Ladies 3rd XI

2016 Ladies Section Information

September 7, 2016 by Slazenger HC

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

Report: 13-12-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Sheffield University Bankers 3rd’s

December 13, 2015 by Slazenger HC

2015-12-12-l3-louise_beever

On Sunday Slazengers took on the promising Sheffield University bankers team in a home league fixture.

Bankers started strongly getting the first goal of the game from a short corner. This was a wake up call for Slazengers who began to show their attacking intent with a number of breaks up the right flank by joint player of the match Amy Brereton. She was rewarded with a fantastic solo goal after she completely out paced the university defenders.

The Slazengers defensive unit stood firm and joint player of the match Sarah Ritchey made some well timed and essential tackles.

The score line of 1 all was taken into the half time break.

Slazengers came out fighting and managed to go a goal ahead after Louise Beever netted the ball during a scramble in the D.

Slazengers held their lead for the last 20 minutes resulting in an impressive 2 – 1 victory.

6 points from the weekend saw Slazengers 3’s climb up to mid table before their Christmas break.

Report: 12-12-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (0) Huddersfield Kirklees 1st’s

December 12, 2015 by Slazenger HC

On a rainy cold Saturday morning Slazengers made the short journey to take on Huddersfield ladies.

Slazengers first goal came from a free hit just inside the 25, this was taken quickly down the right and crossed to the stick of player of the match Lucy Howard who placed the ball neatly into the back of the goal to take Slazengers into the lead.

Slazengers continued to press and were duly rewarded when a free flowing passing move saw this time the scorer Caro Schofield hammering the ball past the goal keeper.

Slazengers continued to dominate and would have no doubt made it more if the Huddersfield team hadn’t called a stop to the match due to the torturous conditions.

The score of 2 – 0 stood.

Report: 28-11-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Brigg 2nd’s

November 28, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers ladies 3’s travelled to Brigg for their Saturday afternoon fixture keen to build on their win from last week. They showed their intent early and looked confident in their passing and movement. Attacking chances were created from the off with player of the match Naomi Frith dictating play from the middle. Slazengers were rewarded when some very quick movement from Carol Schofield saw the visitors go 1 up when she struck the back board mid way through the first half.

There was very little work for the Slazengers defence to do. This saw a change to Slazengers formation in the second half as they gave themselves the luxury of pushing another player into attack. The second half however was a more even affair and the Brigg attack caught the Slazengers defence momentarily off guard and evened out the score.

Slazenger’s fought back with intensity and the lead was restored one minute before the final whistle when the Slazengers were awarded a short corner which was injected with precision by Emily Chason and neatly finished off by Naomi Frith.

Next week Slazengers are looking to upset top of the league Sheffield Bankers

Report: 21-11-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs. (0) Chapeltown 2nd’s

November 21, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers began their home fixture with enthusiasm; highlighting their determination to put an end to their recent run of bad form. Both teams went out hard, putting pressure on the others defence, making sure it was an exciting end to end battle. Slazengers were hungry for an early goal but despite dangerous efforts by player of the match Caro Scofield and forward Louise Beever, neither could break the deadlock and the game remained goaless at half time.

In the second half Slazengers maintained their determination and retained possession well. Further driving runs were made by Carol Scofield from which she was eventually rewarded when she impressively slotted the ball home from a narrow angle, leading to the only goal of the game. The team were extremely proud of their performance and the well deserved 3 points.

Slazengers will travel to Brigg next week where they will hope to continue their positive streak.

Report: 07-11-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (3) Rotherham 3rd’s

November 7, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 3rd’s made an early morning visit to a Rotherham side only one position above them in the league table. Slazengers made a positive start to the game dominating possession of the ball, which was rewarded midway through the half when Lily Miles smashed the ball into the D and Justine Birkett got a sly delection. Slazengers continued to work hard pressing forward from the midfield driven by Niomi Firth. Another goal was added to the tally a minute before half time when Hannah Chilton finished off some Slazengers quick passing,taking a 2 goal lead into the break.

Rotherham came back re-charged in the second half and gave themselves hope with an early goal. The 2nd half was more evenly balanced than the first, despite slazengers taking a 3-1 lead when player of the match Justine Birkett struck the ball against the backboard and gave the away team some breathing space. However Rotherham didn’t allow them to rest for long, pulling one back with a goal from free play and another from a short corner. Slazengers desperately tried to take all 3 points in the final seconds with 2 consecutive short corners after the final whistle blew. But it was not to be, leading to an unfortunate 3-3 draw for the Ladies team.

Report: 31-10-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs. (1) Louth 1st’s

October 31, 2015 by Slazenger HC

A Sunday fixture for Slazengers ladies 3s meant a home tie against Lincolnshire side Louth in the 1st round of the Yvonne Horner knockout cup. The first half saw both teams applying pressure in the opposition’s half, but the Slazengers defence were impressive and stood firm. Goalkeeper Gemma Wilson made impressive saves, keeping Slazengers in the game time and time again and resulting in her earning the player of the match accolade.

The 2nd half continued to be goaless until mid way through when Louth finally broke the deadlock. Slazengers continued to battle hard and push forward with Caro Schofield looking dangerous, but the final whistle thwarted their efforts and the score finished 0-1, ending Slazengers cup hopes.

The sides meet again in two weeks time in a league fixture.

Report: 24-10-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs. (2) Doncaster Independent

October 24, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 3s had a disappointing loss against bottom of the league Doncaster Independent this weekend.

During the first half Slazengers successfully defended a flurry of penalty corners with some crucial tackles by defender Karen Bates and great saves by goal keeper Gemma Wilson

In the second half, determined to score Slaz gained a short corner. With a well worked routine player of the match Karen Woodhead powered the ball into the back of the net from the outside edge of the D to take Slazengers into the lead.

Doncaster independent fought back and netted 2 goals in the remaining 15 minutes of the game. The final result finished at a gutting 2-1 loss for the Horbury side.

Report: 17-10-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (4) Lindum 3rd’s

October 17, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 3s had an unfortunate loss against Lindum this weekend at home. Slaz started out well with a speedy goal in the first 10 seconds of the match from some skilful playing from Caroline Schofield. Lindum then began to find their feet and slipped away 2 goals in the back of the net.

Despite some hard battles and attacks from Slazengers, the score line remained at 2-1 at half time.

Unfortunately Lindum scored a further two goals, before player of the match Caroline Schofield netted her second. Slazengers then pulled another one back before the final whistle sounded and the result was a 4-3 loss to Slazengers.

Report: 10-10-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs. (8) Sheffield Bankers 2nd’s

October 10, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers ladies 3’s faced tough opposition when they travelled to Sheffield Bankers on Saturday. Slazengers had a good first 20 minutes managing to hold their opponents to 1 goal lead. Sheffield Bankers passed the ball well and at half time Slaz were down 3-0. The 11 strong team were visibly exhausted and haribo were shared. In the second half Slazengers mounted some attacks but we’re pushed back by the very strong Sheffield squad of 16, who constantly had fresh legs on the pitch. The greens were pleased to hear the final whistle with the result being 8 – 0. It could have been worse but for the strong Slazengers defence, player of the match went to goalkeeper Gemma Wilson after some skilful saves.