Frank is leading the way in the Village 'masked up' and ready to take the festive season on head on despite the challenges and limitations of Tier 3 restrictions. The good news is we're 'out ' of lockdown - the bad news is there are some new restrictions for hockey and we still can't meet up with our hockey family members living outside of Greater Manchester - but hopefully Tier 2 will be round the corner and we can soon ! Catch up with this weeks news !

Hockey is back ...... but with some new 'restrictions' !
After much delay the Government released their new Guidance for the return of grass roots sports and sadly they included some new restrictions. England Hockey issued its revised Guidance for hockey and in particular the impact for those in Tier 3 areas (currently Us!). See the full details of how this impacts us shared earlier this week. All players /parents /Volunteers need to be aware of the key changes:
THC - Return to play - latest details and key changes for hockey at Timperley.

Much is the same as before (Tier 3 /pre lockdown) but there are some key changes including:
- No car sharing (in tier 2 or3) - can only travel in household/support bubble this will be a logistical challenge but we will work to make sure we get as much hockey on as possible
- No Socialising post game ..... we know this is a disappointment but please held us adhere and ensure hockey retains its exemption to play
- changes to rules for Under 18's (travel exemption now only applies to U18 hockey)
- Return to previous guidance on spectators social distancing, Rule of 6 and limited to 30
- The Bar remains closed at the club and other than toilets (remember to bring a face covering to enter the building) there is no access to the building. There will be a takeaway service (order on decking) teas, coffees etc and food on Saturday til 1pm.

Lets not let any of this spoil the hockey and lets enjoy getting back to playing and training in what ever form it takes ! For now we have games in Tier 3 to keep us occupied and the leagues (and EH ) will be reviewing how we navigate around the travel restrictions.

England Hockey has stressed how critical it is we all follow the guidance as there is a real risk we could face the exemptions (allowing us to play) being removed for the whole sport - so we all need to make this work as its still better than having a blanket ban on playing.

Thanks to all our captains and Covid Support team members who joined two Zoom briefing calls with Fozzy on Thursday to get back up to speed with everything needed to make hockey Covid Safe - we have 37 people join in and you can support them by following the guidance this weekend.

See our THC Return to Hockey Info Hub - resources and information forour THC Guidance documents, check lists and Information for Visiting Teams.

Hockey this weekend / week!
We've games on but sadly some opposition have dropped out so we're down to 7 mens (3s - 7s) and 3 ladies (4s - 6s) and Badger /Beavers games too, and M2's run out as oppo cancelled late yesterday. Thanks to Nick Court (Umpire Co-ordinator) and all the whistlers who are raring to go this weekend with thermal at the ready !

Great news for our young players is that ACADEMY TRAININIG is back from 11am Sunday - frost permitting! Please respond to Pitchero invite for training sessions and do not come down unless you have done this so we can manage Covid Safe limits on the pitch. If it is frosty overnight and the pitches are frozen / unfit we will post an update in all the usual places - website/pitchero, facebook and twitter - but fingers crossed we will be on!

Kieran and the captains are working hard to get as many games on as we can next weekend (12th Dec) too - so dont forget to update your Pitchero availability !

Tuesday Training restarts for ALL GROUPS on 8th December - again make sure you respond to Pitchero invites so we can manage player:pitch covid ratios. Academy London Group start at 17:30.

Join in our Wednesday Fitness Sessions .....
Something to blow the cobwebs away, get some fresh air and out of the house ! All welcome, players, parents and friends join Rick Poole on the Green Pitch on a Wednesday morning for 10 weeks from 9th December - pay as you go £5 a session. See full details.
Winter Fitness Sessions at TSC with Rick Poole

Supporting our wider local community - Food Bank Collection
This year we are running a collection at the club to support those in our local community - see details of our Trafford South Food Bank Collection including the items they are really short of. Currently the collection if planned to run until 20th December and the collection boxes are in the main foyer to the club.

Stay warm and safe - wufflers and a few bobble hats are back!
Find out more about the new limited edition TSC Wufflers - £12 ! ideal to stay warm and use as a face covering !

We've also got hold of ten of our black and blue bobble hats from the supplier - so if you want to snap one up get in quick ! Go to
THC Bobble Hats - £15 (only 10 available)! to get yours !

12 Miles of Christmas Charity Walk
The Mens 1's and friends (contact Dave Halkyard if interested in joining in or supporting this cause) are getting their walking boots on again on 12th December as part of the Resilient Nutrition Walking Home For Christmas fundraiser to support our ex-military. Follow the link to support https://www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com/teams/timperley-hockey

News from Timperley Sports Club
See all the wider club news and including more fascinating insights into our long history in TSC Bluesletter No. 7 - out now !

...Looking ahead to this week .... whats occurring ....
We'll be sharing details of the plans for all our festive hockey stating on Tuesday 15th December and running through to Sunday 3rd January for all ages ! This will include details of how to sign up so we can manage numbers within the covid restrictions.
SAVE THE DATES !
- Tuesday's - 15th, 22nd and 29th December
- Weekends - 19th December, 20th December (Academy), 27th December and 2nd /3rd January

Look out too for the launch of our Timperley Hockey Fundraising Festive Draw - organised by Haroon Bangee to bringing some super prizes (and do get in touch with if you have prizes to donate ), buy tickets online and help us hit our target of raising £1,000 to help fund hockey this season. The Draw will also be eligible for £4£ match funding so help us make it £2,000 with a couple of clicks !