Congratulations to the Men's 1 and 2's continue their unbeaten runs last weekend. This weekend we have our first home 1st team double header of the season on Saturday 27th October:

- IWHL North Conference - Ladies 1's v Fylde 1's 12.30pm push back
- North premier Division - Men's 1's v Didsbury Northern 1's 2.15pm push back

With no Cheshire Women's Hockey League matches this weekend, and Men's teams playing early, locally or at 4.00pm (Men's 4 and 5's) this is an ideal opportunity to get some great support for the Ladies 1's bag their first home win of the season and for the Men's 1 to continue their unbeaten record.

The bar will be open, try the new bar menu and make a day of it and stay down for the 4pm games and the three live bands performing in the evening including our own whistler Pat Marsden and the Scoobies. Let's get a good hockey turnout and join us for our next informal social. We've also go a blue on blue match at 2.30pm with Badgers v Blue Badgers too !

Good luck to all teams playing this weekend and to Men's 2 on the days longest road trip to Flyde for an 11.30am push back just pipping the Beavers who are away at Deeside.

Thanks to this weekend's Ted Small our Match Day Sponsor - long time supporter of women's hockey at the club and of course the Small Sisters Caroline, Katherine and Rachel. We've three slots available before Christmas for Match Day Sponsors - 3rd November, 17th November and 1st December - it would be great to broaden the number of Match Day Sponsors and muster up some sponsors from any of the teams playing at home of those dates.

Next weekend we have another bumper programme of hockey on Saturday with CWHL back in action and seven EH matches on Sunday 4th November so save the date and come down to support the teams:

O45 Women Home Driffield 13.00
U18 Girls Home Bowdon 14.30
U16 Boys Home Wilmslow 14.30
U14 Girls Home Carlisle 13.00
U16 Girls Away Alderley Edge
U14 Boys Away Harrogate
O40 Men Away Chester

Winter's on its way !

With the clocks going back this weekend (Academy coaching will be on as normal) and the weather getting a tad nippy we'll be updating everyone shortly on our process and policy regarding winter weather and pitches. A reminder for all we continue to play and train through rain, wind (unless presenting a danger) and shine ! The only thing that rally stops us is frozen pitches or snow covered pitches. If in doubt check the website, twitter or facebook for updates - and if in doubt always check before you set off to away games. more details will follow next week - including who have the authority to make the decisions if pitches are fit to play or not.

Rainbow Laces 2018

England Hockey are again supporting the Rainbow aces campaign 17th November to 7th December - we encourage members of THC to support the campaign by wearing rainbow laces in their hockey shoes. Follow the link before for more details and for the link to order rainbow laces for £2.99 and support LGBT people in sport.

Rainbow Laces Campaign - make sport everyones game
Protective Equipment - Facemasks

Many of you may have seen England Hockey has issued a further update recently on use of facemasks at Penalty Corners. The Hockey Committee will be reviewing our approach and policy to the provision of facemasks at its meeting on Monday 29th October in light of the latest EH update and will update

At a recent senior captains meeting we reminded all captains that we encourage and recommend that all players regularly involved in defending penalty corners should consider purchasing their own personal facemask - as they would shin pads, gloves, mouth guards or other protective equipment. This means players can select a shape and model that they feel most comfortable in and look after the mask, keep it clean etc. Many players also don't wish to share masks and this is another reason to consider purchase of your own facemask. We also recommend that all personal facemasks are named - along with other items of kit including sticks.

We currently provide masks currently for Academy teams and managers / coaches are responsible for collecting and returning a set of four masks to the store rooms so that all teams have access to the masks. A number of masks are available for use by senior teams. Teams who currently have more than four face masks in a set must return additional masks to the store room to allow them to be reallocated.

Clubmark

Clubmark is the nationally recognised accreditation scheme for club's and we are currently going through the process of re-accrediting with England Hockey. A big thanks to Steve Davies, former Men's Hockey Chair, and current Umpire who is supporting the hockey committee to complete the review of our policies and procedures to support our
re-accreditation. This is a really constructive process to held review and test our governance and ensure we continue to maintain and keep up with best practice for running a large and progressive club.

Thanks to Steve for his time and support to help complete this important activity and look our for updates over coming weeks as we continue to review and update the policies and processes that make Timperley a safe and enjoyable place to be involved with hockey whatever your age or ability.

Finally, our thoughts go this week who both lost loved ones this week. Jennifer, wife of our Men's 6's Keeper Jon Tipler passed away on Sunday at the Christie, and Fiona Inglis' father passed away at home on Tuesday after a long illness. I am sure as ever our #hockeyfamily will be a strength and support for both Jon and Fiona.

[Photo credit - the hugely talented Dan Vernon]