Wilderness Times | Spring 2020
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Images: Bill Purvis and Raphaela Oest)
OUR SPORTING COMMUNITY
Sporting opportunities continue to grow for our old scholar community. Wilderness girls have always been known for their outstanding abilities across both the academic and sporting arena. For years, many old scholars have continued their love for sport outside of school. The St Peter’s Old Collegian (SPOC) Women’s Hockey Club was born in recent years providing a fabulous platform for Wilderness old scholars and women from the wider community to remain engaged in a great sport and stay connected. Despite an interrupted start to the season on account of the COVID-19 restrictions, SPOC Hockey Club has had a successful season. Four senior Women’s teams, a senior Men’s team, and the inaugural ‘Blueys’ Under 9
Mixed team have all enjoyed playing winter sport and spending time with friends and family. Wilderness old scholars feature strongly at the club with four members of the committee being past students and over a dozen players sharing direct contacts with Wilderness School. Some of the parents of our new junior team are also old scholars. Founding member, Lydia Rudkin (Paton) (2001) was integral in the formation of the junior side of the club, and Raphaela Oest (2003), Claire Curry (Scott) (1999) and Annabel Denton (Sawers) (1999) are all members of the committee. While none of the women’s teams made the finals this year, all were competitive and look forward to a smoother run into the season next year.
If you are interested in playing hockey again, please email SPOCHockeyClub@gmail.com or follow our active Facebook page. We will enter teams in the Summer Mixed Hockey Competition and also the one-day Master’s competition in November for anyone over 35 this year. We are also keen to start an U18’s women’s side next year, so any current students can also contact the club. Given the high numbers of Wilderness women amongst all grades, you are sure to find a familiar face to welcome you to the club. Players of all levels and availability are welcome. Claire Curry (Scott) Class of 1999