Old Loughtonians Hockey Academy News Articles

New England Hockey registration requirements

Peter Kempe — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 12:35:01 +0100

With effect from 6th September 2021 every hockey player playing league or cup hockey must be registered with England Hockey.

All team sheets will have to be submitted via the new EH Game Management System so if you are not registered you cannot play.

Players Over 18

Go to https://gms.englandhockey.co.uk and click ‘Register’
Select ‘player’, add your details and select your club (get this right!)
You’ll get a code sent so you can proceed
Complete your full profile
Wait for approval from your club

Players under 18 must be registered by a parent

Go to https://gms.englandhockey.co.uk and ‘Register’
Select ‘parent’, add your details, select your club (get this right!)
You’ll get a code sent so you can proceed
Complete your full profile including the details of your players
Wait for approval from your club

(Note that when players are 18 full profiles can be created and transferred to player)

This EH registration requirement is in addition to registering with the club. Unlike our club registration u18s and u16s cannot register in their own name.

For more details please follow this link to the EH Game Management System page.

The requirement is part of the “Structure Fit for the Future”

initiative.

New website

Peter Kempe — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:23:55 +0100

Dear Members

As mentioned in the message to you on 21 July, the club is moving its website to Pitchero. The new site Old Loughtonians (oldloughts.co.uk) is still under construction but will go live in mid August.

From that date all communication with members will be through the new site, so we need everyone please to register as soon as possible so that you receive the messages about training, availability and selection. You can pay later but please register now if you want to train and play.

We have transferred brief details of all members to the Pitchero database.

One important difference between the way Clubbuzz holds member information and how Pitchero does this, is that the latter requires parents of under 14s to have their own record (sometimes called an “account”) on the database, as well as one for their youngster. It is the parent record which will contain the contact email address. Their record will then be linked to their children's records (where the email field will be blank). We have actually created some new parent accounts based on information held in Clubbuzz for this purpose.

Since Pitchero also does not allow one email address to be used for more than one member record, we have had to use the “parent master record linked to child record method” for some 14 to 18 year olds, where there was more than one sibling using the same parental email address on Clubbuzz.

Practical steps

Adults, Youth and senior Colts

Your name, gender, date of birth and email address (in most cases) have been transferred to the Pitchero website.
You will each receive an invitation directly from Pitchero to log in and register. Please check inbox and junk folders as your membership will not be finalised until you have logged in to confirm details. If you do not confirm your email address the club will not be able to contact you.
We have attempted to set you up with the appropriate “role” (eg Player, Coach, Manager, Parent), but if you think this is wrong you can “apply” for additional roles.
Fill in your registration details and please upload a photo if you are an officer, coach, captain or manager. This will be used on the contacts page Contact Old Loughtonians (oldloughts.co.uk)
For parents of under 14s, we have aimed to link you to your offspring, but you can use the drop-down list to link others if we have missed any. Use the “Add new child” option where you have a new youngster wanting to join the club.

Pitchero Club App – all members

Once you are registered as a member please download the club Pitchero App Pitchero Club App - Download Now This is what will now be used by every team to manage selection, note availability and for squad communication generally.

Captains and managers will be using the Pitchero Manager App.

Junior members who are part of an adult squad are expected to have downloaded the club app and be responsible for notifying availability and accepting selection for club matches (parents will be copied in to all correspondence).

Membership Fees

Pitchero uses a different payment system to Clubbuzz. All membership categories are described as “Products”. Harriet Chere (your membership secretary) has individually allocated the correct membership product to each existing member (for example Adult member or Colt member). Payments can be made using Stripe or GoCardless and can be made in one lump sum or in 8 monthly instalments. Products are either individual or family based and where applicable include the discounts for volunteer roles and umpiring. Please do not try to change the allocated product. If you think it is no longer the correct membership category for you please contact Harriet (membership@oldloughtonians.co.uk ) or John in the office (OLHC@oldloughtonians.co.uk). Fees as before are payable with effect from 1 September and “ no pay, no play” as always.

When the new site is live you will be able to see the membership details on this webpage. Membership in Brief (oldloughts.co.uk)

Feedback

A lot of time has been spent trying to get everything in place ahead of the new season. Please have a look at all of the Information pages (what used to be called “About the Club”) and the Team pages and the Contacts and Gallery and let us know if you have any suggestions or would like to volunteer for any role in the club. Please familiarise yourself with the messages page on the app which will be your contact with your captain, coach and manager for the season.

AGM 2021

Peter Kempe — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 12:52:11 +0100

Old Loughtonians Hockey Club Limited

Roding Sports Centre

Luxborough Lane

Chigwell

Essex IG7 5AB

1 September 2021

Dear Fellow Members

We are planning to hold this year's annual general meeting ("AGM") on Sunday 26tj September 2021 at 3.00 pm. We hope the meeting will be at the clubhouse, but it may have to be by zoom. The notice of the meeting and a form of proxy can be found on the new website.

I am pleased to report that Phillip Wheater has agreed to continue as Chairman of the Club, Richard Higgins will continue as President and Cindy Falconer will continue as Welfare Officer. All three will therefore be seeking re-election as a director.

Harriet Chere has kindly agreed to continue as Membership Secretary and Sam Gayler as Ladies Club captain. Elliott Smith is standing down as Men's Club captain. Many thanks to Elliott for his work. Simon Beckley has agreed to take on the role. Justin Fox will continue on the management board as a co-opted member representing the mini and junior sections and John Wright will join him as the other co-opted member on the management committee.

During the season the management committee procedures have been changed and new sub-committees introduced. We are also proposing to change the composition of the management committee. Phillip Wheater will enlarge on this in his chairman's report.

This will mean that we will have to change the articles of association. The proposed new articles are displayed on the new website.

You will see that the AGM notice includes a schedule setting out the roles which have been filled and those other roles which still need to be filled. As far as Club officers are concerned we still need a Finance Officer, Computer Systems Officer and Sponsorship Officer as well as social secretaries to work with Matt Smylie as Communications Officer..

Without the many volunteers who you will see listed on the schedule, our Club could not function. If you are able to help and would like to carry out any role (whether listed or not) please do let Phillip or me know.

If you are not able to attend, could you please complete the proxy form and return it to me by email.

In advance of the AGM we are exhibiting a copy of:

(a) The Chairman's report prepared by Phillip Wheater;

(b) The Ladies Club Captain's report prepared by Sam Gayler;

(e) The Membership Secretary's report (including recommendations for next season's membership fees) prepared by Harriet Chere.

(f) The report of the company's financial results for the year prepared by Phillip Wheater.

If any member has any other business which they would like to raise at the AGM, please would you let me know.

If the AGM is to be held by video link, then the club office will circulate the details to all eligible members nearer to the date of the AGM.

Yours sincerely

Peter Kempe

Company Secretary

Old Loughtonians Hockey Club Limited

Lea Valley Summer league

Peter Kempe — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:31:23 +0100

Over the last two months our men's and ladies summer league teams have been competing in the highly succesful Big Blue and in the Lea Valley summer league for first teams.

Congratulations to our men's team which won all eight of its matches at Lea Valley and was presented with the trophy last night after winning the final match. Well done to all of the players who took part.

England Hockey Talent Centres

Peter Kempe — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:20:02 +0100

England Hockey has received over 120 expressions of interest from clubs across the country who would like to be accredited as Talent Centres as part of the new England Hockey Talent Development Strategy https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/play/future-talent-strategy

This is four times the number of places available in year one.

We are therefore delighted to be able to report that Old Loughtonians Hockey Club has been offered a place in the first accreditation window which opens in September this year.

A committee of coaches and other volunteers started work earlier this year to prepare for accreditation and the club is well placed to be able to demonstrate that it meets the accreditation requirements. The club already has Clubmark status and can also already show how it shares the EH vision both for Talent Centres and Talent Academies.

There is of course more work to do but it is a great credit to everyone working directly with players and behind the scenes at the club that we have been selected in the first wave of clubs.

Hockey Headlines - We're Back

John Wright — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 18:54:59 +0100

Hockey Headlines – Underway

It’s Starting to Feel Like a Hockey Season .

After a plethora of games, some intra club, we have a very full schedule at Lought’s on Saturday 17th , currently with 7 Games followed by games on Sunday as well .

Mini’s Kick Off Fundraising

Last Saturday saw the start of the new FUNdraising Project with some awful puns but some excellent activity with the Mini’s Fundraising Team rocketing into the lead with a sale of pre- loved kit . More donations came in this week and so their efforts will continue to raise money and save the Planet , this Saturday during Mini Hockey. Please buy up whatever is available to get some great deals and of course donate any loved but outgrown kit. What can your team do ?

Bar & Kitchen Starting to Open .

We had a bit of a test run through with the bar open on Thursday evening, the food was well received and we got lots of positive feedback and will be making a few tweeks and expanding the range as we go along . Members need to know more about the naming of Lou's new Beefburger Creation - "Lou's Brazillian Bombshell Burger" .

You can order your drinks online https://oldloughtonians.touchtakeaway.net , at the moment pay by credit card on delivery rather than via the web page but we will have that resolved shortly.

For Pale Ale drinkers we have sourced a local brewery in Forest Gate and are serving Session Pale Ale from the “ Pretty Decent Beer Co”along side our normal repertoire whilst it is under review . If popular there is a chance that the Brewery will produce a “Lought’s Ale”.

We need to observe the rules around Covid so all drinks will be served ( and need to be consumed) sitting down, or possibly after a few , laying down may be allowed – but not standing up !

Summer Sevens

There are so many plans to make up for lost time playing hockey , that it is now difficult to find a slot to play . However, after a successful reopening of the bar, and sunny , if not warm, weather – the plan is to run a Social Summer Sevens Matches on balmy Friday evenings , with a few drinks and the occasional BBQ . Dates need to be worked out, some help in organising/volunteers sought but Watch This Space.

The Club Shop

The shop is open for business at usual training and match day times , thanks for those who have fed back recommendations to Ali , he’d appreciate a few more so chip in at :

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SCJSBYJ

Enjoy your fun in the sun and don't forget to get your teams plans together for funraising for the Project for the extended terrace.

JW 16 /4 /21

Hockey Headlines - The Return ! (Revised )

John Wright — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 10:45:00 +0100

Welcome Back

The long awaited return to training has started back this week, with games coming up and mini’s starting on Saturday there’s been .....

Lots Going on

With no play one might expect little to have changed but that is not the case for the Club, there have been numerous projects started and underway, preparation for changes to the Clubhouse by JR, Nigel, Matt and his gang building and painting , Bobby connecting up our power , Lester busy with Pitch Cleaning , Simon building tables for our Beer terrace , plans for new merchandise with Emily Holmes and her team, a new storage shed out by the pitches for GK Bags and Training Kit and the biggest ever Hockey Camp this Easter and much more, our magnificent new Purple Pit Stop Coffee Shop , the list goes on .

Playing wise – We have 6 Teams across the Lee Valley League, Block Fixtures against Southgate, Summer 7’s Mixed and training planned until the end of June with more games to be announced soon. Do get in touch with your team Captain, to enjoy the delayed season, (in weather that can be a lot nicer than a normal season) .

With some new beers coming on-line soon and, hopefully, fundraising permitting, a new terrace and bar with an enhanced food menu, the Summer may be a extra pleasurable one at the Club.

The Tuesday night Academy will restart on Tuesday 13th,Junior Championships are still being planned so we should see plenty of Hockey for all.

The FUNdraising Project for the new terrace and bar refit .

Is underway kicked off at Mini Hockey last Saturday , all of the mini hockey players got a badge and teams of mini hockey parents braved the cold to start a Recycling stall and already raised around £50 together with promises for some fantastic Auction prizes. ( Donations of old kit are gratefully accepted - please bring on Saturday morning or contact Russ, Ana or Michelle who have kindly headed this up) .

You will see posters around the Club and terrace , there are some fantastic ideas already from Teams, sponsored matches, hit the cross bar competitions and others besides , now for the bit where we do it and raise some money .

So the question now is what will you do with your team or others to raise some funds for this facility, that you will no doubt enjoy for years to come and which will help support the Club by making it more attractive to players and visitors? We all have our part to play for our Club to make it something we can be even more proud of. whether with donations , sponsorship , car washes , auctions of promises - in our 100th Season , not without it's problems , we will have something pleasurable to remember it by.

Let me know in the office, or catch up with JR if you can help towards the organisation and corellation of this campaign ?

The Purple Pit Stop

The long awaited opening of our superb new Coffee facility has been delayed but not denied by the rules around Covid opening and will be starting at Mini Hockey on Saturday 17th .

Some say that it’s Cappuccini, Lattes and so on are better than Starbucks, Costa and the rest. So if you want agreat WetSkinnyMochaLochaBabyCinno ( whatever one of those is ) , make sure you pay it a visit .( P.S we need someone to work in it please , Saturday mornings 9-12 for pay).

The Club Shop

The shop will soon be able to re-open , you will notice there’s been some fantastic changes that are being implemented (including an astro-turf carpet), but Ali wants to know what more he can do for members and how they feel about the products – please help by completing the short survey that can be found here:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SCJSBYJ

Bar & Catering Opening

There are some very thirsty people out there booking tables for opening hours on 12th April , we won’t be open quite that early but you will be able to drink and eat whilst sat outside the Club from Saturday 17th , when we have several games on. We need to obvserve the rules around Covid so all drinks will be served ( and need to be consumed) sitting down.

We really need staff to help on serving drinks outside, please do let anyone you know who may want to earn some additional money in touch with the office. The new Online Ordering System will be in play and is worth setting up in advance. Save the details to your phone , so you can place your orders and get served at high speed .

The address , from your mobile at https://oldloughtonians.touchtakeaway.net

We are reviewing the Beers and drinks we serve, if anybody has some strong desire for a particular beer and promise to drink lots of it, please contact John Wright and let him know. Massive thanks to Jamie Oxley who has shaken all this side up and set up new expectations, ideas and has carried out loads of work to get this underway. ( amongst all the other things he does too !)

Welcome Back - Phew ! I need a holiday now .

Lought's Camp

John Wright — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:46:11 +0000

Old Loughtonians Hockey Club are delighted to announce the return of the Lought’s Camps for

Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th April 9:30 – 1pm

Fabulous Olympic Astros @ Luxborough Lane Chigwell IG7 5AB

Performance, Academy and International Level Coaches for all levels from ages 7- 16

Quality Coaching for all levels, from junior ,beginners to Talent and Performance players

Goalkeepers welcome all week with GK Masterclass on Wednesday and Thursday.

To Book or for further information a go to Bookings Page or call 020 8504 4010

Hockey Headlines - Lockdown Edition

John Wright — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:40:02 +0000

Chairman’s New Year Message

Dear Members

I hope you had a very pleasant Christmas and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy New Year. The next few months will be very challenging and I wish you and your families well. We must all do everything we can to support our family, friends and of course the NHS. If there are practical ways that you think that we, as a Club, can help our members or the wider community, please let us know.

Clearly 2020 was not the year we were hoping for, but at least we enjoyed some very enthusiastic hockey up to November. It is very difficult to see how hockey in the New Year will pan out, but naturally we will be back playing as soon as we are permitted and as soon as it is safe to do so. As always, the safety of our members and guests is of paramount importance.

I would like to thank the members of our Covid group (Jay Fox, Jamie Oxley and Sam Gayler, Simon Beckley, John Wright) who have considered the Club’s Covid requirements and compliance since the beginning of the season very carefully and diligently and have managed the situation to maximise hockey participation, but at the same time, considering the health and safety of our members. An incredible amount of time has been spent discussing and implementing these arrangements.

England Hockey and the East League are monitoring the current situation and we will let you know, as soon as we can, about any resumption to hockey. There are several proposals under discussion and the Leagues, as with all Clubs, are very keen to complete the season in a sensible way which may mean extending playing time into April or May. The benefit of this is that we will enjoy better weather and I think we, as a Club, would welcome an extension to the season to enjoy as much hockey as possible. I appreciate that may not appeal to everyone, but we are very keen to make up for lost time. We are very fortunate to own and manage our own facilities so the Club will make every effort to provide hockey beyond the normal season end dates.

It is particularly disappointing that we have these restrictions in our Centenary year. We are continuing to plan for 2021 celebrations and, hopefully, a Centenary dinner towards the end of the summer. We will keep you advised of developments in that respect.

It is also unfortunate that, at the time our season was curtailed, our teams were doing very well indeed. Our Men’s first team were in a rich vein of form and were looking to improve on their current third place in the National League. Hopefully the revised arrangements will provide an opportunity for promotion to National League tier two. Our Ladies first team was running into good form so, again, we hope that will continue after the break. Our other teams were also performing very well under an excellent coaching and management structure.

The New Year will bring some interesting developments. England Hockey are revising their Performance Centre structure and will be inviting clubs to apply for Talent Centre and after that Talent Academy accreditation. This will involve further very positive developments to our coaching structure and we will keep you informed of developments in that respect during the course of 2021. As a club, with our own facilities, we are ideally placed to participate in these developments.

We are also working very hard to complete the Club refurbishment works by the beginning of next season. This will (according to current plans) involve significant improvements to the main bar/catering area and the Leonard Bone room, together with an exterior terrace and discrete facilities for the nursery. We hope to circulate plans very soon.

I would like to thank all those who put so much time into running the Club. Since my appointment, we have enjoyed the benefit of greater numbers supporting the management and playing side of the Club which has helped enormously. If any members feel they can contribute to the management and development of the Club in any way, please let me know. There are numerous initiatives which are being implemented by a number of individuals and my thanks go to them for their hard work. That work will continue for the benefit of members in 2021.

Finally I hope you all keep safe and healthy and I look forward to seeing you at the Club in 2021.

Phillip Wheater

Chairman

January 2021

( Phillip in action for Wales Masters )

New Year’s Day

In any normal year, on New Year’s Day morning, the thought of a long training session, freezing cold and with snow having visited the pitches an hour before, one might expect a low attendance. But, even though I advertised the unusual step of including fitness , 14 of the U16 Girls, including a couple of guests could not be put off and had a smashing time ,with plenty of Burpees , Mountain climbers , planks, squats and so on interlaced with stick and ball work. Still smiling at the end -What a bunch!

EDIB Team - leading the way.

Our new diversity team is leading the way in so many areas, not least those documented on the England Hockey Website this week , details of which are available at

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/news.asp?itemid=50007&itemTitle=Keeping+Connected+Through+Lockdown&section=22

The team is to be congratulated on this excellent start to their efforts, Club Members will see more activity on this, making sure that everyone gets the opportunity to play and enjoy Hockey at our club.

For those of you who haven’t seen the efforts around Red January and exercise – part of this is that we now have club the Old Loughtonians HC , Strava Group which has been growing steadily and can be joined at:

https://www.strava.com/clubs/808858?utm_source=com.example.android.notepad&utm_medium=referral

(if you do look at the details on the table on this, please be aware that some runners may have had to face very thick mud, their laces might have come undone and it was raining so I couldn’t see very well).

Finally , a good time to mention , our Club Partners , The Lewin Clinic, are open across lockdown , with appropriate measures in place , and are able to help you if your added exercise is taking it’s toll and you have any injury niggles . Be sure to mention Old Loughtonians to get your discounted first visit .

Hockey Headlines 182

John Wright — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:54:05 +0000

We’re Back! –Last Weekends reports

At least some of us are back and there were a number of games last weekend , and a number due this weekend though this is an ever - changing schedule as isolations and cancellations change the lists so if you have a game – make sure you enjoy it !

The bar is open serving beers once more, subject to having something to eat. It would be great to have teas back but at the moment, due to social distancing, we can’t actually space out and seat 2 teams at a table .

Old Loughts Ladies 1s showed the enforced rest over Lockdown II had done them no harm, as they picked up all 3 points away at Broxbourne.

A frenetic end to end start to the game saw both sides with a number of opportunities before Laura Oglesby found herself free near the baseline inside the D and finished well from a very tight angle to give Loughts the lead.

Oglesby was again influential as Loughts doubled their advantage 5 minutes before the break with a fine ball across the D which Natasha Patient guided home from close range.

Broxbourne came out strongly in the second half and quickly pulled a goal back. However Loughts stayed firmly in control with Chloe Joarder superbly marshalling the impressive back 3.

With 7 minutes remaining Chloe Rogers made sure of the win with thumping strike from a penalty corner. Good luck to the Ladies who travel to League Leaders Ipswich tomorrow in search of an upset.

England List Update

We try our best to keep the information on the website up to date, this includes all our players with International Honours and I was reminded recently that I had forgotten to list Amrit Singh who received honours at both U18 and U21 for England and played for our First X1 Men from 98-2005

I remember Amrit starting and coaching him as a cheeky, smallish 12/13 year oldf and am happy to have seen him develop into a powerful, graceful and skilful player in our first team before he moved over to West London where he still plays. Make sure you visit when next nearby Amrit.

Amrit pictured in the middle back row , some may also spot one of the Directors from our sponsors HIggins pictured here .

Rainbow Laces Campaign

On 12th Dec we have a small stock of Rainbow Laces available for Sale to try to show the support that the club feels for all people in the hockey community, whatever gender, sexuality or identity.

They will be available from the Club office or Bar – best pictures of those wearing them with Pride to will be shared online and in next week’s Hockey Headlines.

Please also note ROOS Hockey are offering all club members 50% off all their ROOS adult and junior sticks using coupon code RSTX50. Visit www.rooshockey.com

Whilst on Discounts – do remember that our Physio Partners, Lewin Clinic also offer 20% off first visits to Club members when getting yourselves fixed .

Important News Concerning England Hockey – Regional Changes from our Vice Chairman Peter Kempe.

As previously reported, at the AGM held in September the members of England Hockey voted in favour of the resolution to approve the proposed structural and governance changes.

As a result the existing 5 regions (East, Midlands, North, South and West) will be replaced by 8 Areas including a new London Area.

Almost all of our adult teams now play in the East League which will now need to restructure to take account of the agreed changes.

The geographical boundaries of the East Region (now Area) will remain to a large part unchanged but the East league structures will change.

The Men’s league will now only have one Premier division (instead of Prem A, Prem B and Div 1) before splitting into North and South. Some teams currently playing in the East league will join the London Area league and the Kent women’s teams will join the new South East Area league and teams in parts of Lincolnshire will join the new North East Area league.

Prior to the EH AGM an East league steering group was formed to start the work that will be needed to create the new structures. The steering group currently consists of

Ali Wardale (Deputy President)

Judith Masters (Secretary)

Emily Radcliffe (Treasurer)

Stuart Burnside (Development Director)

Sally Tippen (Immediate Past President)

There will be separate transition working groups to cover:

(a) Governance;

(b) Adult Leagues;

(d) Indoor hockey;

(e) Umpiring & Officiating;

(f) Player Pathway; and

(g) Masters and Discipline.

Some of these working groups have already been formed and are already operating.

There is however still scope for those with an interest in any of these areas to be involved and we, as a club, are very keen to be involved and to offer our support. I am waiting to hear back from Ali Wardale as to where help might be most needed.

This message is to ask members who are able to contribute to do so.

I have been co-ordinating the review of the EH proposals and am happy to co-ordinate the initiative to support the East working groups as well. I will contact individuals who have been suggested may be able to help but please do volunteer if you think you can contribute on any of these groups. We are one of the biggest clubs in the East and should play our part.

Articles , reports and contibutions to olhc@oldloughtonains.com please .