| Chalfont St Peter Hockey Club - An Overview |
| The hockey section
was set-up
in 1968 following the inactivity of a group of cricketers in the Winter. The club
now runs three Men's Saturday teams Two Ladies teams and an extremely
social mixed team on Sundays. The Mens first team play most of their home matches at the water based Cressex Astro Turf in High Wycombe and Newlands Park Chalfont St. Giles. 1999 sees the Second XI playing a whole season on astro (mostly Newland Park) and the third team playing on the Chalfont grass. The First and Second XI play in the Bucks, Berks, Oxon and Middx leagues, with the third team anticipated to be joining a league in the 2000/2001 season. The Ladies first XI play most of their home matches at Cressex and have a dedicated team coach. In 1998/99 there was the first ever full season of a second Ladies team and this has been consolidated with their entry into the league for the 1999/2000 season. In 1997/98 the Ladies first team were champions of Division Four of Trisports League, and came third in Division Three in 1998/99, which was the same league as Amersham, Aylesbury and Gerrards Cross. The mixed team play on the Chalfont grass and at Newland Park depending on the time of year. However, the grass provides for a better opportunity to socialise after the matches. Over the years many memorable matches have been contested at Chalfont Park Sports Club, including an International held in 1981 between England and Australia. Chalfont have also hosted a colts tournament at the club and last year a very successful mixed tournament. This is being repeated this year. Chalfont St. Peter HC has one of the (if not THE) best atmospheres on a Sunday and Saturday afternoon / evening, making it just about the most friendly and social club in the area, despite the prevalence of the artificial pitches. This has been reflected in the new plans for the club house through the lottery application. Hockey Practice is an integral part of the fun, sessions take place at Beaconsfield Astro, which is at Beaconsfield Girls High School. Practice took place from 8 until 9.30 - swiftly followed by the Old Hare in Beaconsfield!! 1999/2000 sees Chalfont restarting its attempts to cater for Juniors in the area. Starting with 11 + age groups, we shall be endeavouring to cater for younger players next year with more trained coaches and Sunday morning sessions. This is an excellent springboard for the colts to develop skills, and take part in the burgeoning youth hockey scene in Buckinghamshire. |