|
|
|
Hockey Chairman's Note – Winter 2005 / 2006
Yet again we find ourselves on the doorstep of another Hockey season and
with the start of our 5th season as a merged Club the future is looking
good. I thought I would take this opportunity to welcome you all once again
and update you on changes for the new season and progress at the Club.
Roles within A&C Hockey Section
The Committee
Despite having a few vacancies on the Committee prior to last season it was
with great relief that we are able to start the season with those positions
filled. Unfortunately after just one year Bob has stepped down as Treasurer,
but I am delighted to say that not only have we now got a new Treasurer, but
all other Committee members have stayed on to help build on the good work
that they did last season.
The Committee this year is made up of:
Chairman - Warren Scott
With fingers in every pie my aim is to make sure that the Club is not only
successful in the coming season, but also is able to develop and grow in the
future, if only to selfishly provide my family with somewhere to play hockey
and socialise in the long distant future. If you have ideas, thoughts or
concerns with the Club and would like to voice them privately please do
contact me to give me the chance to do what I can to change and improve the
way the Club is run, or to pass on any thoughts, comments or praise where
necessary.
Secretary - Sarah Watts
Sarah works tirelessly in many areas of the Club, acting as Hockey Contact
for external bodies to the Club, working to keep the Committee honest to
their actions at meetings and doing all sorts of general duties at Committee
meetings and around the Club. Staying on as Chairman this year had a lot to
do with the support I get from all the Committee, but in particular the
great work that Sarah does.
Ladies’ Playing Rep - Emma Hewitt
Emma is now starting her 3rd season in the role where she aims to help in
all aspects that relate to people playing and enjoying their hockey. It is
not an easy job to be impartial in the selection meeting, keep up to date on
all the issues in the section and keep things running smoothly. Emma is
there to answer questions, help out and generally find ways of making the
section a better one to play in. Always approachable, Emma is a great person
to go to if you have ideas or thoughts on improving any aspect of the
section regarding playing, selection or training.
Men's Playing Rep – Justin Bootland
Having taken up this role on top of Captaincy last year, Justin starts his
2nd season as Men’s Playing Rep with my full support. He takes the role very
seriously and is always alert to problems and issues that are up coming in
the section. Men’s selection is always a cauldron of discussion and Justin
works hard to make sure that the process is correctly followed and fairly
done. For the men he is always looking for ways to help – so do approach him
with any thoughts and comments on the way the section is run.
Junior Playing Rep - Ian Ringham
I am constantly grateful for the efforts that Ian puts into the running of
the Junior section – it is after all those players who will be taking the
club to future levels of excellence. The running of training, matches and
maintaining the high standards of Junior development is never an easy task,
especially when it involves early Sunday mornings!
Treasurer – Geoff Brown
With all that Geoff has done to become involved at CPSA over the last few
years I was very happy when he stepped forward to help as Treasurer. Fully
committed to all that he does I am assured that the Club books are in safe
hands. Along with keeping the Club running financially, collecting and
banking money, paying for all the costs, Geoff will be looking for new ways
to improve and simplify the process around the accounting in the section.
General Member 1 - Jo Peters
Again Jo has taken on the mantle of General member, which I think at times
falls miles short of the role that Jo does at the Club. At Committee level
she provides a great deal of knowledge and reason to all areas. With her
involvement with Pitch Booking, Ladies Fixtures and the great success of the
Umpires course we usually know that Jo will go to great lengths to make
things happen.
General Member 2 - Peter Colwill
Peter is the auditor of the Committee, keeping us straight and true to the
ideals that we have followed in the past, and those that we should follow in
the future. He has a great deal of knowledge of the Club and sections, and
cares a lot about the correct process and protocol for the way the Committee
carries out its roles.
Other Roles
Alongside of all those Committee members there are various roles that I
should draw your attention to, people that over the coming season will be
working behind the scenes to make things happen.
Umpire Co-ordinator – Adam Laubser
With so many slots to fill and so many differing requirements to meet this
is clearly not the easiest job in the world to do. With Adam volunteering to
take on parts of the role and hopefully build it throughout this season, I
am hopeful that we can by the start of next season have a much better and
clearer process in place for assigning and monitoring the umpires.
Men’s Fixtures - Nick Wilson
Nick has taken on this massive task once again for the 5 men’s league teams.
We have yet to integrate his website into our own site, but many people find
this an invaluable source of information over the year. If you are contacted
by anyone wanting a fixture with us, friendly or otherwise - let Nick know.
Teas Co-ordinator - Helen Kitto
Helen keeps the Captains in check and makes sure that all the teas
requirements for the section are passed on to the Catering company – this is
no small task and there is a certain strange twinkle in Helens eye that
suggests that getting those orders in on time is a wise idea if you are a
Captain. Over the season, should you have special dietary requirements, or
know that you will/won't be back for the home teas of a week please make
sure that your Captain has passed this information back to Helen the week
before.
Website & Forum Editor - Andy Watts
If you haven’t been on the Website then you have missed out – there is a
wealth of information that Andy puts up there, and is always looking to add
more and improve the way that things are. If you have content, photos or
thoughts do let him know or post your ideas onto the thriving forum that is
linked on the website.
Newsletter Copier - Neil Turner
Neil puts out the weekly newsletter for the Club each week – plenty of
gossip and information, fixtures, results, teams, match reports, pictures,
stats and social information. All this is provided to Neil by Club members
and he then cuts it into a format for the letter. If you have any desire to
put information into the letter then just write a report and send it to
Neil.
Kit Coordinator - Alex Bagehot
Alex has already had one great success with the new away kit which nearly
all Club members use. Working with the suppliers is never easy, but Alex is
doing a sound job of sourcing kit. This year he is looking at the possible
options for a new home kit which should be available in the next few weeks.
On top of this we hope to look into other kit options over the next season.
Men’s Coach and General Club Coach - Steve Jack
It is a real credit to Steve that so many people chose to train at the Club.
His sessions are interesting, well run and give everyone a chance to get
involved and improve. The success of the Ladies section is a great credit to
Steve and David (below) who work so hard to make sure that everyone is given
the opportunity to improve over the season. This season Steve will again be
looking to improve on the results in the Men’s section as well, so that they
can follow the success of the Ladies last year.
Ladies Coach - David Peters
David continues to strive to produce the best Ladies section possible and
with both the first and second XI having outstanding seasons last year it is
likely to be a tougher season again, but one that we can fully expect to see
David taking on with relish.
Men’s Club Captain – David Crossman
David finished his first season as Men’s First XI Captain knowing that the
future was looking up for them. He has taken on the responsibility with
vigour and was by the narrowest margin that his team missed out on promotion
last season and a place in the Vase final. Building on several years of
development of the team, and now working closely with Steve Jack there is
every hope that David’s team will set the example for the Men’s section to
follow
Ladies’ Club Captain – Caroline Coates
Leading from the front is always the best way and Caroline’s Ladies First XI
set an exemplary record last season for the section to match. Unbeaten in
their league and with an excellent Cup run the ladies first XI is an example
that any would be proud to follow. The team is a good mix of youth and
experience, with Caroline working hard on and off the pitch to set the pace.
Training
Following the success of training last year we again are setting up the
session in the same way, with Monday nights for the Club and Tuesdays for
the first two squads. It is hoped that this season more will be done to
encourage players on the fringes of squads to attend alternate sessions to
get them better exposed to the style and pace of the other teams. If you
have any thoughts or ideas to improve the training then please contact David
Peters, Steve Jack or me.
Kit
Alex has spent the summer working with the Committee to work out what kit
the Club will have for the new season. Due to changes in the availability of
the current home kit it has been decided to change the style of this kit.
Following a long debate on the forum, and having canvassed many of the
players the new kit chosen is to match the current away kit, but with a blue
body and red stripe on each side. Please contact Alex should you want to
order a new kit. The new kit is ideal as it can be worn alongside those
wearing the current kit, so only those wanting a new shirt need order one.
Availability
Last season was once again a difficult year for the men’s section with
availability and with the Ladies teams all gaining promotion this year it
will be essential for both sections to get consistency. I really hope that
this year Club members will not only do as much as possible to make
themselves available regularly but also to do all they can to give the
Captains a lot of notice of their availability in the coming weeks, as this
in itself can make selection a lot easier.
Match Fees
Match fees have remained at £10 for the coming season for adults and £5 as
the usual reduced rate. There is a drive to collect this money by the
Captains up front before the match, so please make every effort to bring the
right money to the game with you and to hand it in BEFORE the match.
Selection
We are always trying to improve the selection process and to make sure that
it is as fair and well measured as possible. This is a difficult process and
should you have any thoughts on how it is run or could be then please do
approach your playing representative and let them know.
New Members
Please contact the playing representative, myself and Andy Watts with any
information that could lead to a new member joining the club
Social
There is a drive underway to create “mini-socials” on Saturday evenings at
the Clubhouse. These do not have to be big “ticket”, “all night” events, but
small ideas to entertain people as they stay at the Club later after their
matches. Ideas like the darts night or a cards evening are all welcome. If
you fancy getting involved or running one let us know so that we can arrange
an evening for you to put a small event on.
Mixed Tournament
Geoff is working with Woody to put on another great tournament – Sunday 18th
September. There will be a social the night before so do come on down for a
few quiet drinks and some fun on the Saturday night and then the next day.
This is one of the best events that we put on and everyone has a great time
– we even raised a fair amount of money for the Club last year.
Clubhouse
Please do use the facilities at the Club before and after your matches – it
is a great place to get everyone together so do try to go in when you meet
if going away and then come back for a quiet drink and chat – the bar is run
by an external firm so there is someone there to serve and keep your glass
topped up at all times!
Finally I hope you will all join me in wishing the best of luck to the
Ladies 5s who enter the league for the first time. I hope that they can
follow the successes that all of our other teams have had over the last 4
years! There is every promise that this year will be another big one for the
Club and I truly hope that you enjoy being a part of the successes as we
head for the 2005/2006 season.
All the best,
Warren Scott
A&C Hockey Chairman and Director of Hockey
|
|
