it on the tenth so we were lucky we didn't leave it until this weekend (laughs)."
After rain impacted the fundraiser in 2018, clear skies and warm temperatures were a blessing for the 2019 edition.
Exactly $1,506.15 was raised on the day, through a combination of donations, raffles, and fines which were light-heartedly handed out to players for gaffes such as a bad tackle or a shanked shot.
"There was somebody on the sideline taking fines, and then the fines were given out at the end of the match and they had to pay up," Robertson said.
"Just to raise a little bit extra so everybody was involved. They made sure everybody had a fine."
Last year, the fundraiser raised money for the McGrath Foundation. The association decided to pick a local beneficiary in 2019, and Robertson said that they will likely choose a different local charity every year.
"We hope to run it every year now and pick another local charity at the end of the season," she said.
"I think that's the way to go, because it all helps everybody."
The money raised on the day will go towards helping the Crookwell Hospital purchase much-needed equipment for patient care.
Players who took part in the day donned rainbow socks to show their support, and a number went a step further and took to the field wearing rainbow wigs.
"They had a ball, I think," Robertson surmised.
In the two years that the fundraiser has been held, Crookwell Hockey has raised nearly $3,500.
The 2019 total was a few hundred dollars shy of the amount brought in last year, but Robertson said that it was still a wonderful effort considering the smaller turnout.
The committee was also praised by Robertson, who said that everyone had pitched in to produce a wonderful day of hockey.
Crookwell Hockey also thanked its local sponsors for their assistance in ensuring the day went ahead without a hitch and providing great prizes which helped to draw interest and support for the raffles.
