MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

            The Club’s Management Committee for next season will be elected at our AGM on Saturday 25th June 2016.  All of the current members have agreed to stand for re-election again apart from Tim Murphy who has decided not to continue as Men’s Captain for 2016/17.  Many thanks go to Tim for everything he has done in that role and as Umpire Secretary.

 

            Anyone who would like to take on these vitally important roles should please let Julie Warwick-Munday know (juleswm@virginmedia.com) as soon as possible. There is a lot to do over the summer in preparation for next season and ideally the new Men’s Captain could start as soon as possible.

 

Given the importance of good communication, marketing and sponsorship, the Committee is also proposing to ask somebody to join the committee as Information Officer.  The Officer would have responsibility for all aspects of communication and publicity and also looking for additional sponsorship opportunities.  Would anyone interested in this role also contact Julie as soon as possible?

 

Team Captains will also be confirmed at the AGM and should there be any competition for any of the positions a vote will be taken.  We need a strong and proactive team of Captains to run the sides, so if you feel you can do the job please volunteer.

 

If any member is interested in standing for any of the other roles on the Management Committee then they are of course also welcome to be nominated.

 

            AGM DATE FOR DIARIES – GAMES AND A BBQ:

            The Annual General Meeting will on Saturday 25th June at 12 noon at the Luxborough Lane Club house.  The meeting will be followed by a BBQ and the chance to watch the Alumni Games the club is hosting between the current 1st XIs and players who have played for the club in the recent past.  It is hoped this will be an annual fixture and will be a chance to catch up with old friends and see some familiar faces gracing the smurf turf once again!  Put it in your calendar!

 

U12 BOYS GO TO NATIONAL FINALS:

Saturday 14th May saw the U12 Boys travel to Beeston Hockey Club in Nottingham for the National Finals Day. It was a perfect day for playing hockey and the boys were given a warm welcome and accompanied by many enthusiastic supporters. In their first game against Rugby & East Warwickshire the boys started well and passed the ball around nicely, though slightly tentatively, which resulted in them struggling to make the most of the chances they created. Despite having the lion’s share of the possession and creating a number of good chances they never managed to put the ball in the back of the net. This cost them dearly late in the second half when Rugby hit them on a counter attack and managed to sneak a goal. The end result 0-1. 

 

The second game followed a similar vein, the boys matched Robinsons and again probably had slightly more of the play but it remained a nervy game and the inability to hit the back of the net cost them again when Robinsons hit them twice on the break to win the game 0-2.

 

The boys worked hard to put the first two results behind them but in the third game against Alderley Edge the anxiety of needing to score a goal and win a game clearly took its toll. The boys dominated possession but failed to score whilst the opposition soaked up the pressure and manged to squeeze a half opportunity home. The end result 0-1.

 

With nothing to lose in the fourth and final pool game the boys faced Canterbury who were unbeaten, hadn’t conceded a goal and were sitting at the top of the pool. The boys rose to the challenge and played their best hockey of the day and despite going a couple of goals down fought back really well to score their first goal. Eventually they lost 1-3 but walked off the pitch holding their heads high. Canterbury went on to win the tournament against Surbiton in the final 3-1 with some fantastic hockey and only conceding 2 goals in the whole tournament, one of them to Loughts!

 

Despite coming fifth in the pool, the playoff match held great interest as the boys were drawn against Harleston Magpies who beat them in the Regional Finals on penalty flicks. Trying to set the record straight spurred the boys on and they got the first break, scoring their second goal of the day. They defended their lead valiantly and created further chances but in the end held on for a 1-0 victory.

 

U12 Boys

 

Overall it was a bit of a disappointing day as the boys never really played the hockey they know they are capable of playing, but it was a great experience and was good to set the record straight against Harleston Magpies. It shouldn’t be forgotten though, how well the boys have done. It was a massive achievement to get that far and is the result of a lot of hard work over the last four years. We remain very proud of the boys and for the coaches and managers it has been a pleasure to work with them over the last few years. A number of the team now go up to join the U14s and they will all be missed, but we wish them all the very best of luck. For those that remain they shall regroup and try again next year.

 

Thank you so much boys and parents for all your hard work and commitment, it’s been a great journey and I hope you have all enjoyed it as much as I have. THANK YOU! – Rob Gayler

 

SOCIAL HOCKEY - ALL ADULTS OR YOUTH PLAYERS AGED 14+ WELCOME:

Saturdays: 11th June; 18th June; 2nd July and 9th July 1.00 - 3.00pm

 

Want to have fun? Keep up your fitness? Or just to have a go if you're a non-player? Then come down to the club on Saturdays at 1.00 - 3.00pm for some fun, social hockey - open to all adults or any youth players aged 14+. All abilities welcome for relaxed social matches - we'll play mixed 7 or 11 aside depending on numbers and the bar will be open for a social drink afterwards - members, guests and return-to-hockey players all welcome. Should be fun - look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

BACK TO HOCKEY:

The Club is joining hundreds of other clubs across the country which will be running "Back to Hockey" sessions for men and women. The first session will be at its Luxborough Lane on Tuesday 10th May starting at 7.45 pm.  The Back to Hockey sessions will be run by club coaches and are aimed at men and women who have either not played hockey for a long period of time or who are looking to try the sport for the first time.  The coached sessions will provide players with a great opportunity to learn or refresh skills and to play with like-minded people in a friendly and relaxed environment without the pressure to perform.  For information please contact John Wright at jtw7010@gmail.com who is coordinating the sessions.