Another fantastic day for the Club and all involved from players, coaches, parent managers, parents and friends and family who made the trip to Leeds University for last Sundays England Hockey North Regional Finals. We've a solid track record of performing well in the Under 10 and 12 EH competitions over a number of years and the teams involved this year have done us proud and represented themselves and the club with distinction.

The Under 10 Boys were crowned North of England Champions after showing great maturity including winning a shoot out to reach the final. With strong wins at the group stage scoring 13 goals and conceding none the futures certainly looking bright ! With 5 - 0 wins verses Doncaster and then Kirby Stephen the final group game was a mere 3 - 0 win over Preston. The Semi Final v Harrogate stepped things up as the goals couldn't find the back of the net and ended in a 0 - 0 draw. Down to flicks and cool as cucumbers the lads romped home 2-0 to reach the final. With goal scoring heads back on the lads beat Kirby Stephen 7 - 0 to lift the title

The Under 10's Girls also won through the group stage beating Thirsk, Preston and Penrith and came through the semi final as 1 - 0 victors verses Kirby Stephen to reach the final verses local rival Chester and narrowly missed out on making it a Timperley Double and came away having done themselves proud as North of England Runners Up.

This is a great achievement for all involved. Sadly the Regional's is the final round of the Under 10's competition with no National Finals at this age.

In the Under 12's competition the winner and runners up go through to the EH National Finals adding to the excitement and drama of this next age group. Our Under 12 Boys came through the Group stage and were looking comfortable in the Semi Final 1 - 0 up with four minuted to go to have victory snatched in the finals minutes by Deeside pipping the blues to the place in the final 2-1.

Thanks to all the coaches who put in the hours week in week out from September, along with extra sessions mid week to prepare for the finals, and our coaches on the day Alex Woods, Anna Mawby and Albert Marcano and the Parent Managers, Nat Scott and Sarah Manson and all the supporters who travelled to leads and to our young players.

Planning for 2018-19

Yes the season's not even over and we're already in the thick of planning for next season. A review session has been held with the senior coaches to look at what went well and what we could improve on for next season. Following Jamie Buxton's decision to stand down from his role as Ladies 2's Coach and Club Club to have a break and hopefully play a bit more now he's been rebuild with new hips, we have advertised this week for a Club Coach. Big thanks to Jamie for his contribution to the club overall and the Ladies and he'll be continuing to coach and support the Men's Over 50s as they head to the EH Finals next weekend. Mark Worsley has also confirmed that he is unable to commit on Saturday's next season but will remain involved at mid week training. So we are looking at a range of options of how we cover both club and 2nd team coaches on a Saturday.

A review is also underway of the Academy coaching and organisation to again build on strengthens but also improve a number of areas that haven't worked as well as we'd have liked this season. Combined with the senior review we are looking at the coaching from the youngest to the oldest and how we best approach this for all levels. Junior development is key to the future success, as is academy player transition to senior hockey, and the development and reaching full individual and team development irrespective of age.

The Ladies 1 have also held their review of the 2017-18 session with an interactive session and questionnaires. The Men's 1 will be doing the same shortly. Once we feed all this in along with reviewing coach applications and other volunteers and coaches coming forward for next season we will be able to share plans for pre-season future plans. Building on the one coaching team concept and how our five senior coaches work together will be central to the approach.

Don't forget to have your say in our THC Survey - its closes on Monday 23rd April 2018 so don't miss out. Click here for the THC Survey We've only had 66 responses so held us smash the 100 and have your say !

We are also looking to strengthen our squads so if you know of players that could be an asset to THC please contact Albert, Savs, Kieran or Cuey to share details and help us build on our reputation and facilities and attract new players to help keep us as one of the top clubs in the North.

Other News

Don't forget its the Timperley Sports Club AGM on Thursday 26th April 2018 - 7,15pm - 7.30pm. There will be a session on the future of the club and development of our facilities so do come along to find out more. If you haven't received an email with papers and the agenda (check spam boxes) please email timperleyhc@gmail.com

We've a busy weekend coming up too with

- Former members lunch on Friday 20th April followed by our 2018 Dinner in the evening (and we have two tickets available is anyone would like to attend)

- Saturday 21st April Alex Morley is running the Timperley (lower divisions) Tournament at the club with 10 teams, so come down and help Alex run the day, support, watch some hockey or even play ! Saturday evening is the 200 Club Draw and cricket social to kick the season off with live band, hockey folks welcome to come along.

- Sunday its back to normal at the Academy 11.00am - 12.30pm and then Albert will be heading off to Lee Valley as coach of AGSB for two National Schools Finals this week - at Under 14 and 16 and we wish all the Timperley Boys involved in this all the best.

Finally, it is with great sadness that we have to share the news that Glynis, the wife of our long standing THC member and Treasurer,Malcolm Tucker, passed away earlier this week. After a long period of poor health it was confirmed last week that Glynis' cancer had returned and was terminal and she slipped away surrounded by family a few days later. Our thoughts are with Malcolm and his family at this difficult time and we know our #hockeyfamily will show any support we can.