#HockeyFamily epitomises what’s great about our sport and the people involved at all levels of the game past and present. The last week, whilst one of mixed emotions, has shone a spotlight on what it means to be part of the #hockeyfamily.

On Tuesday we heard the very sad news of the passing of Dave Cameron, one time academy and Men’s 5’s player and supporter of Timperley – tributes came thick and fast on facebook and twitter from many across our hockey family sharing fond memories of Dave both on and off the pitch. See our news piece and details of a testimonial match being arranged on 24th March in Dave’s memory – contact Alex Morley for details. Our thoughts are with Dave’s family and friends at this time.

Tuesday also saw an amazing act from the wider #hockeyfamily as Bobby Crutchley brought the GB Men’s squad to Brooklands HC as part of a major fund-raiser for Ben Rawson from Denbigh HC who has lost his leg to a rare form of cancer. If you’ve not read about Ben please do and find out about the inspiring young hockey player. Please donate if you can either on line or via your captain who will add any donations to the THC collection.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-rawson

It was also great to see a sea of blue and black at the GB coaching sessions and during the GB v Northern XI match, as our Academy players were out in force with their families along with other THC members. This week’s picture captures some of them passing on THC coaching tips to Henry Weir and George Pinner! Thanks also for all the THC support for Ben Entwisle who played in the match.

This week’s hockey !
At the other end of the #hockeyfamily spectrum its back to business for the Ladies 1’s this weekend with a key home fixture v Wakefield, 12.30pm push back on Saturday 17th February. With only six league games remaining we need that THC 12th Player on the side lines to add every bit of support we can get to help the girls come away with the three points from the game. Both teams have nine points currently, so this is a classic six pointer and another step to retaining our place in the IWHL.

Thanks to this week’s Match Day Sponsor – Ruth Evans former TSC President and Ladies Hockey Chair (and many other club roles!) whose also stewarding on the day!

Sunday we’ve EH Games for the Mixed XI v local rivals Brooklands at 2.30pm and an EH Quarter Final for the Men’s Over 50’s v Wakefield at 12.50pm. Please come down and support both teams get one step nearer to the finals at Lee Valley.

Hockey Socials – change of plan !
We’ve made a slight change to the end of season plans – which we hope will enable more people to get involved in the planned socials coming up

The 2018 Hockey Dinner – There's been a double booking at the Club with the Cricket Section who have booked XL5 on 21st April so we've had to move the dinner. We hope to confirm the date on 20th February but is now likely to be Friday 20th April.
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We’ve a session on Monday 19th February at 8pm to work out the details and format for the event and each senior team is asked to send one person along so we can make the event as inclusive as possible and appeal to our wide #hockeyfamily.

17th March - we’re still going ahead with a social and this will be a great informal way for NWHL and CWHL teams to come back to the club and celebrate the end of their league season with THC hockey mates. We’re going with a green and pink theme as a nod to St Patricks Day and the Paint Altrincham Pink week. They’ll be not charge, everyone is welcome and we’ll be raising some money on the night for cancer charities too.

End of season club mixed 7’s and AGM – 13th May

Men’s Vets Tournament – help spread the word
The annual Men’s Vet’s 11 a side tournament is taking place on Sunday 25th March – we’re a bit light on teams so would welcome anyone with contacts into other Vet’s teams to help spread the word and see if we can get any extra teams signed up. Contact Colin Taylor for more details or pass on any leads. This is a great social day – but also an important fund-raiser for the hockey sector so please help if you can – or contact Colin to see how many THC teams we can muster.

Have a good week’s hockey