HOCKEY is in the blood of the Wellman family.
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In its recent round 13 clash against Loddon Murray, Strathdale’s men’s B-grade team included three generations of the hockey-loving family.
In the Tigers’ line-up were John Wellman, son Chris Wellman and grandsons Nicholas and Matthew.
While Chris is a regular in the B-grade team and Matthew is a regular in the A-grade team, the opportunity for John and Nicholas to take to the pitch together was one that was too good to pass up.
John first played in 1962 in Perth as a 14 year old and played almost continuously in Western Australia until moving to Shepparton in 1978, where he became a foundation member of the Strikers club.
Aside from playing and coaching, he was also involved in the club’s committees and junior development until 2007.
John and Chris played many matches as a father-son combination for Strikers and first did so in 1983. John last played a competitive match with Strikers in 2003.
Chris started at Strikers with his brother Mark as youngsters and Chris played with MCC when he moved to Melbourne for university studies.
Chris moved to Bendigo in 2007 and commenced playing hockey with Strathdale the next year.
Despite troublesome knees, he has been playing with the club ever since.
Chris and his wife Kerri were significant contributors in setting up Bendigo's first Hook into Hockey (development) program.
The couple’s sons Matthew and Nicholas started in the under-13s six years ago.
Matt is now a regular goal scorer in Strathdale's A-grade and Nicholas is progressing through the Tigers’ junior ranks.
Both boys represent HCV Blazers in a metropolitan-based competition at under-16 level.
The match against Loddon Murray ended successfully for the Tigers, who ran out victors 3-1.
Each of the four Wellman family members contributed strongly during the match with Matthew hitting the score sheet.
Regardless of the final result, it was a match that the Wellman family and the Strathdale Hockey Club will not forget.