Tamworth Hockey Association is forging ahead with plans for it's annual York Cup and Kim Small Shield as a raft of tournaments are cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
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Hockey Australia has cancelled all National Championships this year, and Hockey NSW likewise their State Championships.
The annual under-11s tournament is run independently by the THA, and taking to social media the association said that at this point in time their intention is to host the event as planned in July.
"As our event is four months away we are monitoring the current health crisis closely and if circumstances prevail which mean that it is not safe, prudent or responsible for the event to go ahead we will cancel it," the post read.
"But for now we will reserve any decision on it until we have a clearer picture closer to the time."
Elaborating on that THA president Mark O'Connor said they believe four months out is "too soon to call it".
"We think we owe it to our stakeholders and the hockey public to go ahead," he said.
The carnival, now in it's 18th year, is due to be held from July 16-19.
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"If we can run an event we want to do it," O'Connor said.
"We want to give people some hope of hockey going ahead."
He stressed that they take health of their players and spectators extremely seriously and won't be putting anyone in a situation where that is compromised.
"All we can do is remain hopeful and positive that everything will be sorted out by then," he said.
At present all hockey-related activities are suspended until May 2 in accordance with the recommendations of the state and national bodies.
Tamworth was also due to host the men's over-40s and 45s state championships in May but they were cancelled by the Hockey NSW Men's Masters committee.
The event was going to a be a showcase of the THA's newly-upgraded facilities.
The $9.6 million project, which will see Tamworth become the first regional association in the country to have three water-based fields all under lights of international standard, is nearing completion.
