Hello Saints Hockey Family,

It is an honour to step into the role of President of the Geelong Saints Hockey Club, and I am incredibly grateful for the trust and confidence our members have placed in me. To most of you I am a familiar face from many years past, but to some of you I am a new face, so I would like to take a moment to introduce myself.
I was lucky enough to be born into the world of field hockey with my family being associated with Geelong Hockey and specifically Saints Hockey for many years. I have been playing field hockey at Saints Hockey since I was 5 years old at Minkey hockey at Lloyd’s Reserve in Newtown all the way to my current last game in 2019. Throughout those years I have been in various positions such as junior and senior coach, umpire, player, and committee member. I have luckily been a part of some great teams and enjoyed my fair share of success on the field and watched a lot of club success off the field also. I am easy to pick out on the hockey field; I am the only one out there with my hands back to front. Field hockey has always been a passion for me and Stead Park is and has been my second home for majority of my life.

As much as I am eager and excited to get into season 2026, I cannot continue without recognising the dedication and commitment of our 2025 committee, led by our amazing outgoing president, Nicole Alonso. Nic has dedicated the last 3 years to strengthening and elevating our club, promoting a safe, inclusive culture and her impact has been second to none. A highlight of the work and impact Nic has made is being the lead in the re-introduction of juniors back to Saints Hockey, as job that I have a strong focus on sustaining moving forward. In Nic’s 3 years as president we were awarded the Presidents Award twice, showcasing the results of the hard work of Nic and the committee. I just want to say personally and on behalf of the club we thank you for your passion, commitment, and tireless work. The club is in a strong position because of it.

Moving into the future, and a focus on 2026 and onwards. My goals are very simple: Growth, Accessibility, and Connection.

Growth: We want to continue the amazing work of Nicole and the previous committee in expanding and developing our junior pathways, ensuring young player feel supported, encouraged, and excited to be part of our club. At the same time, we’ll keep a strong focus on expanding and building our senior program, bringing new faces and hopefully see some returning faces to the men’s and women’s sides, helping to build depth, competitiveness, and a welcoming environment for players of all levels.

Accessibility: Whether someone is picking up a stick for the first time or like me, are returning after years away, we want Saints to be a welcoming, fun place for everyone- regardless of age, ability, or background.

Connection: At it’s core, sport should bring joy. We are committed to maintaining a culture where playing hockey is not just competitive, but enjoyable, inclusive, and social for all. At Saints we have always prided ourselves being a family-oriented, tight-knit club. This remains central to who we are. I would love nothing more than to see Stead Park and Torquay filled out in a sea of Black, Red, and White shirts and jumpers, to the drowning sounds of our cheers for our players. Supporting not just our own team but all the teams in our club. I have great confidence in saying we have the most supportive members, and I want that on full show in 2026.

I am excited for what lies ahead and with all the developments and changes ahead of us in 2026 I know that we as a club can achieve great things. Thank you to the volunteers, players, and families- your contributions are the heartbeat of our club. Let’s make 2026 a year to grow, to connect, and to remember.

Sam Climpson   

President, Geelong Saints Hockey Club.