Cannons load up for shootout

Casey Cannon Tegan Brown sizes up her options during last year’s Shootout Cup at Casey Hockey Club. 16115 Picture: Meagan Rogers

By Marc McGowan
CASEY Cannons officials hope Saturday’s fourth annual Shootout Cup is the start of a successful year for the hockey club.
Twenty teams will compete in the seven-a-side round-robin tournament that caters for men’s, women’s and mixed sides.
There are competitive and social sections in both the men’s and women’s events.
The tournament starts at 11am and will finish under lights around 8.30pm.
New president Garry Sonnberger, who replaced Kevin Moore last October, is a big fan of the half-pitch format.
“It’s all part of the lead-up to the season (in April),” Sonnberger said.
“The pace is a lot faster and it’s fairly intense.”
The Cannons will field eight senior squads, including men’s and women’s State League Three sides, two veterans’ sides and 10 junior teams.
Casey’s men’s State League Four side won the premiership last season – the club’s first senior flag in 15 years – to gain promotion into State League Three.
Laurie Edwards and Russell Carvell will coach the men’s and women’s State League Three squads respectively.
Sonnberger’s children, Ben, 17, and Caitlin, 13, and wife, Sara, play at the club, but he is unsure whether he will suit up himself due to his club presidential commitments.
“We’re looking to get back to the basics of hockey and trying to grow the junior section,” he said.
“We should also have an extra men’s and women’s senior team this year.”
Casey Hockey Club is located behind Berwick Secondary College, off Manuka Road, in Berwick.