Chairman's Note

As the Winter Season fast approaches I thought it time to welcome you all back to the club and give you an update on the changes and progress being made behind the scenes for A&C Hockey.

Roles within A&C Hockey Section

As the new Chairman it is my pleasure to introduce some new and "old" faces to the line up of those helping to make it possible for all of you to play hockey each week - over the coming weeks I hope to give more detail on each role and how it affects you, as well as details of other roles that are not listed here, but continue to work for the club, as well as details of roles that are currently vacant, but for now:

The Committee this year currently has 7 members as below:

Chairman - Warren Scott
Looking after the ongoing running of the section and facilitating the work of all those that need help in their positions.

Secretary - Sarah Watts
Sarah is actively involved in many areas of the Club, too many to mention here, and as Secretary will be taking on yet more responsibilities of being Hockey Contact for external bodies to the Club, general duties at Committee meeting and generally organizing and keeping meetings in check.

Womens Playing Rep - Emma Hewitt
After a successful first year in 03/04 Emma is going to continue in the role to help develop and encourage the Women's sections. Working to create a fair and even selection, keeping players up to date, and generally being available to listen and help players where possible to enjoy the sport at the Club. Should you have any concerns, problems, thoughts or positive feedback on the way the Women's section runs within the club, Emma is a good person to pass these on to. Working with the Ladies Captains and Coaches to create a better club and section.?

Men's Playing Rep - As yet unfilled
This is an important part of the committee and I can assure you ( having done the role myself ) is a truly rewarding role. Working with the Men's Captains, and with the Ladies Playing rep to produce a good environment to play in for the men. Issue such as selection policy, training, coaching and any area that can benefit the playing of Hockey at A&C can all fall in the remit. This is a job that can be as large or small as you feel it should be - please let me know if you would be interested

Junior Playing Rep - Ian Ringham
The future of the Club has to stand with those coming through to eventually replace all of us, and the task of running this has passed from Sarah Watts to Ian. The running of training, matches and maintaining the high standards of Junior development will now moved on to Ian.

Treasurer - Tim Brooker ( TBC )
Tim has taken over the role of Treasurer after Drew stepped down last month. Drew has done a wonderful job of keeping the Finances of the section under Check over many years, and has seen much change and improvement in the process. For this we thank him, and can be sure that Tim will revel in the chance to continue this good work. Along with collecting and banking fees, Tim will be working to produce accounts and liaising with the CPSA Board Finance Committee.

General Member 1 - Jo Peters
Without Jo I am not quite sure that the club would be running still. Along with countless tasks including pitch Scheduling, women's fixtures etc. Jo also sits on the committee and provides invaluable knowledge and reason to all areas. Having been involved in the past in Teas, pitch booking, Umpiring and courses we look to Jo to know where, when, why, who and how.

General Member 2 - Peter Colwill
I have promised myself that I will read and digest the constitution and learn all the rules and regulations. In the meantime Peter keeps us all in check with thought and deliberation on all matters that relate to History and change. A wealth of knowledge is always welcome in discussions that the Committee has in determining the future of the Section.

But it is not just the Committee that will be working hard to make the section a better place for us all, and there are a few new people that I would like to introduce;

Umpire Co-ordinator - Mark Yeomans
Mark has come on board to attempt to organise the sections Umpiring requirements, and to help improve the standards and process of selection of Umpires. If you have any queries or questions about how to become an umpire, or how to find one please contact Mark. Already he is doing a great job of getting the Umpires together, and I see this as a key role in the future progress of our section

Fixtures - Men- Nick Wilson
For the second year Nick has taken on this intensive task, and has already improved the process over the summer, producing a fixtures Website listing all teams and forthcoming matches. This should be integrated into the ongoing processes and hopefully our own Website over the next season. If you are contacted by anyone wanting a fixture with us, friendly or otherwise - please let Nick know.

Teas Co-ordinator - Helen Kitto
Helen has taken on the role for the new season and will be liaising with Captains and Taylormade to make sure that teas are provided correctly for each team every week. If 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

Newsletter Editor - Neil Turner

Kit Coordinator - Alex Bagehot

Ladies Coaches - David Peters, Celia Echtigoyen
Mens Coach - Steve Jacks

New Captains:

Unfilled Roles:
Please help to fill some of these crucial roles - many of them can be as simple or involved as you would like to make them!

Other Details:

Teas:

Training:
We are currently looking at ways to enhance the training at A&C to best use the available resources that do so much to improve performance and enjoyment on a weekly basis. If you have any thoughts or ideas then please contact David Peter, Steve Jacks or myself

Availability:
Last season we were unfortunate to lose several players during the season and as a consequence lost the men's 6th team. We will be looking to re-introduce this team on a friendly basis, to make sure that everyone that wants a match each weekend can get one. The roles of the Captains at times appears to be a battle to get players out, and I would ask all of you, in both sections, to look as far into the coming weeks as possible to determine your availability and to let the Captains know on which weeks you will and won't be able to play. This allows us to pick more consistent teams, to plan selection and matches better, and can only help to improve the ongoing processes in place for the sections. We are lucky that David Peters currently collates this information for the ladies, and I would thank all those that contribute to help in any way with this. This year we will attempt to get availability for the men as far in advance for matches as possible

Selection:

New Members:
Please contact the playing rep, myself and Andy Watts with any information that could lead to a new member joining the club

Social:

Open Day: Saturday September 4th 2004

Mixed Tournament:

Clubhouse:
Over the summer several work parties have cleaned and painted the Clubhouse. Please make the most of the Clubhouse and come to enjoy the atmosphere! I would encourage you all to make the effort to get down after your games, and to have a few friendly drinks with your team and the other teams about ,.....

Finally, Good luck for the coming season, please do get in touch if you have any questions, though mail, telephone or the forum, or just come down to the bar to enjoy the hospitality of the bar and club !

All the best,

Warren Scott
A&C Hockey Chairman