THE fate of the mens and womens Western Premier League competition remains undecided, as Dubbo Crows goalkeeper Gavin Weekes believed it to be dying out in the city.
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The women’s side have not played for four years, and the men’s team are dropping out this year due to a lack of interest and commitment.
The goalkeeper was disappointed and saddened to know the game, once led by coach Andrew Johnston, may have died in his absence.
"A lot of time and money has gone to waste in Premier League hockey, as not many people seem to be interested anymore," Weekes said.
Weekes said Johnston stepped down in 2011, after money was spent building a new clubhouse to help accommodate hockey teams in Dubbo.
"Andrew really helped open my eyes to the game, and it’s sad to know he helped organise a lot for the team, much of it for nothing," he said.
He said although hockey was a great sport, it was very costly due to association fees and team travel expenses during away games.
Weekes said the Dubbo Hockey Association (DHA) were still paying off the turf, which was named one of the best outside of Sydney.
During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, a Korean team liked the turf so much, they came all the way to Dubbo to train.
"We had teams competing in the Australian championships coming to Dubbo to train, but that is unlikely to happen now."
A few younger players, he said, departed Dubbo for Newcastle to play Premier League hockey, as they felt they couldn’t play to their full potential on the Crows team.
"In places like Bathurst and Lithgow the game is still very much alive, but I don’t think it’s going to work out in Dubbo.
"Maybe in three to four years the Crows can make a comeback, but a lot of that is to do with the younger players, with a number of them leaving for university in 2013."
He said there were other not as talented but important players and who were good enough to play in the league.
"If you can’t replace them then you will eventually run out of numbers."
