LET’S PLAY HOCKEY

THEY’VE DONE IT AGAIN! Hockey Men’s 1st X1 Team are National Champions for the second year running

16 THE WIMBLEDON CLUB / ANNUAL REVIEW / 2016 LET’S PLAY HOCKEY

TWC HOCKEY by BEN MARSDEN DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY

WITH HOCKEY MEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WIN IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE TO HAVE CRISTA CULLEN, AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION, JOIN THE 1ST TEAM TO HELP OUR LADIES ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS THIS SEASON.

ollowing the ladies winning The ladies’ 1st team, coached by Brilliant effort by all. They pick up their Gold in the Rio Olympic Ben Marsden and Mikey Hoare have indoor sticks again next November. games, it’s no surprise that the next crop of international stars. In the body of the men’s section the Hockey participation has Nikki Lloyd who captains the team, is men’s 2nd team have had a transitional Fincreased this season. We are very also a Scottish international. Nikki and year but welcome new coach Gareth proud to have had 6 Wimbledon Mairi Drummond are currently busy Hall. Gareth has amassed 123 caps for players representing Great Britain preparing for World League 2. Ladies Scotland and we’re pleased to welcome in 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Goal keeper Rose Thomas and him to SW19. The second team are Crista Cullen, who joined the central midfielder Suzy Petty captained by CJ Cowan and has included club this season, became have both been offered a number of past 1st team players and Olympic Champion when contracts with Great Brit- home grown juniors from the club. the ladies team won the ain hockey and will join the The men’s 3rd team are coached Gold in Rio. Crista, who lives centralised program training this year by Phil Ball and captained in Roehampton is looking towards The Olympic Games by ex Portsmouth University alumni forward to helping our ladies’ in Tokyo 2020. James Caulfield. The 3s are currently st 1 team achieve their goals this season, he men’s 1st team won the finding themselves in a difficult league th inspire the next generation of players National Championship for and are currently 5 . A positive and share her vast experience with the second year running performance in the second half of all at the club. So far so good for andT are representing England again in the season could see the team finish the ladies as they sit at the top of the 2017 European Hockey League. in the top 3. The men’s 4s are joint the Conference East League. One For all details visit: http://ehlhockey.nl top of the London League Div 4. New team from this league enters a play The men have just won the Premier captain Chris Hendon (who also came off with other conference winners League and we congratulate them. from Portsmouth University) and and the winner of this play off will The team is captained by Johnny Kinder coach Peter Small have revolutionized be promoted to the Premier League. and coached by and Ben this team and are enjoying the fruits th Congratulations to WHC Men’s Marsden. Many of the squad played of their labour. The men’s 5 team, players and coaches , Henry indoor throughout the winter break. coached by Ben Roe have enjoyed Weir, James Bailey and Mikey Hoare The indoor side is coached by Phil Ball a sociable start to the season, with for representing Great Britain last and managed by Ed Cole. Wimbledon many home grown juniors starting summer in the Rio Olympic Games. are currently in the Premier Division their senior careers in the side. We are immensely proud of the for indoor following back to back The Masters are on a mission to commitment and effort made by these promotions over the last two seasons. be the best in the land – not just players to achieve the highest status This season the lads narrowly missed performance, but number of players on their sport. out on the top 4th spot finishing th5 . and overall experience. u PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES PHOTO: WWW.TWCSPORT.CO.UK/HOCKEY 17 LET’S PLAY HOCKEY

“ WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE HAD SIX PLAYERS REPRESENTING GREAT BRITAIN IN 2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES. ”

There will be challenges along the very nearly scoring a goal in his last ground was sold at Chiswick we have way and yes, we have encountered match, outstanding achievement! had various other temporary homes a few already! Call it what you want – Corinthian prior to moving to Wimbledon – But let’s look at the positives – the spirit, commitment to the cause, available British Airways at Northolt, Southern only London League side putting out at all costs – but we need more of this Railway at Raynes Park, the Maori 2 teams in the O40s league each attitude to really take the Masters to Club at Worcester Park and NPL at and every week and still no scratches, the next level. Teddington. The transfer to Wimbledon a truly commendable achievement. Special thanks in this regard for was facilitated by Chris Baker, who at For this, deep thanks to the Fixtures all who have doubled up – Ed Cole, the time was captaining a Wimbledon Live prowess of Greg Porter and never Simon Close, Johnny Hobbs, Howard grass based team and pitch sharing say die military attitude of Richard Slatter, Aram Simonian – and the was possible. Brown – particularly the latter, once inimitable Roddy Cameron for always It has always been a one team club again making a peerless contribution turning out both to play and umpire, which has avoided leagues in order to the Masters story. with a degree of calmness denied to be able to give anybody a game Under Brett Simpson’s inspiring to most! regardless of age and standard. leadership, the Masters 1s are seriously ife gets in the way for us all, We also have a strong touring ethos competitive in Division1, following up but let’s make a few sacrifices in the UK and on the continent. a promotion last season with a tilt at to get numbers out each Many of the opposing teams we rd the top, currently sitting in 3 place week without the hassle play we have been playing for over with a game in hand. Land chasing; remember, the medical 20 years and it is great to meet up Brilliant performance to date, more advice is resoundingly clear – hockey, with old friends each year. to follow, with some serious talent the playing of it, the camaraderie, the It is now predominantly a vets team (Kiwi, Stella) to call on in addition to banter and yes, even the alcohol, is with ages ranging from early 20s to the evergreen Ben Marsden… incontrovertibly GOOD FOR YOUR early 70s – with an octogenarian David The Masters 2s have been less HEALTH! Let’s drink to that! March having just hung up his stick. successful in terms of basic score-lines, Wimbledonians started life in the but as we all know, sport is so much 1950s as the hockey team at Cherry s the bottom team at more than the result – whilst it’s Blossom Boot Polish in Chiswick. Wimbledon with no age not been the best season so far in It was called Masonian Hockey Team restrictions we can offer that respect. as the Sports Club was named after aA game to anybody! Our squad has Meanwhile, the Wimbledonians Sir Dan Mason, one of the Directors recently been bolstered by some of under Mike Causer’s tutelage have of Reckitt and Colman. the legends from the Vintage Masters continued to pursue a vintage Two former employees from the squad. We try to play most home grass-based strategy at home, with 1970s are still involved with the team games still on grass but most of our younger spectators looking on from the – Phil Kemball, now 70 and still the oppositions in Kent, Surrey and the bar in wonderment at this ancient sport top scorer most years, and Mike Causer Thames Valley now are based on astro. and an array of special skills sadly no whose hips have let him down so he We generally win more games than longer on display in the modern game. has continued to be the organiser we lose which makes for enjoyable David March made a graceful exit and fixture secretary for the team. close encounters and the facilities at from the playing arena in November – Originally a grass based team, as Wimbledon are always appreciated miraculously, still playing in his 80s and with all others of that era, once the by our oppositions. u

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Hockey Men’s 1st X1 Team won the National Championships for the second year running

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LADIES Following promotion last season, the Ladies’ 1As are performing well in their new league. Coach Matt Riches and captain Natasha Harburn have seen a considerable push down from the Ladies’ 1st team. The new look side has now found their feet and are 4th in South Div 1, just 7 points off the top. The Ladies’ 2s are also performing well having also been promoted last season. Currently the Ladies’ 2s only have five of last year’s squad – with the large number of ladies joining the club Small, Vicky Stutt, Anna Tebble, Lucy in which clubs can offer Hockey for the team have had an influx of new Seagar, Sophie Garratt, Olivia Whiteford all abilities. It is there to reintroduce/ players which has in turn improved and Sophie Glaas. introduce adults back into the game. their performance so far this season. At Wimbledon Hockey Club we have The Dev team, captained and BACK TO HOCKEY numerous Back to Hockey members managed by ex 1st team players Georgina Back to Hockey continues to play who have now progressed on to play Headley and Jo Close, supported by a key role in reaching out to the local for the senior league teams as they Mary Greenham are very impressed community and encouraging players continue their journey Back to Hockey. with the way the new juniors have of all ages and abilities to get “Back to started their playing career – an Hockey”. Huge thanks to Julie Quester, JUNIORS enthusiastic bunch this year! The ladies’ Jo Close and Tina Dullaghan for their For the first time the EHL are running Dev team is setting the standard by continued efforts in this successful a junior competition this season. introducing the numbers of home area of the club. It is for the BU14 age group and will grown juniors into senior hockey. ‘Very glad that there are such include just 6 teams - one from each Keep up the good work ladies! programmes as Back To Hockey; this top 6 nation from this year’s EHL who The Ladies’ 4s is being excellently enabled me to get back into things and are: Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, captained by ex junior player Katinka move onto senior hockey again. As an Spain, England and France. Ronberg. Still only 18 herself, Katinka ex Wales player and U18 Nationals Wimbledon’s Boys entered the is doing a fantastic job of overseeing Champion it feels good to compete competition and have won their way the teams success. at a high level again and meet lots of to represent England! In an exciting Welcome back players who played brilliant people at Wimbledon HC’. match that took place at KCS our boys in our junior section juniors: Caroline “Back to Hockey” is indeed a method won by a magnificent margin of 8 – 0

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TWC Sunday morning hockey coaching at KCS

U10s after winning the Tedding- ton HC Christmas Tournament (ABOVE); Wimbledonians (LEFT)

against Holcombe. Congratulations to e are delighted to enable this success across the board. the boys, their manager and coaches: announce that 27 of This season we have taken the step Ben Mangat, Sam Parkes, Alessio Di our juniors have been to bring in 6 inspirational performance Bon, Jake Crumby, Rob Dreyer, Josh selected to attend the coaches to oversee large sections Moran, Charles Bowen-Rayner, Joe WJunior Performance Centres as part of the junior section. Each coach is Roberts, Henry Cook, Benjy Aram, of the England Hockey Single System. running a section of the juniors with Wieger Dop, Jacob Barker, Jack Waller The following home grown players responsibility for player performance and Finlay Dennis. have been selected to represent and inclusive participation. These The boys now go to Eindhoven to England at various age group levels: coaches, many of whom are current play in the competition over the Easter Josh Gravestock and George Waller – international players, are supported weekend: Sunday 16th & Monday 17th England U16, Lynn Vanderstichele and by voluntary administrators, paid April 2017, which is of course where Catherine Ledesma – England U18. coaches, managers, umpires and office our Men’s 1s will be, so the boys will Congratulations to all the juniors who based administrators. u also be able to see top class hockey have achieved these levels. Credit and and support our men’s team in their thanks must go to the inspiring coaches EHL campaign. and volunteers who have helped to

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FOR THE FIRST TIME THE EHL ARE “RUNNING A JUNIOR COMPETITION. WIMBLEDON’S BOYS ENTERED AND HAVE WON THEIR WAY TO REPRESENT ENGLAND! ”

U10 team after winning the Surrey Cup

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP Spencer (2-0) and Canterbury (1-0) SOCIAL MEDIA: We currently have 630 junior hockey in the group stage, they beat Surbiton @WIMBLEDONHC members - 89 in the U5-U8 age group 1-0 in the semi final. Well done to WIMBLEDONHC and 541 in the U9-U16 and still growing. all the players, coaches, managers, For these we now have 24 teams umpires and administrators for which is an increase of 7 on last season. supporting all our age groups. We have a team of 81 regular SPONSORSHIPS coaches who deliver hockey after school, weekday evenings for Academy We are extremely grateful to our sessions, Friday Night Hockey and long term Sponsors: Savanna, STX, Sundays, not forgetting the umpires Hall School Wimbledon and Zipcar, required in addition to this. who have supported the Hockey section. We currently hire 3 pitches but We are lucky to have such hands on with expected growth next season we Sponsors, who not only get involved will require a 4th pitch to accommodate with club life on a day to day basis but the increase in numbers. help us financially. Their funding allows Although the demand for girls us to employ part time physiotherapists hockey has always been high our boys’ for our elite squads, support us with long squads grow continuously and we now distance away travel and accommodation have significantly more boys playing costs at European and domestic play hockey than ever before. offs, to name a few. The U10s boys won gold at the Here’s to a successful and healthy Teddington tournament beating 2017 to all. Guildford in a shoot out after a scoreless If you are interested in more detail final and after outplaying them in normal about the hockey section, you can find and extra time. After victories over us at: www.twcsport.co.uk/hockey ■

TWC HOCKEY is proudly sponsored by:

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