‘the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom’
We are involved in a number of hockey related projects, hence the excess (and the length of this newsletter). The palace is the facilities we now have available. The wisdom is recognising that the structures we are putting in place will naturally lead to success. For example, the current strategy of 2 flagship teams and 3 strong supporting squads with a mix of experience and youth. We expect players to support the club by playing where asked, the best will rise to the top over the season.
Leicester Hockey Club (Men) are now based at Leicester Grammar
We have moved into some of the best hockey facilities in the UK. We have a Club First accredited structure to support the five men’s teams, the vets and the junior provision from u9 upwards. All the training times and match times for each group are now in place:
Tues evening 7.30-9.30 for 1s and 2s;
Tues evening 7.30-9.00 for 3s and 4s;
Tues evening 6-7.30 for u13s, u14s and y15s and 5th team;
Thurs after school 4.00-5.00 u9s and u11s;
Thurs evenings County core skills training for invited juniors (6.30-7.30 or 7.45-8.45);
Sunday 10-12 junior training u9s-u18s + County.
Vets next match Nov 9.
The junior tournament last Sunday
With the help of our junior hockey club partner, South Leicester, we hosted over 50 7-a-side squads during last Sunday. Leicester Hockey Club (Men) u9s won their age group, the u11s were runners-up and the u13s made the semi-final. Well done to all who helped on a fantastic day for the Club supported by the School’s fabulous facilities (it was good to see so many pupils from the School involved). An impressive example of local community involvement facilitated by Leicester Grammar School.
Coaching
We have increased our coaching resource as a club by funding 10 new level 1 coaches. This will allow us to capitalise on our facilities and distinguish our hockey provision.
Umpiring
Next term I would like to run a level 1 umpires course on a Sunday. We must aim to treat umpires with the utmost respect. Any players who share their opinion while on the pitch with an umpire in any given week should be made to umpire the following week.
Training
The fixtures are now available at the MRHA website for the season, all 1s and 2s home matches will be on water (as will most of the home 3s matches). The default assumption is that you will attend training - in the unlikely event you are unavailable can you let your team captain know. Jon Williams has taken over the 1s and 2s training and is doing a very good job.
Vets and VPs
The next vets match is at home on Nov 9. This would be an appropriate occassion to invite vps to attend. We were very fortunate to receive a large donation from some of the vps last month.
Selection Guidelines
Everyone joins on the basis that they play in the side and position requested. Training is essential for the higher teams. We will aim for small squads and try to avoid u18s starting as substitutes.
Junior members, parents and prospective junior members
The aim of the junior coaching is to develop the senior players of the future. We provide regular coaching for all age groups by experienced coaches.
Many players at the club receive invites to guest for other clubs, please note that by attending Leicester training we expect priority if we require you for a tournament. Leicester Hockey Club (Men) currently have more than 10 boys of an appropriate standard at representative ‘core skills’ training run by the County on a Thurs evening. I am aware that the training on a Tues evening is at a difficult time for u12s and u13s, next term we shall plan provision for these groups to help prepare for the March tournaments.
Membership and shirts
Nigel Comley is the Membership Officer. He is also selling club white and black shirts.
