The summer is blazing away and we’re into August already. That can only mean one thing – the hockey season is only 4 weeks away! We will be fielding 6 mens teams and 4 ladies teams, plus junior squads – a record size for the club. Captains will be in touch to inform you of the squad you’re in.

Here’s what you need to know running up to the season:

Season Dates:

As usual there will be several weeks of friendlies at the beginning of the season. This will vary from team to team, as we look to balance availability of players coming back from summer with the need to get squads out for competition. Friendlies will run for approx 3 weekends before the season starts. Therefore the key dates for the diary are:

• 1st September 2018 – First friendly fixtures
• 22nd September 2018 – First League Fixture

Preseason Training

Preseason training is currently running. It is free, so please make use of the time available!

• Ladies Monday 8-9pm
• Mens Wednesday 8-10pm

Season Training

Season training starts in 4 weeks time. Please ensure you have completed your online registration prior to the season starting. Subs have remained unchanged, so please help the club by paying as soon as you can. Start dates for each session are detailed below:

See you all on the pitch!

PAYMENT

SENIOR MEMBERSHIP FEES

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP FEES

This season, the way we manage junior membership costs is changing. The system we use currently of an up front membership fee, plus training and match fees has become increasingly hard to manage as the section has grown and the number of training sessions increases. Tracking payments from week to week, collecting match fees and managing all the cash for 100 players for 3 different training sessions a week, and 8 different teams is a real headache! We also believe that this system makes costs expensive for the vast majority of players who play and train frequently, as all the small payments add up.

After reviewing costs and consulting with parents, this season we will be replacing all junior training fees, membership fees and tournament fees with a single payment. This greatly simplifies our club administration and means that we can reduce the total cost of membership for all members. It makes costs predictable for you, and us. When we enter England Hockey national competitions (In2Hockey or EHB Cups), or if your son/ daughter plays for an older age group, there are no surprise extra costs.

For juniors playing Saturday senior league hockey, they will still have to pay the £4 match fee. However, we believe that this new membership system helps us maintain our goal of keeping the cost of our sport as low as possible; helping more people play, and offers a substantial saving compared with a regular season of individual payments.

 

We understand it is a big change to previous years, but hope that you see the benefits for everyone in switching to this system. If you have any questions, please get in touch. To help clarify, we have tried to preempt any questions you may have:

Junior Q&A

Q: What would you do for new members starting after the season begins

For new members after Christmas, there will be a pro-rata reduction (i.e. 50% charge). During the season, there will be a 1 month grace period for all new members where the discount rate applies. (i.e. 3 usual weeks of free sessions + 4 weeks at the low rate).

Q: How does this affect juniors playing senior hockey

This only covers junior hockey. If your son/daughter plays for a Saturday senior side, they will still be required to pay £4 match fee for each game they play.

Q: How about the family cap?

The £300 family cap still applies.

Q: Its a lot of money isn’t it?

We’re aware that £80 is a lot of money for anyone. However, we pride our self on keeping hockey costs as low as possible. At this price, we will continue to one of the cheapest junior hockey membership in Yorkshire, and compared with other junior football and other sports, we’re still comparatively cheap!

Q. Its a bit unfair to have a £10 penalty from 1st November onwards?

The hockey club is a large organisation to manage, and coordinating subs accounts for large portion of this. We have to organise teams, league competition and training across a wide range of age groups and it is all completed by volunteers who do it all for free. We simply ask that membership fees are paid as early as possible. This helps with our cashflow and reduces the huge task of club management. Every effort is made to make payment as easy as possible, and as such we believe a £10 charge is not unreasonable if a player has been playing for 8 weeks without payment.

Q: What about 16-18 year olds, or in full time education (FTE)?

There are no Yorkshire Youth Hockey Leagues for Under 18’s, and as such those 16 and older will play Saturday hockey in the senior structure. Those players pay half the full senior cost (£40 membership, £4 match fees).

Q. Can I keep using the old system as I’m not sure my son / daughter will want to keep playing.

Unfortunately not. It has been decided by the committee that we should only manage one system. The new one provides a good saving for all members, and eases management for the club. We provide 3 free sessions to try the sport before asking for money, and a further grace period of 4 weeks at the low rate for new players in season. We believe this is sufficient to be able to decide, and is well in line with all other sports clubs in the county.

Q. £80 is more than I can afford

We do everything we can to keep costs low, to enable as many to play the sport as possible. If the cost represents a financial burden, it is something which can be discussed with a member of the committee in confidence.

This season, we’re changing the way we manage players throughout the entire club. In order to improve the way we manage the club, we are moving from paper based registration to an online system used by England Hockey (Club Buzz)

The system allows us to manage players across men’s, ladies and junior sections through an online portal. The system is password protected, and those with access are are tightly controlled with DBS checks and safeguarding training. Squads will only be visible to the appropriate team manager or captain, such that contact and emergency contact information is readily available. We believe it is the best way to improve how we manage the club and ensure we stay in line with modern legislation on data protection and safeguarding.

It will be a requirement for all players to be registered online this season. It is also mandatory that all Under 18 players are fully registered before they play for the club, as parental consent must be given for transportation and photograph in line with safeguarding guidelines.

You will shortly be receiving an email from “ClubBuzz”. This is the first step to registering with Slazenger HC. Please follow through the link and populate the required information.

In the coming week, you will also be prompted to sign-up for the season. This allows us to fully understand who is playing for the club this season and helps selection of squads.

We appreciate this is a big change, and it is a somewhat new process for us. If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch.

Thanks
Slazenger HC Committee

Saturday Working Party
This Saturday is the first working party of the summer. We need your help to give things a lick of paint ready for the new season. It runs from 10:30am-1:30pm, with BBQ for those who come and help. Let us know you’re coming so we can organise some paint brushes and snacks!

England Hockey on the Big Screen
Afterwards the working party, join us on Saturday afternoon at 2pm to see England take on India in the Ladies Hockey World Cup! It will be live on the brand new 100″ big screen in the clubhouse!

As members of Slazenger Hockey Club, you are hereby invited to attend the 2018 AGM’s

Men’s Section AGM: Tuesday 10^th July

Ladies Section AGM: Tuesday 17^th July

Hockey Club AGM: Thursday 19^th July

The AGM is an important constitutional gathering for the members of Slazenger Hockey Club to hear about the progress of the sections and the Club during the past year. The meeting also provides a forum for members to put forward their ideas for the future of the Club. Don’t stay away, come and have your say!

Slazenger Sports Club 7:30pm

The following positions are up for election. Nominations for positions can be made in advance via emailing clubhouse@slazengerhc.co.uk

Men’s Section AGM (Tuesday 10^th July):

• Men’s Section Chair
• Men’s 1^st Team Captain
• Men’s 2^nd Team Captain
• Men’s 3^rd Team Captain
• Men’s 4^th Team Captain
• Men’s 5^th Team Captain
• Men’s 6^th Team Captain
• Men’s Fixture Secretary

Ladies Section AGM (Tuesday 17^th July):

• Ladies Section Chair
• Ladies 1^st Team Captain
• Ladies 2^nd Team Captain
• Ladies 3^rd Team Captain
• Ladies 4^th Team Captain
• Ladies Fixture Secretary
• Ladies Umpire Coordinator

Hockey Club AGM (Thursday 19^th July):

• Club Chair
• Club Treasurer
• Club Secretary
• Club Welfare & Safeguarding Officer
• Club Web & Communications Officer

Its only 4 days until the Junior End of Season BBQ & Presentation Day!

This is the final reminder for tickets.

I am aware that some people have still not purchased tickets! There are limited numbers remaining which can be purchased from behind the bar in the clubhouse. When they are gone, they are gone. This is limited by the number we have catered for, so please buy any remaining tickets ASAP!

For those who have never been before, Its a chance for the kids to show off their skills to the parents with the Parents vs Kits Tournament. Afterwards there is food and award presentations. It’s always a great day, and a celebration of everything which has been achieved this season. All are welcome; players, parents, friends and family!

For those who have tickets and are coming. Please ensure you arrive for 9:30am, so we can organise teams for the hockey tournament. There will be plenty of sticks for parents who are getting involved, so make yourself known to the organisers, and we will get you ready to play! There will also be showers and changing facilities available after the hockey.

Thanks for your help. see you all on Saturday morning!

Ian Hedges
Junior Section Chairman

This week junior training resumes:

• Monday 8-9pm (U14 Girls & U16 Mixed)
• Tuesday 6-7pm (U14 Boys & U12 Boys)
• Sunday Morning 9:15am – 10:30am (U8, U10 & U12 Girls)

There are final junior tournaments this month and next for various age groups, so please keep an eye out for information from your team manager.

Sunday morning sessions will run until the BBQ (12th May). For other age groups, we may extend some sessions in order to prepare teams for the final trophy playoff games.

Can I please take this opportunity to remind you to get your tickets for the End of Season Presentation Day & BBQ if you have not already, as its only 4 week away!

Finally, U14 and U16 players are welcome to attend the social mixed pay and play hockey sessions which are running on Wednesdays (£3 per week).

With the Commonwealth Games in full swing, its a perfect chance to watch some high level hockey in high definition. Full length matches and highlights can be found on the BBC Commonwealth sports website, and on TV.  Hockey Website Scoop Hockey has also put a useful guide together below of the home nations fixtures, if you’re looking to catch a game.

Other Useful Links: Commonwealth Games Hockey & BBC Hockey Schedule

Easter is almost here, and that means that the 2017-18 hockey season is coming to an end.

Don’t worry though! As usual, Wednesday nights throughout the off-season is here to cater for your hockey needs. If you’re looking to keep your skills sharp, get your weekly dose of fitness, or just catch up mates, Pay and Play is back for 2018.

Pay and play runs between 4th April and 9th May, 8pm  until 10pm.
Play for part of the evening, or all; its up to you. 

Its a perfect opportunity to bring along a friend who’s never played, or someone who is looking to get back to hockey

All are welcome to attend from ages 13 upwards so come along and get involved!

Find out more on our Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/144752239682314

See you all there!