OLYMPIC medallist Tim Deavin scored a goal and helped lift his grassroots club Tamar Churinga to a win over Queechy Penguins at St Leonards yesterday, ending a week of drama that started with him being banned from the competition.
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On a break from his base in Western Australia, the Greater Northern League hierarchy suspended Deavin from taking any further part this season due to a clause that states no players can enter the competition in the final four weeks.
Devonport filed a complaint to the league after Deavin played against South Burnie several weeks ago, despite being a registered Tamar member.
In what the Launceston hockey star admitted was probably his last match for bottom-ranked Tamar, the Queechy Penguins agreed to let Deavin play in the match that doubled as a Call to Arms cancer fund-raiser.
‘‘I love getting to catch up with all the people you grew up playing with ... it is always good to come back home,’’ Deavin said.
‘‘After the ban was handed down I was pretty upset and disappointed.
‘‘It is a bit of a silly thing – personally I don’t think it is the smartest idea, especially when I don’t have the time to do it regularly.
‘‘Normally I play in Hobart because the competition is stronger – it is just a shame that I try and come back and help the hockey community and they sort of slap you in the face.’’
Deavin, 30, said there was potential for him to return once his professional career was over.
Deavin will line-up in the New Zealand National League in a couple of weeks, before returning for the Australian competition and a Kookaburras’ camp with the unnamed national coach.
‘‘I’m going to hang around until they kick me out ... I’ve got a number of years left,’’ he said.
‘‘I have got a young body and I am still enjoying it.’’
Tamar Churinga won yesterday’s clash, 3-2.