COURTESY MAITLAND MERCURY

With ex-Maitland Rams player Simon Orchard representing the Kookaburras at the World Cup in India this week, hockey has reached new heights in his former home town.

The Maitland District Hockey Club has more than 80 children participating in its Hook in2 Hockey program – a record high for NSW.

“It would be pretty close to an Australian record, but it is easily the largest Hook in2 Hockey centre in NSW,” club

development officer Steve Orchard said.

“In Sydney, Glebe ran one with 20 and Ryde had 25.

“We have just had an

excellent response.”

It is the third year Maitland has run the program, designed as the national entry point for players aged 6-12 years, and Steve said numbers at Maitland Hockey Complex had doubled from 2009.

He put the increase down to a couple of factors.

“We have done the hard yards and the association has put a lot of effort into the program,” he said.

“We have promoted it well, I have toured around the schools and we now have a wonderful facility at Maitland Park...maybe the persistence has paid off or we just hit the right note at the right time.”

He also said the coverage that Simon, his eldest son, has received in the press with his Australian selection had helped lift the profile of the sport in the area.

The kids have one week left of the three-week Hook in2 Hockey program before the Kookaburra competition for under-7 and under-10 players begins at Maitland.

“The important thing for us is to keep it fun for the kids,” he said.

“Staying healthy is important as well, but playing sport is about having fun with your mates.

“After they have a taste of hockey, hopefully a few of them sign up next week.”