Julius ‘Heatseeker’ Heyning arrived at the La Trobe University Hockey Club in 2008, a time when the Gunners were struggling. The Men’s side of the club was down to three teams; the 1’s had been relegated three years in a row, the 2’s had been relegated from Pennant C to Metro 2, dropping five grades over as many years, we’d lost a lot of players and the clouds were perpetually dark over the Cauldron. Then the Dutchman arrived.
Julius came down to training when there were only three men attending, and while other new players came and went because of the low numbers and the 1’s faced relegation (again), Julius stayed committed and helped lift the 1’s and Men’s club back onto its feet.
Originally identified as a potential 2’s player, Julius dominated in State League 4 in 2008, taking out the 1’s Best and Fairest (the famous Puller Shield) and getting his name up with the true legends of the club on the Honour Board.
In 2009 Julius, along with Differ, Tim Hunt, Rob James and Glidey, helped bring the 1’s back from the wilderness, four years of relegation and then a State League Premiership – the Gunners were back! During his time at the club Julius has attended every Albury Hockey Carnival, Cocktail night, Pub Crawl, Training Camp and Presentation night. If there was a Gunners event on – Julius was there.
In 2010 Jules became Vice President of the club (one of the most esteemed positions on the LTUHC committee) and again went to Albury, guiding the Gunners to their ‘breakthrough’ Men’s C grade Albury flag.
In 2011, Jules helped establish the Gunners new website, continued in his role as Vice President and also got the ‘Queenscliff Kings’ home for a win at the Gunners 2011 Training Camp.
In his last game for the Gunners, Jules scored 5 goals (from the backline!).
Julius has been a true champion of the club on and off the field. He will always be welcome back at the Gunners. We’ll miss you buddy!