Game Changers: Chris Souchon – Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association

Game Changers is a series celebrating people in the hockey community who are doing more than just playing the game — they are changing it.

In this edition, we meet Chris Souchon: a dedicated player, coach and community driver in the Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association (EGHA), whose journey from Zimbabwe to Kalgoorlie has shaped not only his love for hockey, but his passion for giving back.

Chris first picked up a hockey stick after his family moved from Zimbabwe to Kalgoorlie in 2008, to get involved in the community.

“Our parents thought it was a good idea to get us out and about, so we came down when Hookin2Hockey first started – and I’ve been playing ever since,” he said.

Since then, Chris has become a fixture in the Goldfields hockey scene, starting out playing at YMHC (then YMCA) before moving to Norths Wesley Hockey Club to take his hockey further.

Along with playing at club level, Chris takes on coaching roles within Norths Wesley Hockey Club, bringing a wealth of experience from years of state representation – including six stints with the WA State Country team and a national gold medal with the WA Under-16 School Sports Boys team.

But his biggest impact may be off the field, where he’s focused on building up those around him.

“A lot of the boys here [in Kalgoorlie] haven’t had the chance to see what the game looks like at a higher level, so I try to pass on what I’ve learned and help get the [EGHA] be more competitive at Country Week,” he said.

Chris co-leads the EGHA Men’s team at the CBH Group Country Championships, supported by a dedicated group of volunteers.

He said while the coaching role can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding.

“When parents come up after a junior session and say their kid loved it – or when you see players take something from training and use it in a game – that’s the best part,” he said.

In regional towns like Kalgoorlie, sport is more than just something to do – it’s a way to connect, and nothing brings people together quite like a home game featuring some of the nation’s best.

“When the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos played here, it showed how much the Goldfields cares about what’s going on – not just locally, but in the wider sport,” Chris said.

“Everyone came together, even the footy boys were yelling from the fence.”

That community spirit is what drives initiatives like Hookin2Hockey, which has introduced hundreds of kids to the game, as well as make events like the Country Championships so special.

“The juniors run the barbecue, the clubs pitch in, the sponsors get behind us – it’s a full community effort,” Chris said.

Of course, there are challenges – the FIFO lifestyle makes consistency tough and small rosters can swing dramatically from week to week, but according to Chris, that just makes every training session and game more meaningful.

“You’ve got nine guys one week and 14 the next — but you just make it work,” he said.

“That’s the country way.”

Even with fewer resources, Chris believes the regional hockey scene has something powerful to offer.

“We play chaos hockey. It’s unstructured, it’s passionate, and there’s a little bit of mongrel in it,” he said.

“We might not have the polish, but we’ve got the heart.”

And when asked for advice to young players or those facing challenges in their sporting journey, Chris doesn’t hesitate.

“You’re going to face setbacks — that’s part of sport,” he said.

“It’s how you bounce back that counts.

“Talk to your teammates, lean on your club, and just keep going.

“That’s how we went from a tough grand final loss to winning gold the next year.”

Whether he’s coaching from the sidelines, leading by example, or simply sharing what he’s learned, Chris Souchon is proving that in country hockey, connection is everything — and the drive to improve lives well beyond the scoreboard.

Do you know someone who is changing the game? Get in touch with Hockey WA so we can showcase the people that are changing the game and making the hockey community great!