Northern hockey players have been training the house down after getting the green light to return to their St Leonards complex this week.
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Announced last Friday that the state's Northern and Southern centres would re-open for training, players were met with more positive news on Tuesday.
While the season will be shorter for the players, Hockey Tasmania fees have been halved with South Launceston Suns president David Hickman saying his players are chomping at the bit to get back out there.
"The players are really keen, initially for this week anyway, we've given priority to our GNL teams because this week at least there was limited numbers that could get on the turf," Hickman said.
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"We are going to open that up next week in line with the relaxing of the numbers but they've been very happy to get back on the turf and now they just want to get back into competition mode for games."
A July start date is being eyed off, similar to most winter sports, with draft rosters having been sent to the Greater Northern League competition's eight entities.
"We have a draft GNL roster which Hockey Tas are looking at to see that the dynamics of that work for everybody.
"That's a bit of challenge because there's going to be uneven home-away games. With only half a season, we basically only get one full round so, for instance, our guys might play in Burnie but there won't be a reciprocal game back in Launceston.
"That's just something we are all going to have to live with this season. It's an issue, but you can't resolve it for everyone's satisfaction.
"There's going to be an imbalance there in that sense as far as home and away games go, let's just live with it and get back to playing and then next year, it will be back to normal with a full home and away season."
Having won four of the past six Greater Northern League championships, South Launceston's men's side has become one of the North's strongest sporting entities.
Consistently packing the self-proclaimed "Suns hill" with supporters, Hickman is hoping the relaxation of restrictions will allow those passionate fans a chance to watch their friends or relatives in action.
"The relaxing of those sorts of criteria is going to help everyone get back to it, supporters as well - like every team sport, we are keen to have supporters there."
The Suns' men's side will again be coached by Al McBain while Andrew Lancaster takes the women's reins.
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
