By Liam Twomey
IN 1986, the Footscray Pirates Ice Hockey Club played their last match at the Footscray Ice Hockey rink, after a decision to close it down.
This left a strong and proud club without a home, forcing them to merge with rival teams.
Their commitment to the sport never wavered as a number of Pirates spread across Victoria in search of more ice hockey opportunities.
Those who couldn’t travel, were forced to hang up their skates for what they thought would be the last time.
For 25 years the passion for the Pirates has remained with each player but without a team, it was just a memory.
However, all that changed after Lisa Clarke formed a Facebook Fan Page for members to get back in touch.
That led to a reunion dinner, which led to the realisation that Pirates Hockey would never be silenced.
The same players who pulled on the Footscray jerseys in 1986 are now pulling them on again in 2011 as the Pirates are reborn.
Peter Schreppel played in the under 15s when the Pirates were last a force in Footscray. He now returns to the club as the president and is keen to lead them through a new era of ice hockey.
Schreppel said anticipation among players and supporters has been building as the comeback draws closer.
“We are just happy to be out on the ice again, it’s been 25 years between drinks for these guys,” he said.
“It may not be a big sport for some, but it was a really big part of all of our lives when we were growing up.”
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the club would reform.”
The Pirates are entered into the Ice Hockey Victoria Summer Competition to dust off the cobwebs after their long break.
If all goes to plan, they will enter a side into Ice Hockey Victoria’s main competition in winter.
With 26 confirmed players already, the club is looking strong on and off the ice.
“We are the only Rep C Team registered so far with a full committee. We have full uniforms. We are going into this with a pro attitude.
The committee has also replicated the old Pirates’ ice hockey uniform,” Schreppel said.
“We will just start off with this one team and cap it at 18 players just because the more players you have, the less game time.”
The club has already had expressions of interest from a number of juniors as word begins to spread in the area that the Pirates are docking.
“There is going to be a lot of work involved to be able to get it back, who knows if we have the interest and support,” Schreppel said.
“We will be seeking expressions of interest if anyone would like to find out more information about the club or playing.”
Anyone interested in playing or old Pirates’ team members wanting to re-connect with the team should contact Lisa Clarke on 0411 386 262.
“If you were once a Pirate, then you are a Pirate for life. We would love to hear from them.”
