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ALL SMILES AT OUR ANNUAL CLUB DINNER & PRESENTATION EVENING

ALL SMILES AT OUR ANNUAL CLUB DINNER & PRESENTATION EVENING

Matt Wilde12 May 2017 - 09:16
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This hugely successful & well attended event was once again hosted at The Hilton Canary Wharf on Saturday 8th April

Be Proud Be Worthy

It’s been another great season for The Oldest Hockey Club in the World as our Hockey Family continues to grow, develop and flourish. There’s plenty to celebrate but it’s worth remembering that for all the league titles, promotions, cup victories, hat-tricks, player of the match awards, international honours and other outstanding performances on the pitch our club is also about the tremendous achievements off it. Undoubtedly a year full of many wonderful things not involving stick and ball. This is our 5th Season at College Meadow and the visions and plans that will enable this Club to march onwards and upwards to become one of the best in the South East.
I’m proud to state that this ambition doesn’t diminish what so many of us strive for our Club to be: a friendly, social and welcoming environment for all. A true Hockey Family. Where Hockey provision ranges from local primary school initiatives to Junior Club to Social to Challenging Club level to Back to Hockey to Elite Competitive. Add to that a vibrant Social scene where life-long friendships are made and the Club has it all. No barriers. No limits. No restrictions. Only open arms.

The exciting new second astro including a small practice & warm up area, that will sit adjacent to our current pitch, has moved tantalising closer with the final plans now imminently awaiting approval from Bromley Council. This together with a brand-new Clubhouse being constructed next to the tennis courts 50m away will deliver facilities that 5 or 6 years ago we could only have dreamed of. The Steering Group that has done and continues to do the bulk of this work from design, to fundraising to grant bids to tenure agreements, led by Jenny Seale and myself, has been invaluable and we owe them a great debt of thanks. A new club identity and rebranding will be launched in the Autumn with a newly designed club badge. With the removal of ‘Old’ from our title we will become Blackheath & Elthamians Hockey Club to reflect the same change by our sports club partners at Elthamians Rugby and Elthamians Cricket. The Committee have been in a detailed process of procurement and tenders to identify a new Club kit and leisure wear provider and this important development will be announced over the coming weeks and hopefully put an end to 18 months of poor supply and service. Andy Moore is coordinating the final stage of our extensive Club Mark application which is another important step in ensuring the Club meets higher standards for welfare, equity, coaching and management.

We have a very active Social Media presence and a glance at our regularly updated platforms demonstrates how alive the club is. Kate ‘hashtag’ Wilkinson on our PR & Media Team has done wonders in ensuring this has increased significantly this season with fantastic coverage and superb photographs from her own hands. The Club continues to hold regular well attended monthly social events attended by all sections and is an important fundraising and ‘togetherness’ initiative. Next season this will be spearheaded by a new look Social & Event Team so expect some exciting new happenings. We pride ourselves on being good hosts and post-match hospitality at our clubhouse has been praised by visiting opposition all season with continued work to improve the food finally coming to fruition. Thanks to the ongoing work of Development Officer and Vice President Stephen Gilbert local businesses are actively supporting the club including a growth in pitch side advertising which helps to secure the long term financial sustainability of the Club.

The legacy of the GB Women’s success in Rio last summer has been profound and it’s a testament to so many in the club we were able to capitalise on that and significantly grow the female membership from U6s to Senior level. Fielding a successful Ladies 4th Team and Girls U12, U14 and U16 sections bursting at the seams with waiting lists are very visible symbols of that. Add to this the successful THIS GIRL CAN initiatives we run in schools means the much hoped for expansion of the Women’s section is a massive positive for the Club this season.

On-pitch we are celebrating two League Championship winners plus two second place league positions meaning a potential four promotions. Another two excellent third place finishes that narrowly missed promotion and a solid fourth place. Not to mention the Men’s 1st XI are finalists for the second consecutive year in the EH Trophy with the final at Lee Valley on 29th April. This is a huge and prestigious achievement and the lads are determined to dispel last year’s disappointment and ride back into town clutching the silverware.

We say goodbye to our Men’s and Ladies Head Coaches this season as both step down. Richard Young wants to return to playing and his ever-demanding role as Club Captain of Sevenoaks HC as well as handing the reigns to a next generation coach who can take the Women to the next level. Calum Giles is going to be spending valuable time with his young family and concentrating on his important coaching role at Eltham College, the fruits of which we will see, most definitely, at the club. Both have been hugely significant and pivotal in our First Teams progression with both overseeing successful promotions during their tenures. We send them our sincerest best wishes for the future and warmly thank them for all they have given to the Club. They will always be part of our Hockey Family. Losing these two key individuals may be seen by some as a blow but despite their undoubted excellent achievements & contributions the Club Management see this is a wonderful opportunity for us to bring in a new energy, vision and drive as the Club begins to write a new chapter in its illustrious history. The Committee already has some excellent potential candidates and is actively scouring the UK and abroad for the right people to join and help create a new legacy. We have achieved so much in the last 5 years and with a very exciting future unfolding in front of this magnificent, ever growing and successful Club. Now more than ever, we can welcome some new exceptional individuals to join our Hockey Family to help takes us on our journey.

Our Club is truly the place to be and ‘Where Hockey Matters’. We will continue leading the way for hockey in South East London and beyond for anybody who wants to join our happy band of hockey makers.

Be Proud, Be Worthy.

CLUB AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS 2016/17

This season we are presenting our new Rising Star Awards. These are for members aged 14-16 years of age that are committed to junior training and matches and beginning or continuing to train and play with the Senior Sections.

It is for a young person who has made a significant difference to individuals or teams through their positive contribution to the Junior Section, Club or hockey in general. This person is seen as a role model and has dedicated a substantial amount of time to hockey competing, coaching or volunteering. The winner will receive also receive a small bursary to support their continued development in hockey.

We’re delighted that these awards are named and sponsored by people particularly significant to the club. Jack Rose and Dorothy Cook.

Although Jack is sadly no longer with us he was one of many coaches at Blackheath who supported the progression of young players. A beautiful potted Rose bush sits on the veranda at our former Clubhouse in Rubens Street in Catford on the very spot Jack would sit in his later years and watch the mighty club do battle. His legacy is also present with the generous support of his son Andy Rose and his Grand Cru Co company whose financial sponsorship promotes that to this very day. It also looks set to continue into the future with Jack’s grandson Hector demonstrating impressive hockey talent in our U8s.

Dorothy Cook was the mother of our Ladies Club Captain who passed away last year. She was a keen and able hockey player and dedicated much of her life to the encouragement and development of young people in Sport particularly hockey. She taught Angela to play

The Jack Rose Rising Star Award - Ollie Greenhead
This young man is most definitely a star rising. Making the move from another club is often daunting but he has thrown himself into his hockey and this club with unfaltering loyalty and commitment. He has played for the club at U16 Level and for the Men’s 3s and Heathens. He has trained almost every week, sorted his availability with the help of his 'support team', who have also come to every match he has played in, he has been very easy to skipper, listening to the players around him and stepping up when he has needed to. All this while training for and playing school hockey too. His improvement over the season has been huge.  Nothing seems to phase him, and by starting to play for the club at just 14 years of age, against some feisty opposition, he has been a good example of what playing for us is all about, hard work, dedication, listening & learning but above all having fun and enjoying hockey! He will be a star at the club for years to come!

Dorothy Cooke Rising Star - Ana Lyons
Ana has shown passion, dedication and the ability to work hard to develop her skills as an upcoming goalkeeper. From school matches Ana has worked her way to playing for the U14’s and playing for the Ladies 4’s since January and she is hoping to get through to the Kent DC trials this year.
Ana’s great enthusiasm for Goalkeeping meant she requested her own goalkeeping kit for her birthday present and her Christmas present was tickets to the Super 6’s so she could sit behind the goal and get some tips. Her commitment has been shown by her attendance at Sunday Junior training, her willingness to learn and her ability to always work hard. All this from a teenager who ‘wasn’t really into sport’ but has found a passion in hockey.
Ana is a real Rising Star and I hope that winning this bursary award will enable her to develop her skills even further over the coming year.

The Longley Cup for the Young Volunteer of the Year - Jake Lamplough
This award is for a young volunteer aged 16-25 who is a young leader, umpire, coach or who works behind the scenes supporting the running of the club. They regularly give up their spare time to make a difference to others and without them the club would not be the same.

This award is sponsored by Carmel Longley on behalf of the Longley family in loving memory of her Father: Russell Longley. Carmel is a long standing player, former Captain and loyal member of the Ladies section. Her Father was a passionate sportsman, dedicated volunteer and a strong supporter of youth development. He wholeheartedly supported this in his life and now this can continue in his and Carmel’s own personal connection, dedication and legacy to the club.
So, The winner. This young man has come up through the junior ranks of the club and into the senior teams as an impressive and dedicated player but he has also put in two years worth of hard graft, commitment and time to Coaching for the Junior section. Come rain or shine he has been there on Sunday mornings. Often Umpiring for 2hours or so at a Tournament or taking charge of his own 7-a-side team. He’s not the biggest or loudest character amongst our raucous U18s but his patience, calmness and dependability are exemplary. At a young age he’s already been putting back in what he has received and this commendable effort is a clear example to us all of what can be done and of the type of young person this Club helps to create.

Ladies 4s Player of the Season - Hannah Richmond
This young woman has been the stand out player in terms of ability at Sunday morning Junior sessions and on a Saturday for the Ladies 4s . She lifts the spirits of players and encourages all around her. She’s played extremely well in all her games. Her skills have improved over the season as has her confidence on the ball. It was fantastic to see her moving up from the 4s and playing with the 3s at the end of the season and getting a Player of the Match award too. Very well deserved.

Men’s Highwaymen Player of the Season – Josh Clarke
Another graduate from our successful Junior Section the winner arrived as the replacement for Tony D Cruz who’d been promoted to the Dynamos. He was a young, rangy, quick and skillful player but rather nervous and fearful when facing some pretty agricultural, 16 stone defenders. But he has developed physically, listened to advice from the team and identified and acted on what was good advice and ignored the contradictory rubbish. He is now becoming the real deal. Fast, assertive and a great team player. Only missing one game all season. We may lose him next season to a higher team but the whole squad hope not!
 
Men’s Dynamos Player of the Season – Tom Farrant
A difficult choice for the Skipper with so many impressive young players in his ranks. Most notably in Runners Up: Harry Southgate with an excellent goal Tally and new player Ben Corsie – if only he joined earlier! But from from the outset, the winner has played consistently well. He has filled in at both left and right back as well as in midfield. He has grown in confidence and his tackling and distribution has come on leaps and bounds. Although quiet on the pitch, he allows his hockey to do the talking. He has not had a bad game all season and has made some outstanding contributions to the Dynamos success. Looking back on the season, the Skipper struggles to remember a Saturday where this player did not have an outstanding game. With the quality and caliber of the youth players coming through the ranks, the future is bright for the club.

Ladies President Award – Vicky Pitt

Men’s 5s Player of the Season – Alex Muntus
Special Runners Up mentions to the young guns, James Elliot and Ross Ainley, who both improved week upon week and are very exciting prospects for the future. Plus Adam Hench Mulvanny and Zac for both being physically monumental in midfield.
But in a vote cast far and wide one man stood out. A product of our successful Back To Hockey programme before joining the ranks of our Saturday teams. Solid, calm, skillful, reliable. A Skipper’s dream. Every week he was a rock. The quiet man of the team but a force on it.

Ladies 3s Player of the Season - Rosie Mills
Always positive, enthusiastic and committed. Supports the team even when unable to play due to injury and maintains a calming influence on pitch when all around are losing their composure. A natural 'Social Sec' she helps keep the team cohesive as a unit. Great addition to the club.

Men’s Heathens Player of the Season – Ollie Greenhead
The winner has been exceptional this season and has stood out above the raft of excellent performances. He was the top scorer with 9 goals in 16 appearance and a great number of assists. All from open play and 4 coming in one match. He also had the most man of the matches awarded. His only slip up this season was wearing his shorts the wrong way round in our league winning match Vs Maidstone, although it could’ve been a cheeky move so the opposition would see our badge as he burns away leaving them for dust! His second award of the evening and justly deserved.

Umpire of the Year - Seneka Jaysinghe
There are many excellent and wonderful Umpires at this Club but without this individual we could have said goodbye to many fixtures from the 2nd XI down. This season this Umpire officiated the Men’s Heathens, Dynamos, Highwaymen and 5s plus Ladies 2s, 3s and 4s. Travelling to home and away games from the other side of London. As one member remarked “He’s worth his weight in Gold!” He is a true Club Legend. A very gracious and giving man. Always a PLEASURE to umpire with an be around. Long may he be associated with our Club in whatever capacity.

Coach of the Year - Mike Benson
Leading the Men’s Wed Club sessions, The Ladies 3s/4s, The Boys U12 Argonauts and assisting with the Girls U14 & U16 plus an extensive program of coaching at the school this Coach has had good success and made an influence throughout the club. Many members are truly grateful for his input and guidance. Although at an early stage in his Coaching career and experience and not a big fan of the cold this Coach still applied himself wherever needed and to whoever asked. Great company, lovely manner and a true disciple of hockey keen to pass on his ideas and help. Sadly he’s no longer on these shores and the Ladies on Monday nights will certainly miss him. He also greatly improved his Spanish whilst he was here with crucial one on one classes.

Men’s President Award – Tim Walters

Men’s 3s Player of the Season - Nick Surry
This player has been an exemplary figure for the 3s this year. Has played nearly every game only missing due to work duties. He has scored 15 invaluable goals, including 4 in one game where he came straight from having finished work at 6am. He scored perhaps one of the best individual reverse stick goals we have seen & definitely goal of the 3s season away at Holcombe. Always putting in fantastic commitment & work rate on the pitch. A well deserved award.

Ladies 2s Player of the Season – Jeanette Grabham

Men’s 2s Player of the Season – Irvine Turner
Having never played for the club or 2s until the start of this season, this lad immediately made a positive impact. His excellent tackling and distribution meant he soon became a regular at centre back, and it has been brilliant to watch his confidence grow from game to game. The amount of nominations he received for this award is testament to the consistent performances he has put in throughout the season.

Ladies 1s Player of the Season – Sally Wallace
For commitment to training and availability. Consistently excellent. Strength and skill in midfield whilst playing. Being our 'Star Baker' with all the cakes she’s made us and helping with match reports. She also coaches the Girls U10s with great success.

Men’s 1s Player of the Season – Chris Harden
The Runner Up is Nathan Bullens. Nate battled with James for the 1s spot at the beginning of the season but once he stepped up from the 2s he has singlehandedly been responsible for the team getting points and progressing in the Cup. Guernsey away was a standout performance keeping out a barrage of corners to secure the famous victory.
The winner was voted for this award by the majority of his team-mates. This super, talismanic, passionate, driven, inspirational and fearless Captain has led and played by example. He bagged an impressive 45 goals in his Cup and League campaign finishing as top scorer in the SHL Premier Divisions with 34 goals. With members & players like this we can conquer the world. He’s recently become a Father too so more congratulations are due.

Volunteer of the Year - Karen Stevenson
An award for an individual over 25 yrs of age (the winner just scrapes it) who is a leader, club officer, team manager, umpire or works behind the scenes to support the running/management of the club. Their role is vital and without them the club would not be the same.
There are many, many words to support this award winner and there are also many other members in the club who volunteer in many different capacities, but this woman is in a league of her own! She is unbelievably committed to making every area of the club as successful as it possibly can be. She was instrumental in supporting the introduction of the Ladies’ 4’s team, Umpiring to a very high standard across the whole Club as well as outside including Academy Centre Games, playing Ladies 1’s, whilst still continuing to coach the juniors, attend committee meetings and steer the future direction of the Ladies section. She is a role model for many and deserves, more than anyone I know the title of ‘Volunteer of the Year’. We are very lucky to have her!

Team of the Year – Men’s 5s
It’s worth noting that the bar for this award was set very high this season. As the Dynamos Skipper sits here & sees his 16 game winning streak and impressive 2nd place and promotion only do enough to clinch the Runners Up spot you know the winner is special.
And the winners stats cannot be ignored. Unbeaten in 19 games. Won 14. Drawn 5. Second top scorers and meanest defensive conceding only 17. Won their league and with it promotion by 10 points with a few games to spare. They have been nothing short of magnificent. But beyond the pitch add to this a team full of sociable and likeable chaps who are involved in roles all over the club, plus team members such as Jonny Coleman who regularly Umpire for others, they’re always at the Socials, have a wicked blend of youth and experience and have played the game in the right spirit and with dignity and pride even when playing at Gore Court. A credit to the club and us all. The Team of the Year is Whitney’s Wonders - The Fabulous Fives.

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