The Dunkirk spirit continued to shine through this 'Northern Hockey' this week as we battle awful weather, the challenges of living in a Tier 3 Covid Alert area and more logistics to keep as much hockey on as possible ! We've also got the TSC Ltd AGM on Monday 2nd November - so lets get a good hockey turn out and find out what's on this weekend at the club

#HomeGrown Players do themselves and THC Proud !

Its been a really busy period for our younger members and this week we're going to focus on sharing more about how we're working hard to develop the next generation of hockey players, volunteers and hopefully some future leaders on and off the pitch !

In a right mixed bag of weather Mark Talbot, Albert and Akeem have been running a range of Half Term coaching for small groups and 121's coaching delivering over 60 hours of coaching in addition to our normal programme. These sessions are proving very popular and players are really taking on board the focused learning and progressing in leaps and bounds.

Our Under 18's also have an exemption from the Tier 3 hockey restrictions and are able to travel for Games. This weekend the EH Junior Club Championships start with our U16 Girls heading to Cumbria for a double header v Carlisle and then Wigton -and the Boys U18 have a home draw v Neston at 14:00 on Sunday. Good luck to both teams and thanks to our coaches and parent managers for getting everything sorted ! Our U16 Boys are also sneaking in a helpful friendly on Sunday at 16:00 Brooklands head of their first EH games.

We've also run extra squad training sessions this week for U16 Girls and U16 ad U18 Boys to help the teas spend some time playing together before their Cup games as most players don't play together on a regular basis.

More positive news this week as five of our girls had the opportunity to play in the North West U13 Invitational Tensworth teams at Leeds University in games today - after along with the boys suffering the disappointment of the annual invitational tournament for regional sides being cancelled in the Spring and this week. A great experience for all the girls and congratulations to Tara, Lily, Hannah, Holly and Ruby.

It was also a big week for Wilf Robert (U16) and Oli Evans (U18) who have been up and down to Lilleshall on 3 days for England National Age Group Trails. A great achievement down to the hard hours they put in on the pitch and studying the game off the pitch to have helped them develop and be nominated to attend by their Performance Centres. Congratulations to both and we know you've worked really hard at the trails and given it your all. Both now await news of the next stage of the selection process for the England training squads for the 2020-21 season.

This weekend at the Club ....

We go again with more games to keep everyone playing as much as possible. From next weekend the rejigged fixtures kick in organised by NWHL and CWHL. Still work to do for the Ladies 1.2 and Men's 1's to reorganise games whilst league hockey is limited or suspended. Under18 games continue as normal from next week and the BBB's fixtures start again.

Whilst the Club cant sell alcohol due to the Tier 3 restrictions we are still open for Teas, Coffees and Soft Drinks and Hayley will be down for part of the weekend on Saturday and Sunday offering the full bar menu. Inside tables are on a first come first served basis - so do pop in for a brew and bacon butty or tikka wrap. Its vital we support the services we are offering and can help keep some money coming into the Club.

Reminder we now can't allow any spectators on the pitches unless they are in the same household (or support bubble) as someone involved in the game taking place. Sign in with the Gate Marshalls and remember not to come to the club is you have any covid symptoms, are awaiting a test result, have has a positive test or are self isolating. Help us keep the Club and Hockey Covid Safe......and remember to social distance and follow the rule of six when not playing.

Well done to everyone who got drenched last weekend and hopefully not quite as much rain this weekend ! Its been brilliant to see the 'lets get on with it' spirit and determination of everyone to keep playing and not be put off by Tier 3 restrictions or a bit of rain !

Hockey at Timperley on this weekend

Saturday - 31st October
Blue Pitch
12.15 - Mens 5 v Mens 6
14.00 - M7 v Sale
16.00 - M4 v Wigan

Green Pitch
13.00 - Beavers games
14.30 - Badgers games
16.00 - Ladies 1 v Ladies 2

Sunday - 1st November
11.00 - 12.30 - Academy training (both pitches)
14.00 - U18 Boys v Neston (blue)
16.00 - U16 Boys v Brooklands

Other news

We need some really good hockey support for the TSC Ltd AGM and Director Elections Follow link for full details. The Ballot to Elect Directors to the Board closed at 22:00 on Sunday 1st November so don't miss your opportunity to vote for Board members to run the club. If you'd like to come along to the AGM via Zoom make sure you sign up using the online form and you'll be sent the meeting link.

We've also 15% off and free postage on kit orders this weekend - so order by 23:59 on 1st November from Express Items (and new items and stock available) or last chance for Xmas Deliveries on the Made to Order range. We've a new delivery of Blue THC Socks arriving this weekend too - for purchase direct from THC.

Finally, for those who may not have heard Pat Marston's funeral will be on Wednesday 11th November 2020. Due to the Covid restrictions the service at the church and crematorium is by invitation only. There will be the opportunity for friends of Pat to pay their respects at the Club around 12.30pm when the cortege will pass through the Club. The Club gates will be shut from 12.30 so if arriving by car please arrive by 12.20 to park in the Wood Lane car park. Final details will follow.