As spring is upon us as we enter March and the final few weeks of league hockey for the 2018-19 season - and the homeward straight for campaigns that started way back in September. Hockey doesn't stop now of course and long gone are the day of hockey being a winter sport played September to March ! Hockey at Timperley continues all year and as a sport hockey offers something for everyone throughout the year ! Find out more about Summer Hockey in later in this week's update.

We also had fantastic support at training this week to turn Timperley Training Pink as part of Prevent Breast Cancer's Paint Altrincham Pink - thanks to everyone who bought a TSC fundraising pink t-shirt (still available from the bar), who made a donation and donned pink for the night. Large collection tins are on the bar for one big push this weekend to raise funds for Prevent Breast Cancer and we hope as many teams as possible will wear pink for their pre-match warm up's. This week's photo shows a top turnout from the 1's training session this week all looking pretty in pink ! The Academy will be turning pink on Sunday too - so wear something pink or pick up a TSC Pink T - Shirt !

On the Turf

So near - but so far was the story of last weekend for most of our teams in contention for promotion or cup success. The Ladies 1 had the heartbreak of conceding a goal on 70 minutes in their game against Leeds in the National League - think about the timing and the final whistle blew immediately after the restart. Having lost Kate Goalen in the warm up to a ball to the head injury the squad of 13 dug deep and showed some true Cheshire Grit and a further week on week improving performances. This week the girls head to Yorkshire to play Ben Rhydding.

The Men's 1's headed to league leaders last week for another high scoring game and whilst a spectacle of fine hockey for the neutral the lads lost 5-4 teeing up a real thriller of a six pointer this Saturday at Stockport Road (12.30pm push back) verses local rivals Brooklands. The Blues remain in the 4th promotion slot with a five point buffer with 5th placed Brooklands. Come down and support the lads and lets get the 3 points and go into the final four games hopefully 8 points clear of 5th place.

Our second XI's are also still completing for promotion with the league restructure - the Ladies 2's could only manage a draw away at Wrexham but stay in the 6th Promotion slot, 2 points ahead of 7th place Didsbury, and they head to Oldham tomorrow. The Men's 2's were back to winning ways clocking up another six goals to bring the season's league tally to 81. So something for coach Ed Stropek to challenge the guys to hitting 100 league goals. They stay top of the league on goal difference with Flyde in 2nd slot.

After a good start the Ladies 2 just couldn't convert some positive play and chances in the EH Championships last Sunday v. Bowdon eventually going down 2-0 but some positive play . So we're now down to three sides left in the EH senior championships and the Ladies Over 35's head back down the M6 to play Sutton Coldfield on Sunday in Tier 2.

Academy News

We hosted a Friday Night Cup game this evening as the Under 16 boys drew with Chester and next week its the turn the Under 16 Girls to play an EH evening game at 7.15pm.

It's certainly all go in the academy for our younger players as well as we hosted our first Under 10 Tournament on Sunday with 10 teams joining in including four Timperley teams. Thanks to Rory Gibson one of our Academy parents who took on running the event and to all the parents / coaches , parent supporters and our new batch of Young Leaders who did an excellent job umpiring and running the tournament table.

Many of our young players also have England Hockey JAC tournament over the next few weeks and we have the Cheshire Mini's coming up for the Under 10 and 12 boys and girls teams on 10th March - a highlight of the season and a big thank you to all the coaches involved in helping the four Timperley teams prepare including extra mid week training sessions.

It was also good to see three of our older academy players, all who play senior hockey too, playing at Lee Valley in the National Schools Girls Finals for Altrincham Girls Grammar School. A visit to Lee Valley is a great experience for any player and especially young players who we are sure gained much from the experience - congratulations to Roisin D Josie, and Phoebe P who also picked up a silver medal playing in the Tier 2 final.

Summer Hockey

Dates are now getting firmed up for all our annual summer tournaments starting with the Men's Vets on 7th April. Summer 7's Leagues will run for women starting Tuesday 14th May and for men from Wednesday 15th May. dates will be confirmed shortly for the en's lower league tournament, ladies vets 7's and Mixed 7's.

We will be finalising entries in the EH Summer Championships with the women and men entering Over 30's sides, (the women are reigning champions!) and looking likely the over 50 women will enter too. If any over 40's men or women wish to enter a team please let us know asap.

In the clubhouse !

This weekend tickets go on sale for our 2019 End of Season Dinner - A Night at the Timperley Oscars on Friday 26th April - see news item for more details. Don't miss the early bird tickets at £27 buy via the website or from the bar http://www.timperleyhockeyclub.com/news/announcing-the-2019-thc-end-of-season-dinner-frida-2402128.html

Last year it was a sell out so don't delay or miss out on tickets and lets have another great night with our own #hockeyfamily

On the business of running the club and making sure we continue to run and develop our club - still one of the best set up's in the North - we have two more Drop In sessions on Thursday 7th March and Wednesday 20th March if you have queries or want to know more about the TSC EGM on 28th March.

On a light note we have three more sessions of the excellent Caribbean inspired aerobic and fitness sessions - We Sweatin - led by Akeem on Thursday's. The sessions are suitable for all abilities and from the elderly lacking fitness Hockey Chair to 1st team players ! Its good fun too and only £4 a session come along on Thursday 7th,14th and 21st March 7.30pm - 8.30pm bring a yoga mat if you have one and a small towel !

Finally, this week a big thank you to this weeks match day sponsor, Dave Litt, who is sponsoring this weekend's game in memory of his Dad a club stalwart who many of will remember well. Raise a glass to Mick over the weekend and thank Litty for his continued support of hockey at Timperley.