IT'S D Day for Manning Hockey Association clubs to register teams for the 2020 season.
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Manning Hockey president Debbie Monck expects registrations to be on par or perhaps a bit better than 2019.
The new season will be underway on Saturday March 21 for junior and senior grades.
Port Thunder will again be represented in the men's and women's division one competitions, with Camden Haven expected to play in the women.
"We could have six teams in division one women and that'll be excellent,'' Debbie said.
Four sides are expected to contest the men, three from Taree, Chatham, Tigers and Sharks along with Port Thunder.
Town women and Chatham men will be the defending division one premiers. Town will be aiming for a third successive title while Chatham's been the dominant team in division one men for the past decade.
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A highlight of the year will be the staging of the women's masters half state championships from July 24 to 26.
"We're expecting between 50 and 60 teams,'' Debbie said.
The association's three turf fields will all be in action while there is a possibility grass fields could also be required.
There were concerns late last year as to whether the grass fields would be in suitable condition as the drought continued to bite.
"It's looking a lot better now with the rain we've had,'' Debbie said.
"But all our turf fields have lights. If for some reason we can't use the grass we'll still be right, even if we have to go a bit later into the night with games.''
All three turf fields will have new scoreboards operating this season, while Debbie said work on the association's clubhouse is just about complete. The Manning Hockey complex - with a clubhouse surrounded by three turf fields - is thought to be unique in regional Australia. This is one of the reasons why the association continues to attract State championships in the various grades.
"Our facilities are amazing,'' Debbie said.
It'll again be a busy year for the association's representatives at junior, open and masters level with a number of Manning players named in State under 18 and 15 sides.