Lots happening on and off the pitches this week - including some key dates for your diary as we start to plan the social side of the season and roll out more opportunities as part of our #GrowOurOwn volunteer programme !

Hockey heads up !
Last weekend brought double disappointment as both first teams lost of to Durham University in the home tie league double header. Both Timperley team had good chances to score but just didn't have those final touches to put both games away comfortably. This Saturday (10th) the Ladies 1's make the short hop up the road to play Brooklands Poynton at 11.45am and the Men's 1 head over the Pennines to play Wakefield also at 12noon. If you're not playing or are able to go along and support this would e a great support for either team.

Double Century's
Two teams have now hit 100 goals for the season which is a great achievement by any standard ! Congratulations to the on form Men's 2's who topped the 100 league goals for the season with a whopping 1 - 16 away win at Crewe. The lads have now scored 106 league goals and a goal difference of +86 and now sit three points clear at the top of NWHL Division 3 with a game in hand. A great achievement for coaches Mark Worsley and Nigel Stanhope and all the players and captain Josh Hughes.

The mighty Beavers also topped 108 goals for the season with a 15 - 0 win against Lymm. Brilliant to have so many of our younger players being so confident in front of goal. Congratulations to all the players and coach Danny Higgin and Manager Adam Roberts and all the parents for the unstinting support.

At this time of the season we also review the academy players and will be moving some players up an age band or to gain a taste for senior hockey. This is part of the natural cycle of players involved on a Saturday moving through the system.

EH Drama !
No not another new TV channel showing endless repeats - but an average EH Sunday at THC ! After a drawn out inspection on the part frozen pitches the games were declared on and we were given two intense matches both full of drama on Sunday 4th February - and both showing the full spectrum of emotions a game of hockey can generate!

The Under 18 boys responded to Albert's new formation and played with focus and determination against Brooklands in the Tier 1 EH Championships. Dominating in the first half and a 1-0 lead, led to more goals and a 3-0 lead only to be over turned by a determined Brooklands who levelled the game in a action packed final 15 minutes that included a flurry of cards. a 3-3 final score did not phase the boys after the recent shoot out victory over Bradford. A calm and assured performance saw the blues take the tie 4-2 in the shoot out - the boys are now in the Quarter Finals of the Tier 1 championships.

Our victorious Over 35 ladies from last season took on Bowdon in another end to end and action packed game. There may have been an age difference with the boys but both teams showed as much passion and commitment for the game. 1 -1 at full time gave the supporters their second shoot of the day. This time the first rally finished 3 -3 and we moved to sudden death - and it was to be heartbreak for the ladies as Bowdon snatched the tie. Always a difficult way to go out of any competition - but the afternoon did showcase hockey at ts best for all ages and genders playing side by side in a great club and family based environment ! Not many sports off this !

Save the date - 17th March - the big hockey do !
The club is booked for our traditional end of season do (even though hockey is now a year round sport) on Saturday 17th March 2018. The 'Dinner Dance' has evolved over the years and we'd like to make this year's event as one to remember and to attract as many people as possible from across all the senior teams and from our volunteers and supporters / parents.

So we're seeking one person per senior team and some of our academy parents to join us on Monday 12th February at 8pm to shape up the format and theme for the night. captains will be putting the call out this weekend for someone from their team to come along to this short session so the what the event's all about (a celebration of the hockey year at THC) and how we can appeal to as many players, volunteers and supporters as possible.

So book the night out NOW and let's make this another THC event to remember.

#GrowOurOwnVolunteers

Regrettably, due to lack of demand we have had to cancel next weeks Quick Sticks Leadership course. Caroline Small if looking at other potential opportunities for bite sized learning and and introduction to the QS and In2Hockey Rules - more details will be posted shortly. These are great ways for aid personal development and grow skills and confidence and give back something to hockey too through volunteering so we ope more young players may consider in the future

For volunteers coaches, parents managers, captains and volunteers working with young people we also have a Safeguarding course on Monday 26th February, 7.30pm at the club. Please contact Caroline Small or Nisha if you are able to attend.

The whistlers Level 1 Umpiring course is going ahead on Sunday 18th March, again at the club. The course is usually 10am - 4pm and may be attended by those aged 14+ interested in developing their umpiring skills. We need to get names and numbers to England Hockey asap so please email timperleyhc@gmail.com if you are interested. Attendees will need to have completed the short online Umpiring course and test before the course - this is easy to do, can be done in bite sized chunks - so at times that suit you !

EH Next Round Games
Whilst it was disappointing that the Ladies Over 35's lost out on another trip to Lee Valley we still have a number of teams in EH competitions ! The latest draws and fixtures are:

Sunday 18th February
Men's Over 50's v Wakefield 12.50 push back (Quarter Final) - the gents are hoping to make it another step nearer to a return visit to Lee Valley !

Mixed XI v Liverpool Sefton or Brooklands 2.30pm push back - Tier 1

Under 18 Girls v Formby - push back to be confirmed - Tier 2

Sunday 11th March
Under 18 boys v Doncaster or Leek - tier 1 Quarter Final

Other news and updates

This Sunday, the club will be hosting the North of England Men's Grand Masters trails for the over 60's, 65's and 70's age groups - our own John Donnelly will be gracing the turf and ensuring the trialists receive a warm and hospitable Timperley welcome. If anyone can help Umpire (12.30 - 3pm) please let Kieran know asap. Its a great sight to see our academy players coming off the pitch at 12.30pm to be followed on by the Grand Masters - pop down and watch if you can.

Next week we should be announcing the dates of our series of spring / summer hockey tournaments and summer leagues with the first event being the Men's Vets tournament on Sunday 25th March.

This week we also have out latest Academy Newsletter published and the latest Ladies 1's post match video interview ! See main news page for details.

If you’ve not been able to get match tickets for the GB Men v North Invitational side on 13th February the game will be live streamed. See Brooklands HC website for details. Match tickets are sold out but there are still some places left on the coaching sessions (including a match ticket).

Finally, we are delighted to welcome a young Irish touring team to the club on Saturday from the Dublin area. Malahide Fingal Hockey Club Under 14 Girls will be playing our Under 14's at 2.30pm on the green pitch. We'll also be hosting a game against a Dutch Under 16 touring side just before Easter.

Have a good hockey week and weekend!