Enjoy the Christmas Break and look forward to 2019

Dear All,

The first half of the season has seen some excellent hockey with mixed results, as usual of course. Our U16 Boys Indoor Team are to be congratulated for reaching the National Super Six's Final on the 19th and 20th January 2019: Our best wishes to them and our thanks to Richard Penrose for his dedication and support of the Squad.

Our Lady's have made an impressive start to the season headed up by the 1st XI who remain at the top of Division 1 at the half way stage. Please give them maximum support during the next three months as they attempt to win the league and gain promotion. Our various Men's sides continue to experience very mixed results with the 1st XI starting well but finding every other team in their league is equally anxious to obtain promotion to the National League at the end of the season. By contrast the 3rd XI find themselves at the top of their league despite 3 points being docked due to an administrative error! The Wanderers continue to enjoy their hockey regardless of results it would seem going by the match reports - they have too much fun!

As many of you will know, the Executive decided to canvass Member's thoughts and ideas about the Club by circulating the England Hockey Survey. Impressively, 187 of you made a return. Thank you all so much for your time but now someone (probably me in the first instance) has to sit down and analyse the results so that the Executive can decide what the most critical areas are for reform and change. I am hoping that towards the end of January we will be in a position to let you know the overall results and most importantly, what actions will be agreed to remedy any outstanding areas of concern or for further improvements on and off the pitch.

2019 is the Centenary of the WHC Lady's who played their first match in 1919. We will be celebrating all year long no doubt and probably into next season as well so please join everyone at the April 2019 Club Dinner which is being organised by your Club Captain, Holly Cameron. If you wish to offer any help, please contact Holly.

It is intended to hold another Vijay special Curry Night during February 2019 so please watch out for details and make sure you have tickets. Whether we have a quiz depends on our Quizmaster Extraordinaire but perhaps someone should ask him first!?

Many thanks to all of you who contribute to the Club which includes parents, coaches, umpires, drivers, carers, first aiders, team captains, players and the Executive all of whom work tirelessly to make sure we enjoy our hockey. Have a Wonderful Christmas and if I do not see you during the remaining days of 2018, I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Graham Beck
Chairman