Wimbledon Hockey Club Newsletter May 2014
The season is over but there’s still so much going on! News of the Blitz party, the end of season awards for juniors and seniors alike, summer hockey opportunities, refurbishments at the Club and much more in this month’s newsletter.
We start with the Awards …
Men’s and Ladies Players of the Year
Ladies 1s – Harriet Naismith Men’s 3rd Team - Jim Sayer Harriet joined the club 2 years ago and this season Undoubtedly our most consistent player of the has worked tirelessly in the midfield. Her super season, who every weekend left everything on the fitness saw her complete the London Marathon in a field in terms of energy that belied his fantastic 3 hours 45mins. She also coached and years. Always one of the first to pick the team up captained the indoor team who narrowly missed after a bad result his boundless optimism and out on promotion at Christmas. Harriet’s commitment to training set a great example for the commitment to Wimbledon HC also sees her at the rest of the squad. astro in a Sunday morning leading the girls U16s age group this year Ladies 2s – Squeeze Over the years Squeeze has worked tirelessly for Men’s 1’s – Joint award: Johnny Kinder and the club, captaining the 1s and 1as. This season Phil Roper the 2s were the benefactors of her wisdom and Johnny Kinder: had a very good season in the hockey on and off the pitch. Controlling the forward line scoring and assisting many crucial midfield and never (ever) giving up, she has lead goals. by example in this team. Her team have loved her Johnny is spending the summer playing in Australia hockey and also her captaincy. where he hopes to continue to improve his play to impact on the 2014/15 season with Wimbledon. Men’s 4th team - Zoso Davies and Ash Toy Phil Roper: enjoyed his first season at the club Zoso: Played every game, rarely missed training managing to balance his international playing (with us or other teams). Attended any/all social career and club hockey. Phil made a valuable events. Always kept us in the contest. Gave us a contribution in midfield, showing great skill and solid PC corner defence routine (complete with fitness. We wish Phil luck in his pursuit of senior PDF diagrams). Bought a Go-Pro and put our international hockey. games on YouTube! Kept on wearing a Hampstead & Westminster top to each game, nd Men’s 2 team - Tom Irons despite constant ridicule. Most committed both on the field, on the training Ash: 3s loss was the 4s gain in the January pitch and in the pub. Better looking and less wrinkly transfer window. Regular and consistent than Kiwi. attendance at training. Switched from the forward
line into the midfield, provided pace and fitness. Ladies 1As – Linds Morrison Constant attacking threat on the right, defended Lindsey is totally committed to the Wimbledon HC well and occasionally found himself at right half. cause. She has fitness and speed in bucket loads Was 4th in line to strike at short corners. 3rd best and always puts everything she has into training beard at the club and matches. Her forward runs and attacking play In all seriousness, both had a huge influence on have not only given her opportunities to score our season and it's fitting that they're recognised goals, but she creates for others too. Away from equally as the players who stood out for WHC 4s. the pitch she is a master social organizer!
1 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
Ladies 2as – Sue Clay ‘The Rock’ Ladies 4s – Tash Lawless Sue is a long-standing member of the ladies From a thriving junior section the ladies were able section, quietly gets on with her job in the defence to create a new team this season to accommodate of the 2as. Never panicking and always playing the those girls no longer eligible to play colts. Playing right ball and making the tackle at the right time. along side these girls are those mums and players Her consistency, reliability and ability to read the returning or those new to hockey. Under the game have been a large part of the success of the enthusiastic eye of Clare Burrell (mum of captain 2as over the past 2 years. Rachel) the 4's have successfully completed a season with a promotion in the bag. The girls Men’s 5th Team - Peter Lee should be praised for their approach to the new Some say his original Latin name is Calpe, and world of ladies hockey and the competitive spirit that he is 426 m (1,398 ft) high and the property of they showed on the field. the United Kingdom. All we know is, in defence, he was the 5s rock of Gibraltar. Tash has come from our junior section, through the dev team and into the ladies 4s. She was also part Ladies Dev Team – Gaia Mc Bride of our U18 team who won a silver medal in Gaia has steadied the defensive ship in the dev National Plate Final. Any team member of Tash’s team this year, organizing and encouraging the will tell you what a great team player she is. She many different juniors who have played for the has moved up the field this season from a defender team during the season. She reads the game well to a midfielder and has flourished there. She and makes crucial tackles. The adults’ role in the leaves school this year but we hope to see her dev team is different and she has provided back in Wimbledon Colours in the future. encouragement and support for the juniors around her. Gaia was a junior player at Wimbledon and it Men’s Masonians - Colin Campbell is great to see her showing the next generation of Colin has really helped the old Masonian HC grass Wimbledon Players the way. squad integrate into WHC. He was one of three WHC Vintage masters who came on the Men’s 6th team - Bobby Sharp Masonian HC tour to Edinburgh last September Bobby has stood up as my vice skipper given the and Colin, as he is in the dressing room and in the 6s put own keeper and brings our average height bar, was the life and soul of the party. During this above 5 10 and he's not a bad keeper. past season he has played through injury and has put the pads on when our regular goalie Justin has Ladies 3s – CJ (Christine Johnstone) not been available. He also volunteered to Captain fantastic – 4 years ago she convinced her manage the side for a spell of six weeks during the team it was the right thing for the club to give up season and once he handed back to me we started their league place for the development team. An to win again! amazingly selfless thing to do as her team had to start all over again at the bottom of the leagues. Club Awards: However, they have had 3 years of promotion and CJ continues to give 100% for everyone. This HY-TEN Men’s 1s Man of Steel Trophy – year, she was even kind enough to provide a coach Richard Alexander for the 3s. Master Stick – Johnny Hobbs Men’s Masters 1’s - Paul Dixon Tremendous work rate, selfless teammate and first Most Promising Junior, The Shaw Award. - name on the team sheet. Harvey Dennis
Men’s Over 50’s Masters – Chris Long Creed Jug – John Harris Chris, our goal keeper, is over 70 and has kept Running numerous fines sessions for the ladies really well this season. He has played for us and teams. Attending all of the season socials. Usually the 40+ Masters, and some days doubling up. A this is a team award but it was deemed that John is long term memory is Chris going head first at the his own team! opposition feet to sweep the ball away with his stick - and being there first. It is only the last few years Fyfe Cup – 6th team, Simeon Green that he has moved away from cane pads and The best performing team in the men’s section. cricket wicket keeping gloves into modern foam Winning the league cup. Making it to the final of pads. the cup.
2 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
Cyril Simpson – Simon Hibbitt (28 goals) Highest Lady of the Season (Outstanding contribution) - goal scorer in the men’s section. Georgina Headley Georgina basically is Wimbledon Ladies Hockey Rea Plate: Greg Porter Club. She has put in tireless hours over the years, Awarded for the most outstanding contribution to playing hockey, captaining teams, coaching juniors the men’s section. Greg captained the men’s 5th and umpiring. She puts in countless hours behind team the scenes finding coaches, mentoring Captains and played a key role in galvanising the 5th and 6th and players, solving last minute GK or player teams ensuring that players were available and in searches and stepping in to coach various Ladies the right place each week. teams. This season she has managed the bench Nominations for the Rea Plate: Andrew Sortwell, and coached every team at some point and all this Phil Ball, Tarek Abdullah, Greg Porter whilst unable to play due to injury. She can also be found at every social and is a secret weapon in any The Most Improved Junior of the Year - Aaron boat race team. She has passed on her great Bruce hockey skills to both her daughters, but is by no Nominations: Zoso Davies, Aaron Bruce means ready to hand over the baton just yet!
Ladies Junior of the Year – Julia Schofield Ladies Top Goal scorer - Natalie Stone This Goalkeeper has played for almost every team Scoring 40 goals for the Ladies 3s. this season from the 1s to the Dev Team. She is calm and confident beyond her years. She is in the Extra Mile Award (contribution to Ladies England U15 training squad and is among the top 8 Hockey) – Tarek Abdulla goalkeepers in the country for her age group. Tarek started playing at Wimbledon 20 years ago aged 7. After Uni he returned to Wimbledon to get Tabs Tipple – Ladies 2s stuck into the coaching and has been a major part Ladies 2s had a tough start to the hockey season of the growth and development of the junior hockey on the pitch, but they got straight into their stride section. He also coaches within the Ladies with the social side of things. The weekly Bake-off section, helps the men out too and encourages was a big part of this team and the standards were juniors to get involved in all aspects of the club. If exceptionally high. They were a force at the Tarek can get to where help is needed for Christmas social, donned golf kit and nail varnish Wimbledon he will… up scaffolding to film, on his for the pub golf and organized a very successful bike to coach the Ladies 4s, on the side lines with raffle at the social in the bar a month ago. On the the dev team players to offer encouragement and pitch their season rallied, which just goes to show if help for the juniors starting out in senior hockey, you can get the social bit going the rest of it all falls umpiring at horrible times of day for any team that into place. needs it, on a train and bike to support the girls he has coached represent England. Hours and hours Lady of Steel (Defender of the season) – Merie spent at KCS. His coaching and encouragement King can be heard all over the South of England. Tarek Merie puts in 100% and is a true fighter for has done thousands of extra miles for whichever team she plays for. She is an extremely Wimbledon HC and we are exceptionally grateful. knowledgeable defender, who calmly hands on her experience to those around her. Her tackling is Ladies Team of the Season - Ladies 3s spot on and no one wants to face her in a tackle With their third Season of Promotions in the bag, box. Sue Clay may be the Rock in the 2as, but this team goes from strength to strength. There Merie has proven herself to be the Mountain. was a tiny wobble this season they actually lost three games – unheard of! But this team characteristically shrugged it off and won their league scoring 85 goals, winning 15 games and edging Surbiton into second place by two points!
3 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
Final Team League Positions: Ladies: 1s - 5th National League – Women’s Conference East 1a’s - 6th South Division 3b 2s - 7th Surrey Prem 2a's - 3rd Gained Promotion from Surrey Div 2 to Div 1 Dev - 4th Surrey Div 3 3s - 1st Gained Promotion from Surrey Div 8 to Div 7 4s - 2nd Gained Promotion from Div 11 to Div 10. Player of the Year
Men’s: 1s - Joint 6th National Premier 2s - 7th London Premier 3s - 9th London Div 1 4s - 5th London Div 2 5s - 6th London Div 4 6s - 2nd London Div 7 Masters - 6th London Masters 2 Vintage Masters - 8th Supervets 2
CLUBHOUSE UPDATE New Sauna & Changing Room Refurbishment
A new sauna is being installed from 22nd to 28th May, whilst a complete overhaul of the ladies changing rooms is currently underway. Ladies please note it is possible to change in the changing rooms, accessing the rear of the area via a door by the tennis courts, but the showers and loo areas are closed.
‘We aim to re-open the ladies changing rooms by 6th June although the finishing touches will be completed after the Wimbledon Championships when work on the men’s changing rooms will begin.’ Dean Hughes, Operations Manager.
Members will be notified of the men’s changing room works nearer the time and a notice will be on the board in Reception with details.
4 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
END OF SEASON BLITZ PARTY
Tricia Hannaford commented on the evening: ‘This was the first year the junior parents took a table at the awards evening and we are so glad we did! It was an amazing night. The sports hall was decorated beautifully and it was hard to believe that there was a tennis court in there. The band played all night, needless to say everyone had a blast, there was laughter, dancing, awards, great food, brilliant service and I’m sure one or two sore heads the next day. What more could you ask for? Well done to Louise and her team for making the night such a success and just great fun!’
5 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
Summer Hockey Opportunities
WHC Ladies Summer Hockey league Dates: 21st April – around end June. The week night we play will vary. There will be 10 matches, playing each team twice. Games: Will be at 7:15pm or 8:15pm. 25 minutes each way with 3 minutes at half time. For: Anyone from the 2s, 2as, 3s & 4s Venue: Tiffin Girls School Sports Pitch, Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5PL
Cost: Seniors £5 per match Kit: White shirts, maroon skirts, white socks (unless otherwise stated) Contact: Sophie ( [email protected] ) to sign up.
Spencer HC Summer Hockey leagues Spencer HC are once again running a mixed 7-a-side league, men's 7-a-side and ladies' 7-a-side open to members and non-members. There is only enough space for 8 teams per league, so it is strictly first come, first served. To enter, download an entry form and return to Myra Sae-Heng at [email protected]. Payment in full will be required 14 days before start of the league. General Rules for All Summer Leagues: Leagues of 8 teams over 8 weeks will follow a round robin format. Games are 25 mins each way. Two games are simultaneously played at 7:30pm, then another two at 8:30pm - ie every team plays each week. 3 Points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Leagues will run in two sessions: a) Two mixed leagues running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8th April – 28th May 2014 (8 weeks). b) Three leagues running on Mondays (ladies), Tuesdays (mens) and Wednesdays (mixed) from 9th June – 30th July 2014 (8 weeks). Umpires provided. Free (small) Jug of beer/shandy for each team each week. Cost is £340 per team per 8 week league and includes a small jug of beer or shandy every week and allocated umpires Venue: Spencer HC, Fieldview, Earlsfield, London, SW18 3HF
6 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
JUNIOR END OF SEASON
Awards
Many congratulations to all our award winners. Many of you have collected your trophies but there are still some waiting collection with Reception at the Club! Please come in to collect them.
Team Most Improved Player Players Player Most Valuable Player
GU16 Prem Emma Rosier Paula Borkmann Julia Schofield GU16 Stars Julie Eastaugh Betsy Parrack Jemima Coe GU16 Stripes Claudia Telling Sophie Fairbairn Anna Bailey GU14 Charlotte Scott Maddie Cunningham Phoebe Redding GU14 Stars Rachel Aram Zoe Brune Mia Stevenson GU14 Stripes Annabel Sharpe Alannah Dennis Millie McCleave GU12 Beth Hornsby Tash Southorn Rosie Moorhead GU11 Thea Robinson Eleanor Williams Eloise Page-Cowan GU10 Amber Halsall Lauran Scott Lila Howard GU9 Charlotte Thesiger Amber Simpson Molly Wolff
BU16 Oliver Hopkins Rohan Mistry Joshua Keeling BU14 Kian Akhtar Josh Gravestock Nick Browning BU14 Dev Milo Collins Ben Drysdale Ben Garewal BU12 Barnaby Jullien Felix Reimnitz Theo de Unger BU11 Nicky Moxon Benjy Aram Rob Dreyer BU10 Jacob Barker Brynn Cann Johnny Seymour BU9 Harry Baker Ollie Reed Alexander Warlop
End of Season reports:
BU9/10 (Frances, Reg and Paul)
The boys under 9 and 10 had a wonderful season. With up to 28 boys down at KCS this was the largest group we have had on Sunday mornings and shows the boys’ desire and commitment to play hockey. We were lucky to have many sessions so expertly taken by Ben Marsden with keen guidance from Taj, Frances, Reg and Paul. Early season training soon transferred to excellent match results with up to 4 teams going out to home and away tournaments. In November the Panthers and Cougars played each other in a very hard fought final at Ashstead; a feat repeated right at the end of the season with the same two teams (many different boys though) coming joint first in the Spencer tournament.
Demonstrating how far we have come was shown in the Surrey Cup with our A team only conceding 2 goals and coming joint second in the group to Surbiton. Barnes only went through as runners up on more goals scored. We have half the group staying at U10 for next season so it should be another really promising year.
Many thanks to all the boys for their fantastic attitude this year. Thanks also to all the parents for their support, especially at KCS in that sub zero micro-climate and also for taking their sons to the many away matches, often very early on a Sunday morning.
Good luck to all those boys stepping up to the U12 group! Look forward to seeing the rest of you in September.
7 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
BU11/12 (Simon Nicholls)
2013/14 was a great season for the Boys. With nearly 40 boys in the group, we had a great base of players - to the point where our biggest challenge at times was to find enough opposition teams to play against. The boys showed excellent commitment to training and improvement, and right across the squad they have come on massively over the season. That was shown in strong performances in matches and tournaments throughout the season - with the highlight being a narrow defeat in the final of the Surrey Plate competition.
The Surrey Cup - where we came across the eventual winners - showed us that there is always room for improvement and that gives the group something to aim for next season.
Finally, some words of thanks on behalf of the squad: • to the rest of the U11/12 coaching team - Phil Ball, David Johnson, Rob Crumby, Henry Hailstone and Susan Hutchinson - who have put in a huge effort over the season, especially on those days when we had matches in one location and training back at Kingsway. • to Justine Johnson for co-ordinating the season brilliantly • to all the boys' parents who have helped make the season run so smoothly and given great support from the touchline.
GU12 Both Cup and plate teams finished third in Surrey, the plate girls lost in the semi-finals on golden goal to Spencer but the Cup gained a semblance of revenge by beating Spencer on flicks in the ¾ playoff.
BU12 Came Runners Up in the Plate, only loosing on flicks in the final.
BU16 Won their league to qualify for the league cup. A narrow quarter final win over Canterbury set up a semi- final match against Surbiton. The boys took a 5-1 lead but the opposition refused to give in and brought the game back to 5-5. The boys ended up losing on flicks.
GU16 Entered the South Indoor tournament for the first time gaining great experience as well as a win and a draw on the way.
GU18 The second year in a row we have entered the South Indoor competition and a much improved performance meant we were one result away from qualifying for the Nationals, though a memorable win over Surbiton was a highlight for the girls. In the outdoor cup a loss in the first around against Surbiton meant we entered the plate. Thanks to a bye and a walkover we ended up playing Wycombe in the quarter finals. A close and competitive encounter was decided by one goal in our favour. With Semi-finals and finals held on the same day the girls enjoyed a trip Old Loughts. We won the semi-finals after a nail biting sudden death flick competition. Unfortunately our luck run out in the finals against Bath buccaneers, despite numerous chances we went down 2-1.
Other notable successes include: 27 girls and 10 boys selected to play county hockey as well as 22 nominated to JRPC. Congratulations to Julia Schofield, Meg Dowthwaite, Josh Coniglio and Bex Arch who have either trained with or played for junior England teams the year.
8 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
TOP CLASS HOCKEY – LIVE
Hockey World Cup 31st May – 15th June The Rabobank Hockey World Cup continues to be one of the biggest prizes in hockey, combining extraordinary talent with unrivalled prestige to serve as the climax of the world hockey calendar. This epic tournament, consisting of 76 matches, will be the second time that both the men’s and women’s World Cups have been held at the same time and at the same location. The schedule will see six matches per day in the pool phase running until 10th June, reducing to four during the knock-out phases. Held at the Kyocera Stadium, Holland, the event will kick-off on the 31st May with the women’s final on Saturday 14th June followed by the men’s on Sunday 15th June. See full schedule here. England's men's first game is on Saturday 31 May against Spain at 16:30 (UK time), while the women will be playing their first on Sunday 1 June against the USA at 12:00. The men are in Pool A along with Australia, Belgium, India, Spain and Malaysia and the women are in Pool B with Argentina, Germany, China, USA and South Africa. If you’d like tickets click here or take a look at England Hockey’s travel packages by clicking England Hockey Travel .
Commonwealth Games 2014 24th July – 3rd August
Over seventy nations and territories including England, Jamaica, Australia, South Africa, Kenya and New Zealand will compete for medal glory in 17 sports across 11 days of competition. The Commonwealth Games take place every four years, and this year it’s the turn of Glasgow to host the 20th meeting of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Hockey events will take place at the new Glasgow National Hockey Centre, starting on the 24 July and finishing on the 3 August. 10 nations will be participating in each of the Men’s and Women’s Hockey competitions at Glasgow 2014. In the preliminary rounds, teams will be split into two pools of five. The top two teams in each pool will progress to play off for the medals. Australia has been the dominant force in Commonwealth Games Men’s Hockey, securing every title since its introduction in 1998. Watch out for challenges in both competitions from other medal- winning nations including Pakistan, England, India, New Zealand and Malaysia. Australian women have also dominated the Gold medal spot at previous Commonwealth Games. However, they still find themselves below New Zealand and England in the current World Rankings. You can start supporting England right now by following the Team England Twitter, or if you want to find out more about England and the Commonwealth Games you can have a look at their website. Ticket prices start at £15 for adults, and all ticket and pricing information can be found on the ticketing section of the Commonwealth Games website or for information on every sport and venue click here Glasgow 2014 .
9 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
FIXTURES – JUST HOW ARE THEY ARRANGED?
I suspect that most of us take it for granted that someone somewhere organizes our fixtures and after you’ve read this I think you’ll agree we owe them a huge thank you for the job they do. So here’s what our Fixtures Secretaries have to say on their role …
Nicki Hangar – Ladies Fixtures Secretary Two seasons ago Georgina Headley asked me to take over as fixtures secretary for the ladies’ section and, unable to think of a legitimate excuse, I agreed. The main part of the role is setting up friendly fixtures for the teams in the Surrey divisions. This largely happens for all teams in all Surrey clubs simultaneously, just before the first league meeting of the year begins and involves a lot of bargaining over home and away fixtures as well as explaining how the Development team fits in and why we have a team named the 2As. Having played for Cheam as a junior and Epsom as a senior before I came to Wimbledon to play in the 2As, there are quite a few familiar faces at the meeting. Over the summer the ladies’ fixtures secretary meets with Andy Sortwell (the men’s fixtures secretary) who masterminds pitch allocation for the entire club and helps him to input all of the data onto Fixtures Live. During the season you are responsible for confirming the friendlies and dealing with any cancellations, rearrangements and additional fixtures so you hope for no snow or frozen pitches. Overall it has been a very interesting role, the fixtures secretaries in other clubs are very helpful and friendly to work with and Andy Sortwell is absolutely brilliant at his job. I will be stepping down as fixtures secretary at the end of the year and Sarah Burnham, an ex-Wimbledon junior who has returned to the club, will be taking over.
Andy Sortwell – Men’s Fixtures Secretary It all started in 2005, on a hot and sweaty southwest train out of Waterloo. No, this isn't the opening line of a Mills and Boon novel, but my ongoing commitment to Wimbledon hockey club as the fixtures secretary. “So twinnie, can you talk?”, No I couldn't really, on a 30-degree sardine can, but I tried to anyway. “We need some help at the club. We need someone to take over the fixtures secretary role. It’s not too arduous and there will be a couple of beers in it for you…” With the 200 other occupants of the train carriage staring at me as if waiting for my reply, “…errrr, ok” I agreed, why not!?! As my 8th season draws to a close, I reflect on my responsibilities of ensuring that “where and what time” is the least of everyone’s worries. After all, for most, remembering where all ones kit resides is task enough, lest we collectively worry about being scattered about the astros of southwest London. For me, the hockey season doesn't start with late August, lung busting sprints around the cricket pitch. Crazy as it sounds, I actually enjoy that stuff! It starts mid-June with spreadsheets, fixtures live, lots of square pegs and many round holes. By the end of July, 95% of our pitch allocations have been checked and submitted to KCS for final approval. In between, there is as much art as there is science to make this all work smoothly. I was very quick to dispel the myth that this process was at all political. The idea that the “best slots on the best pitch” were favourably allocated has always been a point of contention. But, my process has always been based on team merit. Besides, now we have 2 adjacent pitches of equal quality, this idea is all but defunct. (Those of you old enough to remember Raynes park vs the single old KCS pitch will remember the issue.) I will avoid discussing the actual process of allocating 1200 hours of hockey pitch time. Such ‘highlights’ can be discussed on a one-to-one basis if the reader feels the need. It is worth noting that every effort is made to integrate the national league games into broader club life. Also, I try to ensure that, lower down the club, consecutive teams are best placed to offer umpiring and substitute support. After all, it’s only the very top of the club that has the luxury of appointed umpires. Also, a specific point is made to accommodate junior development teams. Often, their players have school commitments in the morning so we must be wary of hindering our own internal growth. The first day of the season isn't where this role ends. On a weekly basis, I am in contact with a raft of others working behind the scenes to make Wimbledon one of the best clubs in the country. KCS management and ground staff are keen to work with us to ensure their facility is properly used. Post-match refreshment - Geoff, Mandy Kim & Dave at the club are always in the loop. For them, 1 home game or 6 home games is the difference between a quiet night or 20+ peri peri chicken / jaeger-fuelled hotbed of activity. It’s not uncommon for 1 fixture a week to require a degree of special attention. If this is at the request of the opposition, then so be it. I often find myself in tight situations, unable to allocate turf time at KCS. One usually finds that what goes around comes around, so, it’s best to keep things flexible. In recent years, through extended junior commitments and 2 teams playing top flight hockey, Wimbledon HC has all but taken over the KCS turfs. This has been expensive, but a very rewarding process for all concerned. It’s also important to remember that there is no nomadic element to our home games. As a club, we have worked hard to keep KCS our base. It is easy to forget that many teams in London board the 'home-game merry-go-round' of Kennington Park / BoE / Battersea Park each week. We just have to remember the correct meet time and sock colour.
10 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM
April 5th 15.00 – 17.00 at KCS Astroturf a group of friends and family that have played with Pam Abdulla during her hockey career celebrated her 60th Birthday with fun games/ flicks against the keepers and a 12 aside match followed by cakes and chocolates on the sideline (made by Nadia) and then tea’s in the lounge area at the club. A friendly match was indeed played in the spirit of friendly hockey and fun was had by all. When Pam is involved it is a given that you will have a fabulous time.
Who is Pam you may well ask. Well, I defy anyone at the club not to know Tarek or the work he does for the club, but were you aware that there is a history of the Abdulla’s at the club?
His Dad Bobby was our Head Coach for some time and still coaches’ our juniors now. Pam (Tarek’s Mum) coached the juniors for some 19yrs during which time she also assisted with the weekly and Sunday administration. She was a key person working with Julie Q towards the further development of a structure for juniors at the club. During that time Tarek and Nadia went through the junior system alongside several of our current members. Pam always worked tirelessly to ensure that juniors were cared for and nurtured into fine hockey players.
Where would the club be without the Abdulla’s? We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. Julie Q
11 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
WHC MARATHON RUNNERS
Our Club has had a large number of it’s members running marathons so we thought we’d say a huge well done to them and share with you who did what, where … Elliot Laville (U16) and Guy Laville (U12) both ran in the London Mini Marathon; the last 3 miles of the London Marathon. It was Elliot's 6th time and Guy's first time. Elliot ran in the U17 men’s race completing the course in 18.15 mins, whilst Guy ran in the U13 boys finishing in 28.24 minutes. Wonderful experience and both really enjoyed being part of such an amazing event.
Eliott has also just received a GLL Sport Foundation Achievement Award following his results for 2013 representing GB in Biathle (run/open water swim/run – continuous). th After 5 races across the country he was ranked 4 . Well done Elliot!
Georgie Southorn (U16) squad ran in the London mini- . marathon for Merton U15 Girls team and ran 3 miles in 21.00. The U15 Girls team came 5th overall as all 8 of them completed the distance in sub-23 mins.
Natasha Southorn (U12) ran for Merton U13 Girls in 22.45.
Emma Headley ran in the U17 girls race for Wandsworth crossing the line in 19.10 mins th helping the Wandsworth team to 4 position.
There are many senior hockey members who are marathon runners but to name a few …
Brad Sellars ran the Paris Marathon and is heading to the Berlin Marathon later this year – Good Luck Brad!
Florence Beckett ran the New York Marathon in November 2013, for the MSA Trust, raising over £1,500. ‘I had expected it to be quite a flat, nice course – had no idea there were so many hills in New York – every mile seemed to have a hill which was pretty painful! Highlights were going through Brooklyn with loads of live bands, up 1st avenue and into the Bronx where there were gospel singers and huge bands! Lots of very friendly other runners which kept me going, as well as spotting my supporters 5 times in different places as they rushed around navigating the metro system to try to catch me..! Finishing in central park was a great feeling, as was spending a week in New York afterwards eating as much cheesecake as possible!!!’
Chloe Young and Kerry Bean ran to raise money for ‘Save the Rhinos’ - they didn't run in the rhino outfits that they brought to the last social though!
Peter Small ran the London Marathon for Parkinson raising £2,457.71. ‘The first 15km seemed to fly by and everything was going to plan. Just before the half way point I began to feel sluggish and slightly tired, luckily, the next few kms included crossing Tower Bridge and seeing the elites running the other way around 14 miles. Around 17 miles I began to feel a pain in my knees, which got significantly worse over the next mile or two. It became clear that my knees were not going to hold up until the end, therefore, I took the calculated decision to walk the final 8 miles of the race even though it meant forfeiting the time I had been planning for. Those final eight miles felt longer than all those that had come before them, but as I crossed the finish line, I was overcome with raw emotion. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done and I was so happy to have finished the ordeal. Will I do it again? Definitely.’
12 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
NEWS
There is a great buzz in the camp at the moment. Wimbledon Guardian's With an injection of youth we know we have the potential to win medals – sooner rather than later, if new hockey column: we are lucky.
Henry on hockey It’s great to share this feeling with two club colleagues, with whom I have a fantastic bond; (From Your Local Guardian) hopefully our collective experience will benefit Wimbledon next season and beyond. England hockey international and Wimbledon star Henry Weir starts his new and exclusive column for We found out the news about the England squad the Wimbledon Guardian after getting some good selection via email which was quite nerve-racking, news. 7:00am Thursday 15th May 2014 in Sport particularly for me as I had been in a race against time to return to full fitness since rupturing my right ankle in a freak training ground accident, when I was clipped by another player’s foot, about eight weeks ago.
I underwent an intensive six-week rehabilitation course which involved hyperbaric therapy, and meant 14 consecutive days of 90-minute sessions in an oxygen chamber.
It’s really claustrophobic and uncomfortable – you
By Henry Weir, England Hockey columnist wear a mask and it’s like being in a tiny submarine. And you are not allowed to listen to music, or have any electrical items around, as one spark could Wimbledon in it together: It is a special feeling to create a massive explosion. know we are going to Holland to represent our country. With my final exams at Loughborough University looming I started studying to pass the time, but I On Tuesday it was confirmed that I will be going to found it very hard to concentrate and by the end I’d the World Cup later this month as part of England’s resorted to sudoku puzzles. 18-man squad, along with my Wimbledon Hockey Club team-mates Alastair Brogdon and Michael It was hellish, but it did the trick: I made my Hoare. comeback appearance in the 3-3 draw with the Netherlands on May 3, coming off the bend to win It is a special feeling to know we are going to my 37th cap for England. That showing must have Holland to represent our country, and from a convinced the coaches that I could feature at the personal perspective I’m thrilled to be selected after World Cup. almost two months out with injury and a gruelling rehabilitation programme – more of which below. I was so pleased that Alastair was chosen, too – The tournament in The Hague, which runs from partly because we live together near Maidenhead May 31 until June 15, will be my first World Cup. I and it would have been awkward if one of us had have been in the squad for just over a year now, been overlooked. having been drafted in just after the London Olympics in 2012, as part of a raft of players to To celebrate I went for a lovely Korean meal in mark a new generation. London with my long-term girlfriend Laura, who plays for the women’s team at Wimbledon. It was I’m 24 now and looking forward to hopefully playing rather low-key, though, as I’ve had my head down for England for many more years – and this with my studies. summer should be fascinating as we also have the Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, shortly after I’m in my final year of a sports science degree at the World Cup. 13 Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/wimbledonhc and at www.wimbledonhockey.com
Loughborough – where I met Laura, who graduated a couple of years ago – and I handed in my dissertation the other week. I have my final exam, however, on May 27 – the same day we are supposed to be flying out to Holland.
Ideally I want to arrive in The Hague with a clear head, done and dusted with my degree, so I might fly out after the exam rather than postponing it. That way I can solely concentrate on what should be an incredible summer with England – and hopefully a medal or two.
NOW: Pensions are one of the UK’s leading auto enrolment pension providers and the proud partner of England and Great Britain Men’s Hockey. Follow @NOWhockey or go www.nowpensions.com
14 Follow us on Facebook and at www.wimbledonhockey.com