As summer begins to fade into autumn we reach the start of yet another hockey season. It’s time to reflect on what has gone by and look forward to 2016-17. I apologise for the length of this post, but it is all important information.
2015/16 Season
First of all and most importantly, as the incoming ‘Ladies Chair’ I would like – both personally and also on behalf of the Section – to thank the outgoing Ladies Chair Hayley Wood for her commitment and dedication to this role for so many years. Hayles has held this position since I joined the Club and I can honestly say that she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. It will be a shockingly hard job to even get close to filling those boots. I can only promise to try and continue in the same vein as Hayles and will regularly be consulting her for guidance! Now on to last year’s hockey – from a playing perspective the 2015/16 highlight was the 2nd team’s promotion to Yorkshire League 1. This reduced the gap between them and the 1st team (who also recorded their highest position for a number of years in North Division 2 SE – congratulations to last year’s Captain Ailish Hendry). However this club is not just about the higher teams – we were just as delighted with the 3rd and 4th teams performances and League positions, especially given the struggle with regular availability last season.
2016-17 Strategy
This year the Ladies Section’s main aim is to maintain the league position of all 4 teams. It is important for the Club that we continue to support all levels of hockey from beginner to advanced. We are relying on you all to give us as much commitment as you can, plus enough notice of your availability so that we can ensure all teams are adequately supported each week. Please be supportive, whatever team you are asked to play for, as this means we can put out 4 competitive teams every week, which is the best thing for the section.
Ladies Training
Pre-season is now finished and regular training begins this coming Thursday (8th September) 7.30-10pm. As in previous seasons the 3rd and 4th team will train from 7.30-8.30pm with Linda Stacey and the 1st and 2nd teams will train from 8.30- 10pm with James Cowden (work permitting). Please ensure that you arrive early enough for a warm up. Training is not only free (included within Subs), but is an important part of playing a team sport. Players are expected to attend regularly and should notify their Captains if they cannot make it. Please remember that we have Coaches who freely give their time and experience to help us play better on a Saturday and we need to provide a good turnout so they are able to organise productive sessions. You may also be asked to train with a higher team as well as your normal team; this is to try to help you develop further as a player, so make the effort to attend if possible.
Squads, Teams and Kit
We have been watching some of you pre-season and will continue to do so in the next couple of weeks at training. Squads will be decided shortly but it is fair to say that for the first few weeks, teams may be fluid as we try to create 4 regular and workable teams with the right combination of youth and experience. Please note that selection is always agreed by the Committee on a weekly basis and we may be unable to satisfy everyone. However if you do have any concerns, by all means feel free to come and talk to me about it. In addition, we are changing shirts this season. Yorkshire Catering Equipment Ltd (yce.co.uk) are sponsoring the entire club, allowing us to maintain shirt prices at £10. The new shirts can be ordered from Captains (sample sizes are available to try). Everyone will need to buy one so we can maintain a consistent look throughout both the Ladies Section and the Club. Other Slazenger kit (hoodies, tracksuits, socks and skorts) is also available for ordering.
Slazenger Club Day
This year our Club Day will be on the 10th September – we have cleared the schedule so everyone is free to come down and have some fun. Please make every effort to come down, and perhaps even bring a friend! There will be mixed half pitch games for all abilities from 1pm – 5pm, followed by a social in the evening.
Subscriptions & Registration
The cost of Subscriptions at Slazenger is low compared to other clubs in the area (especially as it also includes training costs). Please make an effort to pay ASAP if you are going to play this season – this helps make Captains’ lives easier not having to chase people. It would also be great if this year we could be the first section to collect all their subs! Just to make it really easy, you can also pay by Standing Order, which works out at less than £7 a month. For people wanting to pay by cash or cheque the cost is £80. If subs are not paid or a standing order is not started by the end of October, then the Club policy is that you won’t be selected. In addition, everyone who is going to play must fill in the registration form which is enclosed. Please fill this in ASAP and pass to your Captain, ideally along with your subs.
‘The Committee’ and how to contact us
The 2016/17 Ladies Committee this year is below. All of us are very approachable and will always be happy to discuss any issues or questions that you might have at Training, Games or Socials. Please also feel free to use our direct email (Ladies@slazengerhc.co.uk) or Facebook to contact us – you can always use a private message if you want. There is also a Slazenger Hockey Club Facebook page which you may be aware of and you will shortly be invited to a specific Ladies Section Facebook Page (if we can find you on Facebook). If you received this email you are already on the Club mailing list so will receive any important mailings this way too.
- Ladies Chairperson – Helen Hough
- 1st Team Captain – Kelly Whittam
- 1st Team Vice Captain – Lisa Minchella
- 2nd Team Captain – Stacey Drake
- 2nd Team Vice Captain – TBC
- 3rd Team Captain – Sarah Ritchey
- 3rd Team Vice Captain – Beth Prince
- 4th Team Captain – Julie Bailey
- 4th Team Vice Captain – TBC
- Fixtures – Lisa Chappell
- Umpires – Lizzie Tunstall
Thanks and enjoy your season!
Huffy & the Committee