A brief history of ECHO

Establishment: 2002-2004

ECHO hockey club was formed and affiliated with Hockey Victoria in 2002 on the back of a successful summer season trial. Founded as a sporting club that upholds Christian values and good sportsmanship with the purpose of providing hockey players the chance to play competitive hockey on Saturdays.

As a one team club, the first season was a success, winning both the Minor Premiership and Premiership flag. The following year, despite losing the Grand Final, the club again achieved promotion. In 2004 ECHO added an additional Men's team and a new Women's team. The Women's team won the clubs second Premiership and both Men's teams played finals.

Growing into a club: 2005 – 2010

In 2005 the Men's First team moved into the State League competition, where it narrowly missed out on finals. Both the Metro 3 Men's and Metro 3 Women's team made the Grand Final and were promoted. In 2006 the Men's State League team won the minor Premiership and promotion, however, lost the Grand Final. The Women's team had a one off season in the State League competition.

The club continued to expanded in 2007, adding a third Men's team, however, the Men's Metro 2 team narrowly avoided relegation. 2008 was the least successful season in the clubs history with no teams making the finals and the Metro 2 team being relegated. The club returned a stronger 2009 season with the Women making the finals and both the Metro and State League Men's teams having competitive seasons.

In 2010 the club built on the 2009, and like 2007, ECHO again entered four teams. However, unlike the tough 2007 season the club successfully won Metro 3 and Metro 4 made the finals. The Women only narrowly missed the finals.

Building a strong vision for the future: 2011 – 2014

2011 marked a milestone in the clubs history with the addition of an Under 9′s team. However, the Men's teams struggled with all three finishing in the bottom half of their competitions and the State League team was relegated. The year was saved by a dominant performance by the Women, who unfortunately narrowly missed out on a Grand Final and promotion.

Winter 2012 was a breakthrough season for the Club and a season that has set winning culture that exists today. This was built on strong recruitment over summer, increased momentum derived from the disappointments of 2011, growing drive in the Women's team and the expansion of our Juniors to include Under 11′s. The result was all senior teams finishing in contention for finals, with metro 4 men finishing third and both Metro 2 Women and State League 5 Men winning Premierships - the Club's forth and fifth.

The club continue to expand over 2012-13 Summer, this time into Masters hockey (35+). The 2013 Winter season brought both a new Club and competition structure and further growth. The additional Under 10s team and continued growth in player numbers and depth across the board, built on the 2012 successes. The strong player numbers and continued enthusiasm enabled promotion of both our Metro 3 Men and Women teams, with the Men coming Runners-Up.

2014 brings excitement about the future, with the Juniors establishing a new home in Ringwood and Seniors expanding, adding a forth Men's team and Women reaching capacity for two teams. The Club is looking to build much stronger approaches that allow players of all standards and abilities to improve and develop with a push for on and off field success across all teams.