Ross Briggs has described taking on the Tamworth Hockey Association presidency as like getting the keys to a new car - and he's excited to see what it can do.
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The manager of compliance at Tamworth Regional Council was earlier this month appointed to the top job, deepening an association with the sport that began after his family moved to Tamworth when he was in primary school.
Starting at Timbumburi, he recalled the only winter sport they played at the time was hockey.
Briggs was, pardon the pun, hooked, continuing to play through his high school days and uni, and then when returning to Tamworth to raise his family.
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These days he shares his passion with children Joseph (16), who he has the last couple of seasons had the thrill of pulling on the Kiwis black alongside, and Georgia (14) with both playing and also involved in junior coaching and umpiring. Wife Emma has also picked up the stick at one time or another (he is working on her to come back).
One of several new faces on the executive team Briggs said he "didn't have any real intention" of taking on the presidency. He was "happy doing what I was doing", which was playing and helping out with a bit of coaching.
Then incumbent president Mark O'Connor said he was looking to step down after this year and asked if he would be interested.
"(I'm) A bit nervous but excited at the potential for Tamworth Hockey as we go forward," Briggs said about stepping up to the post.
"I've sort of said to other people it's like being handed the keys to a new car that hasn't really been tested and you get to give it a spin and see what it can do."
Looking to build on what O'Connor and his team(s) did, Briggs said there are a couple of infrastructural things in the plans like more covered areas and replacing some lighting. He also spoke about encouraging greater membership and opening up the facility to year-round use either through having a bigger summer competition or hiring out the facility to other sports.
"There's still plenty of avenues there," he said.
He acknowledged the work that O'Connor and his board have done over the last six years.
"Especially in getting the association into the financial position that it is, to be able to apply for the grants that enabled Tamworth Hockey and council and the state government to work together to develop the facility that we've got today," Briggs said.
"It's a great testament to their hard work and ability to manage that we're in this great position. We're still in a very strong financial position and I think it's going to be a great year moving forward. If we can get through a full season and have a few events it will be a great boon for Tamworth."
Briggs will be pretty much straight into it in the new year with Tamworth hosting the Regional Challenge in February. It will be the first of three major tournaments the THA will host, COVID permitting, in 2021 with the state over-40s/45s men's masters championships scheduled for April and then the annual York Cup and Kim Small Shield in July.
