Join Wycombe
Wycombe men’s 1st XI are seeking new recruits for the upcoming season. After winning the league and gaining promotion to South Premier 2, the team are looking to build on this success – part of this process is securing new or returning talent to bolster the squad. The team currently trains and plays its home matches at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, near Marlow. The centre boasts one of the best hockey pitches in the world; the surface is identical to the one used for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The pitch is also home to the Great Britain and England men’s and women’s squads.
Celebrating winning the league
The Bisham facility under lights
We are coached by current GB and England co-captain Ian Sloan. Ian has not only had great success on the pitch but also on the sideline in his hockey career, leading Loughborough 2nd XI to BUCS glory and also to the Midlands Premier League title. Wycombe have enjoyed continuous improvement during his three years here so far, culminating in an impressive title win last season. Ian is supported by Martin Sloan, an ex-international who represented Ireland 149 times with over 100 appearances as captain. Martin himself has had a long career of coaching at youth and senior level and takes over the reins when Ian is away on international duty.
Wycombe currently have a mix of youth and experience in their playing squad. At 26, centre forward and top goalscorer Stephen Sloan has been playing for Wycombe for three years, having previously represented Ireland at U16, U18 and U21 level and also having played in the EHL with a previous club. The team also possesses a current England U18 international in Callum Addison, a defender and accomplished drag flicker. Callum scored some crucial PC goals throughout the course of last season and his good play has been rewarded by a recent call-up to the U18 playing squad. We are delighted to have secured the services of former England U18 international Sam Burroughs, who is returning to the club having played in the National League for Richmond. Sam is a phenomenal addition to the team and his arrival clearly signals the direction in which the club wants to go. One of the players of last season was undoubtedly Will Holderness, a dynamic midfield player who has played in the National League with Loughborough and returned to Wycombe HC in the summer of 2016. William Budgell, who captained the team last season, has had experience playing at a high level in both England and Australia. This is just a small sample of the calibre of player we have here at Wycombe, and we are looking for more talent to augment the quality of the squad.
The team plays an exciting brand of hockey, with a healthy blend of possession-based and counter-attacking styles. One of the keys to last year’s success was a positive team ethos and a selfless team environment. Combined with the unquestionable talent in the squad, the young side were able to conquer MBBO and gain promotion to South Premier.
Wycombe’s pre-season begins towards the end of July. As usual, players currently at university are more than welcome to come train during the summer.
DATES:
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- Monday 24th July 2017 – 19 30 until 21 30 – Bisham Abbey NSC
- Thursday 27th July 2017 – 19 30 until 21 30 – Bisham Abbey NSC
- Saturday 29th July 2017 – 14 00 until 16 00 – Bisham Abbey NSC
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Post session on the Saturday there are plans to go for food and drinks somewhere in the nearby area.
Free attendance for prospective first team players – please contact Ian Sloan if you are considering attending.