‘ WICKY ’ LEGEND MAKES IT LUCKY 13

Vic East is set to represent NSW for the 13th time in Perth this October.

JAMBEROOS Vic East is nothing short of a local legend.

He has been playing hockey for 48 years and has represented Australia at international events during his outstanding career.

Vic will now represent NSW for the 13th time when he turns out for the NSW Grand Masters, for over 65s, to contest the Australian Championships in Perth this coming October, proving that his simple training method of hitting balls against a wall, is still working.

After all these years, Vic can still recall his very first match for St Michaels and despite going down 15-0, Mr East remains as dedicated to the sport as the day he started.

I havent missed a season in 48 years, he says proudly.

I remember my first game as we were like the new kids on the block, playing against more experienced teams. Vic said

I was mostly attracted to hockey by the skill involved with just a ball and stick and it was a challenge for the skill, he added.

Having gone on to represent at regional, state and international he is now a life member of Dapto and Illawarra Hockey association and formed Jamberoo Hockey club in 1988, winning a premiership that same year.

He first played for Australia in 1998, travelling to Germany for the World Cup and recalls the English as the toughest opponents he has faced. Known around Jamberoo bowls circles as Wicky Vic, Mr East has served as Jamberoo Bowls Organiser for the past ten years and is a level one bowls umpire, as Vic explains how his nickname came to be.

I used to wik off bowl on to the jack a lot, and one chap started to call me Wiky Vic and the name caught on.

Vic is showing no signs of slowing down his enthusiasm for hockey, with his next tour fast approaching, the veteran believes the strength of Australian Hockey is set to continue.

There excellent coaches out there and theres some great new talent coming into the game.