SEASON 2020 was one which St Pat's star Shane Conroy hoped would mark back-to-back premierships for his club, but instead it has left him fearing for the future.
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He is fearing for the future of the men's Premier League Hockey competition and the future of the talented juniors within the Central West.
At the start of the year there was talk that Lithgow Zig Zag would return to the men's league and make for a five-team competition in 2020.
But then came the coronavirus pandemic and on Tuesday night when Premier League Hockey officials received confirmation that Lithgow Zig Zag, Lithgow Panthers and Parkes would not field men's teams, the competition was cancelled.
Only Conroy's Saints, the defending premiers, and Orange Wanderers confirmed their intent to play.
"I'm fearful for what the future is going to hold for men's hockey in the Central West, that's for sure," Conroy said.
"Unfortunately there were only two teams that had the numbers, so the committee had to make that decision. There really wasn't much else they could do.
"I think the COVID-19 was the little straw that broke the back, it was enough for everyone not to commit, but I think the writing has been on the wall for a long time. I've been pretty open about saying that."
READ MORE: Saints want a chance to defend their title
While PLH secretary Michelle Stevenson said she hoped this was a 'hiatus' and that a men's competition would return in 2021, she admitted it would be tough.
Conroy shares that opinion.
"Hopefully next year there will be enough interest for the competition to start up again, but it's going to be a tough thing to come back from," he said.
"It's going to be hard next year to drum up interest to play again because people go off and do other things, find other interests to fill their time in.
"I think the flow on effect to Bathurst hockey is going to be detrimental to men's hockey too, I don't know what that's going to look like now."
While Conroy has enjoyed 15 years at Premier League level, has represented NSW Country and toured New Zealand with the Australian Country men's outfit, he is concerned that the region's emerging talents won't get that chance.
With no men's Premier League Hockey competition, Conroy feels an important pathway to higher level hockey has been lost as well.
"I've had the opportunity to play for many years and I feel for these juniors that are just starting their careers out, their hockey paths out," he said.
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"What's going to happen with their hockey and their development going forward?
"If they want to follow that hockey path and make a good fist of it, there's nowhere for them to play in the Central West.
"It's a big commitment for families to travel down to Sydney, for a lot of them it's not feasible.
"That's what I'm more disappointed about, that effort and time we've put into the juniors and now what happens to their hockey futures and their hockey careers?"
At this stage, depending on the continued easing of coronoavirus restrictions, an eight-team women's Premier League Hockey competition will go ahead. July 18 is proposed start date.
