This week's update is the hardest I have had to write - its been a week fuelled by so much emotion, highs and lows, heartbreak and joy. The week has shown me and I hope many others, above all else the what it means to be part of a club and a club like ours. Like all families we have disputes, bicker and fall about - but when things really matter we pull together and the love, care and support of all shines through bringing everyone together as one. I hope from this week's tragic news we can maybe put life in perspective a little more often so here's this week's round up:

Kwasi Emmanuel (1996 - 2018)

To mark the passing of a club member, or friend of the club, is always so difficult and effects many in different ways. This Sunday we marked the tragic death of a young man, Kwasi Emmanuel, who spend last season with us. Kwasi celebrated his 21st Birthday with us last October, we baked him cakes, we gave him cards and gifts (including thermal skins for the cold), we took him out and gave him a family birthday many thousands of miles away from his home in Trinidad. As with all our visiting players we embraced him in the heart of the club.

Kwasi came to the club to play in goal for our Men's 1's - the captain of Trinidad and Tobago Under 21's and already with full international caps too. He brought so much more than than his talent as a goalkeeper and contribution on the pitch. His infectious smile and big eyes will be remembered by many, he played hard, he made a massive contribution on the pitch, he brought prayers to the turf on match days, he trained hard, he helped out coaching with: academy; the goalkeepers; at Alty Boys, St Ambrose and Welly Rd; he helped at Trafford Schools Tournaments, and umpiring club, school and Salford University matches and he was of course known to many in the clubhouse. for getting to grips with life behind the bar, popping into the kitchen on the scrounge for some food and traversing the area on his bike. Kwasi embraced his season as our guest in every way possible - making many deep friendships and touching so many across the whole club. We could not have asked for more of a guest player.

It is perhaps these qualities stirred that so much affection, love and emotion on Sunday when hearing the news of his tragic death. He collapsed having had a convulsion, he was unable to be revived by medics and died shortly after. We now understand he died of a un-diagnosed heart condition as details slowly filter through. We have sent our heartfelt condolences to Kwasi's family, friend and Trinidad and Tobago hockey community.

On Sunday evening many members were able to come together from across the club to remember Kwasi. Standing on the Blue pitch on Sunday evening with friends from across the hockey section, all ages, families, new, not so new, men and women stood together to remember this young man who came to mean so much to us in such a short time. The support shown by so many to each others was overwhelming and I would like to thank Albert for leading us in remembering Kwasi as a player, person and fellow Trinidadian, so much of their lives and histories inter-twinned.

As well as the club we have had so many messages of support from across the #hockeyfamily from clubs far and wide, players, umpires and of course club members. The Club was also mentioned in the Trinidad press
https://newsday.co.tt/2018/07/16/former-tt-u-21-hockey-captain-kwasi-dies/

Over the coming days and weeks we will work through how best as a club we wish to remember Kwasi. Our thoughts are with everyone effected and his family and Trini hockey brothers. Kwasi would want us to talk about how we feel and do what binds us all together the friendship and shared passion for our sport. Let's support those feeling much pain and be stronger as people, teams and a club for having known Kwasi - albeit for such a short time.

EH Summer Championships Finalist !

The week also brought with it hockey successes too - something Kwasi would have delighted in as his passion to work hard and play the best you can. Our Ladies 30's took to the Blue Pitch in Sunday only hours after hearing the news of Kwasi's passing and played their hearts out in baking heat in the Semi Final of the EH Summer Masters Championship against Bridgenorth HC. The girls came out 7 - 0 winners and are in the Final on Sunday 29th July v Wapping Women's Over 30's and congratulations to Leonnie and Cath on leading the side.

The final is being played at Old Loughtonians Hockey Club (near Chigwell, London) and links in with the Vitality Women's World Club just down the road at Lee Valley Hockey Stadium (Queen Elizabeth, Olympic Park). We'll share the push back time once we get final details so if anyone is able to go and support it would be really appreciated by the squad.

Thank you to everyone who supported the team and came along for the minutes silence for Kwasi and for the girls in doing what Kwasi would have wanted most and playing their hearts out and getting the win.

EH Futures Cup

We were also delighted to hear on Friday that two Timperley players have been selected to play at the EH Futures Cup.

Ben Entwisle (U17) and Oliver Evans (GK) (U15) have both been selected to play for the Pennine Puma's at this years tournament taking place at St Alban's Hockey Club 22nd - 25th August. We wish Ben and Oli every success at this year's tournament that forms one of the main elements of selection the England National Age Group Squads (NAGS) for Under 16 and 18.

Our new Coach, Mark Talbot, will also be at Futures Cup as part of the coaching team supporting the Welsh teams (Celtic Jaguars) taking part.

Summer League - drawing to a close

The Women's league finishes this week (Tuesday 17th July) with finals night and the Men's League finishes next Wednesday (25th July). The leagues have grown over since we started them a couple of years ago and its great to have 30 teams playing a week across the two nights. Both finals nights have been pushed back one week due to the football World Cup

Thanks to again to our organisers Cath Thompson and Will Tobin. Jackie Lord el supremo and all the umpires and helpers on the night.

Summer Hockey Camps

Times ticking and the school holidays are just around the corner ! On line payments are now live for both of our Hockey Camps 1st - 3rd August and 28th - 30th August. Follow link for more details on how to book and pay

http://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/news/august-hockey-camps-online-bookings-now-open-2324254.html

The Power of Sport

The Club are hosting a really worth while event this weekend and we hope members will help spread the work and share a bit more about the Golden Games with friends and family. Supported by a great charity - Sporting Memories Foundation - this initiative is a show case and opportunity to help those over 50 affected by loneliness, depression or dementia to come along to watch or take part of a wide range of sports.

See full programme for the event on Sunday 22nd July from 10.00am - 4.30pm
http://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/news/golden-games-at-timperley-sports-club-22nd-july-20-2324268.html

...and finally .....

As one World Cup closes another is due to open with the Vitality Women's World Cup staring in London on Saturday 21st July with England v India at 2pm. Games will be televised and England Games will be shown at the Club. If not please ask the bar staff to turn the telly over. We'll be posting more details later in the week so check back on the website. We're also running a sweepstake so get your ticket at Summer League this week.

Women's World Cup Hockey

You may also spot some new (second hand) goals on the Green Pitch the club and hockey section have acquired - they'll be refurbished over the summer, painted, repaired and blue nets added to bring them into use as the no.1 set of goals on the Green Pitch. Please do not use until they have been repaired. Thanks to Mark Worsley for sorting transportation.

It was also good to see some great pictures particularly of Pat Jones (GK) and coverage of our recent Men's 1 game v Barbardos Hockey - if you've not see the coverage take a look at the coverage on https://www.facebook.com/BarbadosMensNationalHockeyTeam/

Take a minute to think of Kwasi, and if you didn't know him take time to think about the positives of the friendships and what it means to be part of a club - a club of people who when it matters most show how deeply they care and support each other.

Shelagh