The start of the 2009-2010 hockey season is just around the corner so time for the annual email to let you know what is happening and when at Stockport Hockey Club........
Training re-commences at Werneth School on Thursday
3rd September, 2009 and we encourage as many players as possible to
attend training this season in particular the first few sessions as we finalise
team selection and sort teams out for the first couple of matches we have
arranged. For the first week only we have booked the pitch just for senior
hockey from 6pm to 8.15pm so we can have a "clear the cobwebs" open training
session starting with fitness, then skills finishing with games. This will also
give us time to chat to players about team selection and give out match details,
useful contacts etc for the first few weeks.
Weekly training from the 10th September onwards will then be 7-8.15pm for
seniors as our juniors will start back on the 10th September, 2009.
Training Reminder .... Everyone must turn up at 6.45pm ready to warm up and commence training on time at 7pm. Also, please come prepared to train – that means listening to instructions, joining in and putting 100% into getting fitter, learning/developing core skills and set moves. iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones etc will not be tolerated during training, if you bring these with you then do so at your own risk but they must be switched off and left in your bag and not used during the training session.
Our Registration fees continue to be all inclusive which means training fees are included in your registration fee of £60. Our inclusive fees are to encourage everyone to come to training but more importantly to ensure we cover our costs of providing regular training (pitch hire, coach etc). You will find our registration fee very cheap compared to other clubs but it does mean that we cannot offer any reduction in your registration fee if you cannot attend training.
Given the high volume of payments received, it helps the treasurer and captains considerably if payment is put in an envelope with your name clearly written on it and if paying by cheque make it payable to Stockport Hockey Club with your name clearly written on the back.
We do offer a reduced rate of £50 for Leisure Key Holders (low income families) and for students who are in full time further education or higher education. Family/Sibling discounts may also be available.
Weekly Match fees will be:- £3.50 per match or £2.50 for Leisure Key Card Holders and students who are in full time further or higher education.
Every player has to pay their full Registration fees by Saturday 10th October 2009 but if this is a problem please do not hesitate to let your team captain know so that some alternative arrangement can be made – we are a club who strive to provide sport to all and do appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay the whole amount at once, please ask! Non payment by the due date will incur a fine which will be imposed this season so please speak to your captain before the end of September if payment by the due date is going to be a problem!
Matches are played mainly on Saturday’s but there are some matches and/or tournaments in the Manchester league that are played on a Sunday and times will vary each week, depending on which team you are playing for. It is the responsibility of each player i.e. YOU to make sure your captain knows if you are available and that you know the details of the match. It would help the captains significantly if you listened when they give out the match details which normally will be at the end of the previous weeks match or at training. Hence, if you miss any of these you must check the website or last resort telephone your captain to find out. If each player telephones their captain that is one telephone call each, if the captain has to telephone the players that can result in over 20 telephone calls for them. This is an on-going problem that players do not keep in contact with their captain which makes the captain’s job that much harder, please ensure you telephone and let them know whether you are available to play or not each week.
In addition to information your captain provides you will be issued with a
club handbook once you have paid your registration fees, the match information
detailed is correct as the handbook goes to print in August but things can
change. Our website is regularly updated and it is worth checking this
weekly for match and other information such as match reports
www.stockporthockey.co.uk or
www.fixtureslive.co.uk is another
useful site for match times and directions to pitch information.
We also wish to re-enforce a few ‘ground rules’ again this season, many of which
most of you adhere to anyway, but here goes:-
Important Dates for your Diary......
3rd September, 2009 - Senior Training Commences 6-8.15pm and
continues throughout the season every Thursday evening.
5th September, 2009 - Pre-season friendlies arranged - 10.30am
@ Werneth SHC 5s v Dids Northern 6s; 12.45pm @ Altrincham Grammar School for
Boys SHC 1s/2s v Bowden; 2.15pm 3s/4s v Bowden - these matches replace the start
of the season tournament and will help to finalise teams ..... You will be
contacted individually or at the first training session about which match we
would like you to play in.
10th September, 2009 - Junior Training Commences 6-7pm at
Werneth for boys and girls aged from 7 years old upwards and Senior Training
moves to its regular slot of 7-8.15pm.
12th September, 2009 - SHC 4s v Newton - time to be confirmed
13th September, 2009 - SHC 5s v Dids Northern 5s; SHC 3s v
Oldham 2s and SHC 1s v Urmston - times to be confirmed
Due to new players joining the Club this season and as we have gained more
information regarding players and positions during last season we are reviewing
teams and there may be a bit of shuffling around of players before we can
finalise squads. That said we will still require some flexibility of
players to strengthen sides when needed depending on our opposition and when
teams are short. Team captains have been selected, with a vacancy on the
3rd team as Helen Elcock has asked to step down given her other commitments, so
if anyone is willing to be considered please let me know. Vice captains
are being "sounded out" but again a willing volunteer is always better so if you
fancy helping out with being a vice captain, again let me know.
Captains
1st Team - Angela Fuggle/Lucy Cook;
2nd Team - Josie Moore;
3rd Team - Vacant;
4th Team - Andrea Boulton;
5th Team - Hilary Clamp
More information on each team and weekly selection will be detailed within the first couple of weeks in September, also remember to keep looking for updates (kept as up to date as best as Helen Elcock and myself can!) on our website www.stockporthockey.co.uk and on Facebook (Join our Group - Stockport Hockey Club).
Finally, sorry for the sequel to Gone with the Wind and I hope that everyone again has an enjoyable season playing hockey with Stockport Hockey Club who have just gained England Hockey ClubsFirst Accreditation in recognition of its excellent work in providing hockey for all :-)
See you on the 3rd September when registration forms will be available so we
can ensure we have up to date details for you.
Kind regards.
Andrea Boulton
Club Development Officer
PS Good luck to all our players who are awaiting A level or GCSE results -
fingers crossed for you all!
PPS - Stockport Hockey Club have entered the England Hockey Vase competition for
our 1st/2nd team and also the England Hockey Masters Cup for Over 35s this
season - the draw takes place this week!
PPPS - We are in need of a couple more regular goalkeepers if you know of anyone
that would be interested please let me know.
PPPPS - For those of you who are not on Facebook Laura Murphy has invited
everyone to her 21st Birthday party at St Peters Social Club, Hazel Grove on
Saturday 12th September, 2009 at 7.30pm until late - everyone welcome but RSVP
stockportbabe1@hotmail.com