TWC HOCKEY BY BEN MARSDEN DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY

WIMBLEDON HOCKEY REACHED NEW HEIGHTS IN 2016/17 SEASON WITH THE MEN’S AND LADIES’ 1ST TEAMS AND JUNIORS BREAKING CLUB RECORDS!

he Men’s 1s were run away to achieve a last four European finish to the top four in , is an incredible winners of the Premier since Reading, seven years earlier. story. Congratulations to all who have League and represented This victory is a culmination of hard been, and continue to be, a part of it. in the Televised work and investment from so many The Ladies 1s broke club records by EuropeanT Club Championship. In the people and sponsors. Captain Johnny winning the Investec East Conference last 8 they faced UHC Hamburg, the Kinder summed it up when he said League for the first time. This meant German side with the greatest record that it was an all-round team effort. that they went through the qualifying in European club history. In a game It is also important to acknowledge rounds for promotion to the National played at the superb Hockey the contribution of the backup staff Premier League. With early success, Stadium in front of a packed house, and the two Olympic Bens (Hawes and they sailed into the National Finals and Wimbledon triumphed with a 3-1 Marsden), who have steered the team in the end were narrowly beaten, but victory. This meant that they had over the previous years, plus a salute learnt a lot. It was a great achievement. to beat Germany’s Mannheim in the to the old guard of Richard Holliday, To have stars such as GB Olympic play-off final to go into the last four. Ben Rea and Richard Creed, who, over gold medallist, Crista Cullen, playing A thrilling game ended 2-2 but 10 years ago, put all this in motion. for the team, reflects how far our in a penalty shoot-out, they scored The move in 10 years from club has come and with young talent all five of their goals to go through Surrey/Hampshire South League 2, coming through, we look forward and become the first British club five leagues below the Premier League, to the future with optimism. u

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“ The move in 10 years from Surrey/Hampshire South League 2, five leagues below the Premier League, to the top four in Europe, is an incredible story. ”

TWC Men’s 1st XI Hockey team - first English club to reach final four in the Euro Hockey League since 2011.

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JUNIOR HOCKEY the best year in THE CLUB’S HISTORY

e have two major aims players and Performance Coaches for junior hockey: firstly pushing the players to improve. to ensure that every We have over a dozen international player has a good players coaching on a weekly basis, Wexperience, whatever their level and including 5 current GB male secondly, to provide a pathway that internationals and an increasing hundred local boys and girls getting supports players from their first day number of female stars, including involved. Crista Cullen (MBE and trying the sport through to having GB international Suzy Petty Olympic gold medallist), Ben Marsden the coaching and pitch-time required to and Scottish star Fiona Bruce. (Olympian and UK clubcoach of reach national representative standard. · The hard work from the professional the year), and Phil Roper (GB Men’s coaching team and parent helpers WITH THESE AIMS IN MIND, Hockey Captain) make up a stellar cast resulted in fantastic outcomes in 2017. 2017 HAS BEEN THE MOST of ambassadors leading the charge. SUCCESSFUL YEAR For the first time we have had 2 Planning for the 2018/19 season is IN THE CLUB’S HISTORY: junior teams qualify for the South now underway with a host of exciting of England Finals where our U10 projects being reviewed including: • We have provided hockey to Boys came third and our U10 Girls • introduction of Sunday hockey a record number of boys and girls, came second, making Wimbledon for U7s and U8s (currently Sunday with junior membership now the highest performing club in the hockey starts at U9) pushing towards 700. South of England in this age group. • We have an extra 100 fixtures We were also delighted with our • additional mid-week sessions for to provide our players with the Surrey representations announced a broader group of players beyond competitive matches they love. in November 2017, with 53 players the current Academy group This has been a huge undertaking, making it into the Surrey squad, an • one-to-one coaching with our with some age groups fielding increase of nearly 100% on last year. international stars, 7 teams with every member of Not content with the 24-week • additional pitch-time for the squad representing the Club. season, for the first time in 2017 the high-performance athletes A big thank you to the increasing juniors also enjoyed the opportunity • further increased number and numbers of parent helpers who to play summer hockey at the Ricards frequency of Sunday matches have been vital in making this possible. Lodge pitch – a site we are now to ensure all our boys and girls • Competition and quality at our expanding our use of. We also get the opportunity to represent Academy is reaching new heights kicked-off a new Friday Night Academy the Club on a regular basis. thanks to an array of world-class aimed at providing more opportunity for some of our high-potential players. U14 EUROPEAN HOCKEY LEAGUE JUNIOR HOCKEY With 9 Olympians and 20 international SURREY REPRESENTATIVES players in our ranks, we have been For the U14 Boys’ EHL squad the keen to inspire young players beyond first major excitement was in Eindhoven 50 the Club. The result has been a schools’ watching the WHC men competing outreach programme called Quick in the European last16, mingling with 40 Start Hockey aimed at encouraging the Wimbledon crowd and witnessing 30 junior state school children who don’t an amazing game of hockey. have much opportunity to play hockey, It was a very special experience 20 to give it a try and learn from some of sharing coaching and the same hotel 10 the best in the business. The assemblies, as the Senior team with a WHC 1s taster sessions and after-school clubs player or a GB star supporting the boys 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 are already in full swing with several and cheering them on at every turn. u

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The new generation: U10 boys team after winning the Surrey Cup and quicksticks in training

The campaign began against Real Club Polo from . An even first half saw the U14s lose an early goal then equalise. The game was tight took a major hit with the loss of Luke but after much Polo pressure, and MEN & LADIES Martin, who now plays at Old Loughts. a succession of amazing saves by Mango, Luke is replaced at left back by Callum, the 2nd goal went in and we lost 2-1. reaching new heights who is certainly less lippy with the umpires, The Dutch champions, Kampong, even if he lacks the chest circumference. came next. WHC took an early lead The social highlight so far was against a well-organised team of amazing MENS 2S undoubtedly “Ou est le poulet?”, which skill (the only goal Kampong conceded After getting 4 points from a challenging adds to the team’s ever increasing list in the whole tournament). Wave after first few games against last season’s of annual events, and we look forward wave of Dutch pressure ended with top three, the 2s have gone on to have to a second Magical Mystery Tour their 3-1 victory. The U14s were given one of their strongest starts to the in the second half of the season. the exciting opportunity to play on season in recent memory and currently The team continues to improve the main pitch and comprehensively sit 2nd in the table having won 7 of 11 and we hope to build on our early outplayed the Dragons from games. Particular on-pitch highlights form to be real title contenders. resulting in a 0-0 draw out losing were the away 3-0 win against the shoot-out. The day was not over Southgate in the very first game and MENS 3S though, as all boys and their families beating Spencer 3-1 to lift the Earl saw the Men 1s clinch their shoot-out of Wandsworth trophy. Both victories Finishing 5th last season, the obvious against Mannheim. What a game! were of course celebrated emphatically, aim for the team is to finish in the A great weekend and a huge thank but unfortunately the trophy was play-off places. The season started you to the Club for their support, mislaid on its first outing. slowly and despite losing only one coaching from Ben, Henry and Johnny, The bulk of the team is not much game, five drawn games reduced the before we left and in Eindhoven, changed from last year but big name points total. However, having hit a win- and from parents throughout the signings include the Gaffer (Callum ning streak including a big win against weekend. What a great learning expe- Close), who excelled himself at the Tulse Hill and Dulwich 2’s away (2-1), rience for the boys. first fines meeting of the year, and the team are now sitting in 5th place James Kitcherside. We also welcome in the table. Difficult to beat, the team our new player/coach Tom McCarthy are now working on scoring goals. from Australia/USA/Germany/England, Jamie Caulfied is still captain, with complete with bizarre hybrid accent. Gareth Bint the new Social Secretary. All are big assets to the side and The arrivals of Tom Pickersgill, Chris have been strong contributors to our Allison, Callum Brown, Ben Spencer successes so far this year. & Gary Breitenstein have added depth As well as some new players, to the team and the squad is improving we’ve unfortunately lost week on week. some old teammates. MENS 4S Infernos said goodbye to long-standing patron The 2016/17 season saw the 4s return Tom Irons, who moved to form and gain promotion. Highlights to Sydney in September, have included the cup victory, with and the biggest back a resounding win in the final and Nick four in world hockey Burt being the top scorer for the entire U14 at the EHL and TWC supporters in Barcelona

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Above: TWC Hockey Mens 2s team Left: Mens 4s team

WHC with 31 goals. and have a laugh at the club house. MASTERS 2S The 2017/18 season has started Onwards and upwards for the 5s! The Masters 2s are enjoying success. with a bang and at the halfway point The next half of the season is ours. Last season, the 1s won the League the 4s are sitting at the top of the but perhaps at the expense of the 2s. MASTERS 1S league with 9 wins, 1 loss and an This season the Masters 2s, with the impressive goal difference. The season After shocking the world of hockey strong support of the Masters 1s, have looks set to boil down to the Richmond by winning the Masters London League had a much better time of it and are return leg to decide who gets the last season for the first time (after just currently in 3rd place thanks to some coveted top spot. Sights are firmly set gaining promotion the season before) close results. Dale Vearncombe scored on securing back-to-back promotion. the Masters 1s section have benefitted a winning goal with the last shot of the The team has been bolstered with from an injection of (relatively) young game against Richmond, and there was a few new arrivals, namely Scott, Dan talent. Over the last two years we have a one-goal victory against a very strong Coombs and Phil. Together with ever seen 10 players with a long history London Wayfarers Centurions. solid performances from the 4s stalwarts playing 1s, 2s, 3s at the club make However, other victories have been and Rich fulfilling coach duties while their way to the heady heights of our more convincing with the only defeat injured. This leaves the squad in a great Masters section, and this season, after against top club Old Cranleighans, position to chase the big victories. an overhaul aimed at strengthening when a draw might have better our 2nd team, we have one of the reflected the performance. MENS 5S largest group of players in the country The Masters 2s have been bolstered The season has been a bit of a roller hovering at the wrong side of 40. by new talent, Maurice, Darren, Mitch coaster. After a solid start in the The most pleasing part of it is that and Pete becoming regular players beginning, they found themselves both masters teams are playing so well and combining with the old stalwarts. floundering. There has been a turnaround, this season, and are really enjoying their Daryl has commanded the back however, with a solid commitment from hockey. Many a supporter regularly tell and Wilbur’s distribution in midfield the players and a determination to win. us how the standard of hockey played is peerless. Overall, the season has Now mid-table, the team is picking is more akin to a top EHL match, which been highly enjoyable. up new players, playing for each other, seems about right to us. Seriously though, and has great expectations. In other the team is on the up, and while we’ve WIMBLEDONIANS’ team news, Richard Boddington is lost two matches we should have won HALF-TERM REPORT expecting an addition to the family any this season (Georgians, Reading), not Record as at 24th November 2017 – day now! We look forward to seeing helped by injuries, we can realistically Played 7, Won 5, Drawn 1, Lost 1. another supporter on the side lines. aim to be top 3. That, alongside a top-3 A great start to the season. We have There is a strong team culture finish for our Masters 2s, would be benefitted from a larger squad, in the developing and joined the 3s and 4s a big achievement for the group. main due to the increased strength of for a Christmas Jumper Social. It was Congratulations to Kyle (last year’s the Masters’ squads with some of their great to show off our festive colours player of the year) and Chris (man of steel). players being available to us full time. u

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“ We have seen an increase in supporters at the side of the pitch, and this has been a massive confidence boost for the whole team. ” part from a glitch at Tunbridge We are looking forward to a strong LADIES 2AS Wells, we have had full squads second half of the season as we once Last year we finished mid-table. We had of 14 players and in some again chase the League title. several self-motivated girls that made casesA have had to stand players the effort to get fitter to try and push LADIES 1AS down. Spirits are high, despite varying us ahead. We have lost those girls to standards of ability and fitness, and it 2017 got off to a very challenging the 2s this year. Jenny, Gaia, Megan has been enjoyable both on and off start for the Ladies 1As, having been and Phoebe have all taken their brilliant the field. Anthony’s hot teas are popular docked 12 points by the league before season and continued working hard and appreciated by away teams as well the starting whistle was blown! for the 2s. Maddie has now also been as ourselves. Luckily the squad of remarkable ladies rewarded by being pulled up. Unfortunately, we have only managed took the bad news in their stride, get- We have therefore lost a big part of one grass game at home to date – whilst ting more excited to celebrate a “zero our core players from last season. grass is not popular with some of our points” party than winning the League. We are currently 8th. This is quite a tough opponents, when they do encounter We are very fortunate to have landed league this year with very strong teams. our grass they are very complimentary. Nate Stewart, a talented Aussie u21 The groundsmen continue to work international, as our coach. After LADIES 3S hard to rebuff the effects of our a quiet start with a bunch of noisy ladies The start of the 2017/18 season saw weather and the high water table. he has fast become one of the gang. a new Captain/Coach combination This year the squad, led by Paddy The 1As have consistently produced for the Ladies 3s in Georgina Headley Bowes and Ed Cole, is a great cocktail a fantastic level of hockey and quickly and Annie Breslin, as well as the welcome of age, skill and wit, and the atmosphere reached positive points. We are now return of key players such as Sophie on the pitch is a joy to behold. Howard happily mid table and looking forward Farrow and our fifth graduate from the Slatter, our regular goalkeeper, kept us to how high we can climb! ‘Back to Hockey’ program, Lizby Sharpe. on our toes and the most conspicuous Many thanks to an amazing team The 3s have got into their stride goalscorers were Phil Kemball, Tom for their incredible positive attitude, much quicker this season and Georgina Worner and Peter Pitt-Brown with which has made the first half of the has given the team a renewed desire to contributions from seven other players. season a pleasure! play well, win games and above all enjoy our hockey. And enjoying it we are. LADIES 1S LADIES 2S With some great wins, already in the At the break the Ladies 1s team are It’s been a bit of a tough first half of first half of the season we will be looking sitting 3rd having lost only 2 games and the season for the Ladies 2s but there to challenge for promotion in what scoring 43 goals and only conceding 5. is no doubt in the squad that there are is a very open Division 6 this season. This season we welcomed new fac- some big wins just around the corner es and we are really gelling as a team. for us. Despite narrowly losing out, the LADIES 4S Highlights have been so many clean team have put in strong performances The first half of the season has gone sheets, and beating Southgate 9-0 and against all of the top clubs in the League, very well. We have eight players who 6-0 in the return fixture. including Guildford, Teddington and remain part of the team from the We have also seen an increase in the Wanderers, with a promising win promotion winning squad of last year, supporters at the side of the pitch and recorded against Aldershot and Farnham. so it’s been a period of settling in. The this has been a massive confidence boost A few players have made the jump ages of the squad ranges from 16 to for the whole team. As always, our up from the 2As this season and are 25 years. As a group we have lots of coaches, management and physio have proving to be pivotal members of the other commitments during the week been so professional and supportive, squad, which is great to see, along with and at weekends, including school plus the ball patrol have been fantastic. their growing confidence. hockey, plus GCSEs and A levels.

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So, with limited spare time, we choose o far this season we have added its winter term and the ladies marked not to have training during the week. two new juniors to the squad. it off with a victorious 1-0 win against Despite this, we all love playing hockey Josie Keey and Lily Mercier have Old Cranleighans. The victorious and the commitment on the pitch is Sseamlessly settled in, showing confidence Wimbledon team was made up of new obvious to the opposition, who often and much ability. We have also picked joiners and some old faces returning outnumber us with players on the up some more youthful adults of for the Monday night sessions. pitch and subs. We sit a comfortable a high calibre with Jo Hayter and Abi This game served to demonstrate 4th in the Ladies Surrey Division 8, Fincher-Jones returning to hockey after the progression of our program alumni having scored 29 goals and won over having had children. Jo Fowler and and the level of player joining us. 50% of our games. We look forward Penny Stern have been positive As a club, we should take great heart to the rest of the season. additions for the girls to learn from. from the platform we have created We have already been in a position for new and old lovers of the game LADIES DEVELOPMENT TEAM to promote a couple of our juniors to enjoy. ■ As we reached the halfway stage of the to the team above. season the Development team sits in 8th position in Surrey League 3, with BACK TO HOCKEY a mixed bag of results. Draws that PROGRAM so easily should have gone our way Whether it’s picking up a stick for we hope to convert into wins going the first time, improving your fitness, forward. Our close-fought matches so you can discuss the rules with your have been against teams that now children or simply a reminder of your SOCIAL MEDIA: also choose to use this League to play school days, Back to Hockey could be WIMBLEDONHC promising juniors, as we have been the place for you. Wimbledon’s Back @WIMBLEDONHC doing for a few seasons now. to Hockey program has just finished WIMBLEDONHC

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