With September just around the corner, here’s an overview of news and upcoming events.
The Committee have been hard at work over the summer months organising our coaching schedule and fixtures. We’re excited to welcome John Shaw back to the coaching team, taking charge of the Ladies’ 1st XI. John has huge amounts of experience as both a player (representing GB at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics) and coach. The ladies 1s and 2s will now train on Monday evenings with the option of getting some extra practice in on a Wednesday too. Sights are set on promotion! Zoe Shipperley will carry on putting the ladies lower teams through their paces.
Ian Sloan will remain as coach for the men’s 1s, who werre promoted to South Prem 1 last season, whilst also fulfilling his committments as a key member of the GB squad. And we’re pleased to welcome ex-Ireland and GB Internation Martin Sloan to the coaching team. Martin will coach the Men’s 1s and 2s alongside Ian, and also take charge on the Boys U16s. Additionally, homegrown Wycombe players Will Holderness, Matt Yates and Lee Elliott will join the coaching team and we wish them every success! For a full rundown of training times and venues, visit http://wycombehockeyclub.clubbuzz.co.uk/training_schedule.
Senior teams will now find all fixtures on the website, with times and venues where known. All teams will be sending out selection emails through club buzz this season, and it’s important that players use the ‘Omissions’ feature to let team managers know about unavailability. Go to ‘My Profile’ top right of the screen and click ‘Add Omission’.
As always, the arranging of umpires is one of the toughest jobs in the club. We have tried to arrange home fixtures to enable players to umpire a match at the same venue where they are playing on a Saturday. Remember, if you umpire a game you can get your match fee credited to your club buzz account. So you can effectively play for free! (umpiring qualification required)
Pre-season friendlies are underway and all men’s and ladies’ teams have matches on 7th September, in advance of Club Day at Wycombe High School on Sunday 8th. The format of the day will be U14 and U16 boys and girls from 10:00 followed by Ladies’ 1s v West Herts at 12:15, then the Men’s 1s v Indian Gymkhana at 14:00. The day will round off with mixed games for anyone who wants to participate. A BBQ and refreshments will be available all day so bring the whole family!
The following Saturday, 14th September, we have the Croxson Trophy against local rivals Marlow. 11 out of 12 senior teams will take part and the scores from all games will be aggregated to find the winning club. Come on Wycombe!
League games for the ladies commence on 21st September, and for the men on 28th.
Behind the scenes we’re working on updating our disciplinary procedure following new guidance from England Hockey, updating committee role profiles, organising a Park Run takeover, planning for the start of our first Hockey Heroes programme, booking pitches, arranging a first aid course, refilling first aid kits, ensuring all our coaches have their DBS up to date, and building our links with local schools. It’s non-stop!
We’re wishing all teams a very happy and successful season.