Hockey Headlines 171
Posted by on 20 August 2020
Hockey Headlines 171
Exciting Proposal – First Steps to a fantastic ClubHouse ?
Initial planning has been agreed by Mancom (the Clubs Management Committee), to see if we can make some exciting changes to the Clubhouse as we approach our 100th Season.
There’s a long way to go but the first step has included the engagement of an Interior designer to flesh out the ideas that were put to the Club by members last season, to make the club a welcoming and fun environment and also to help with calculating the project costs.
The picture above shows just the proposed outside viewing deck but in addition there would be changes to give the Clubhouse a more welcoming and modern feel.
This is just the first step of course and the key area is whether we are all able to raise the necessary funds through donations and fund raising activities.
With key players joining both the Mens and Ladies First X1’s and a great season of promotions throughout the rest of the Club, it is hoped that we can come together to take the Clubhouse forward to match the developments and expectations on the pitch. Ideas or help in raising the funds should be notified to John Reynolds (about whom,more later)
New Recruits to Men’s First XI and the Welcome return of a Club Stalwart .
The Club is delighted to announce the arrival of two more, high calibre, players to the Men’s First XI, welcome Tom Watson and Max Heaver. This is what they had to say:
Tom Watson
“It’s great to be returning to the club after 6 years away. Since my last game for the club I’ve played a season in New Zealand, spent 4 years at Exeter Uni and more recently 2 seasons with Old Georgians. I’ve been fortunate to play a part in 2 conference winning campaigns both culminating in promotion to the Premier League. It’s an exciting time to be coming back to the club and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
Max Heaver
“Starting off life at Bracknell HC, and moving to make a national league debut at 16 with Reading, before going on to have 3 highly successful years at Exeter University, capped off by gaining promotion to the premier league in the final year.
Having re-joined Reading following graduation for 2 more years of premiership hockey, and notching up over 100 national league appearances, the lure of joining up with a few Exeter old boys and a new challenge with OL was exciting. The shared ambition to return the club to its previous heights led me here. Looking forward to the first win at Luxborough Lane!”
John Reynolds.
A big welcome back also to John Reynolds (or JR as many know him). We may not tempt John back onto the pitch but he adds enormously to our strength amongst the management team at the Club.
John was Captain of the Men’s 2’s some years ago, played 1’s , headed one of our development teams (called the 2a’s ) and played in a calm and reliable manner , bringing the best out of the youngsters on their way to the first XI . A leader off the pitch as well as on, he managed the Men’s 1 and had great success with the Indoor Team, winning Nationally and in Europe, he was one of the original team involved with the acquisition of the pitches at Luxborough Lane. He’s been away for a while, coaching success in Athletics and we are delighted to have him back to help guide and assist with our fund raising activities for the Clubhouse and other planned enhancements in this important year.
U-16 Boys Quarter Finals.
Our boys progressed to the quarter finals of this National Competition earlier in the year but it came into doubt as a result of the Pandemic. Fortunately the teams involved have got together to informally arrange for the competition to be finalised , have the support of England Hockey and so ,will be competing at 6:30pm of Monday 31 August against Cambridge City. Please come to cheer our boys along and see some of our future stars in action.
Great Progress on Getting Back
As reported last week, we are able to get back playing again, and Club Members have been brilliant in getting the important first step done, completion of the Participation Agreement and so far we have more than 300 members who have completed this.
A second successful Summer Camp is running this week, friendly matches are booked and we are approaching the season quickly. We hope to be able to go to Stage 5 of the England Hockey plan, which will be League Games
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