Welcome to our new Club Welfare Officer

We welcome Louise Leyland who is taking over our important Club Welfare Officer (CWO) role with immediate effect. Louise will be working with the coaching team and across the club as we update our safeguarding programme in line with recent England Hockey developments, and continue in our preparation with our Talent Centre work.

Louise’s contact details are on the club website and anyone can contact her via the club confidential email here (cwo@winchesterhc.co.uk). And if you are a Coach or Team manager and need to get your DBS check completed or updated please contact Louise.

We appreciate Louise taking up this role and look forward to hearing from her as we incorporate best practice into our club operation. Please give Louise every assistance possible.

We also take this opportunity to thank Andy H and Catherine McC for their assistance in this role over the last 12 months which is much appreciated.

Andy Craig, Chairman

U16 Boys

EH Plate vs Bournemouth - 2-2 (Shuffles 3-1)

Scorers: Joseph B, Rory F (Rory F, Eddie B, Bertie L)

Winchester travelled to Chapel Gate in the next round of the plate and for once the sun was shining. It was Bournemouth that started the stronger side, with Winchester struggling to get the ball out of defence. However, once the nerves started to settle, Winchester started to play some good hockey and in a moment of possession, Joseph found the back of the net.

In the second half Winchester found their stride. The lead was doubled as Rory lost his defender and ran into the D with a low strike which beat the keeper. All credit to Bournemouth they did not give up - playing some great hockey they found the back of the net. It was now end to end as Winchester looked for a breakthough to put the game out of reach and GK Seb made some acrobatic saves to keep the score line 2-1. But in the dying moments of the match, as it looked to be a Winchester win, Bournemouth ran through the middle and found the back of the net.

Onto shuffles, and Bournemouth took the first. As the striker tried to beat Seb he slipped. Rory wrong-footed the keeper to score. Seb saved Bournemouth second and Eddie made his count. Bournemouth scored on the third attempt but Bertie kept the pressure on Bournemouth at 3-1. Bournemouth needed to score with any chance but Seb stayed strong and Bournemouth ran out of time as the striker failed to get his shot away.

Onto the next round. A great cup encounter with great hockey played from both sides.

U12 Girls

Winchester U12 Girls have started the season in exceptional style. The Blacks (playing in Hampshire U12 Girls Division 1) and the Purples (playing in Hampshire Division 2 North) have both played six matches and are currently unbeaten, scoring an amazing 63 goals between them and only conceding 9. The Yellows, with our less experienced and younger players, are positioned well in third place in Hampshire Division 2 West.

Blacks vs Havant A (3-0) and Chichester 1 (4-0)

Scorers: Venne (2), Aggie (3), Sophie B (2)

Last Sunday saw the Blacks travel to Chichester for a double header against Havant A and Chichester 1. Two wins would see them keep their unbeaten record in the league and remain at the top of the league.

First up were Havant. They made the team work hard from the start and the girls soon realised this was not the same team they had beaten convincingly earlier in the season. There were some good early chances but Havant were quick and effective at the turnover of possession, making the game end to end at times. GK Ella pulled off some great saves to keep them in the game and just before half time Venne scored the first goal which seemed to settle the team. The Blacks were more in control of the second half, a goal from Aggie and a second from Venne meant the score finished 3-0 win to Winchester.

Next up were the home team, Chichester. It didn’t take the Blacks long to go ahead with a good strike from Sophie B. Once more, the defence of Violet, Poppy and Sophie W channelled attacking moves out wide and were strong in their tackles. GK Ella made sure of another clean sheet by coming to the top of the D and pulling off a great save from a 1 v 1 breakaway. Further goals from Aggie (2) and Sophie B saw a comfortable win for Winchester, final score 4-0. The next league matches see the Blacks play second and third place in the league so they will have to bring their “A” game if they want to remain unbeaten….”Go Blacks!”

Purples vs Alton (7-0) and Fleet & Ewshot Harriers (4-0)

Scorers: Daisy B (2), Emily K, Alice W (4), Charlotte (3), Milly P

The Purples showed why they are top of their league with two confident performances on Sunday. The first match was against Alton B and the girls quickly got an early goal from Daisy B. With some lovely passing and team play it wasn’t long until Emily K sneaked a ball past the Alton keeper. Alice W then slotted away two more for the girls to be 4-0 up at halftime. With the ever reliable defensive duo of Florence P and Flossy B, any breakaway attacks were coolly dealt with, which enabled the midfield of Isabella P, Milly P and Charlotte C to keep the pressure on Alton. Daisy B got her second goal of the game and Charlotte rounded off the Winchester girls’ win with two more goals, one of which defied goal line angles!! Must not forget Ella in goal who pretty much had nothing to do but was there when required to keep her third clean sheet having played for the Blacks in the morning. 7-0 to Winchester.

The second match against Fleet & Ewshot Harriers was a bit more challenging against a stronger side who had a couple of players who made the Winchester girls work harder for their win, but again some great team work in both defence and attack saw Winchester girls win 4-0 with goals from Alice W x 2, Milly P and Charlotte C.

Yellows vs Romsey 1 (2-5) and Andover Shooters (0-5)

The Yellows have been growing in confidence but Sunday saw them play in two tough matches, against Romsey 1 (who are top of the league) and Andover Shooters. They battled hard and in the first game scored a couple of lovely goals against Andover, but unfortunately lost 5-2. As expected, Romsey 1 were a strong side who capitalised on the Yellows’ inexperience and despite some fantastic tackling, the Winchester girls lost 5-0. A big hand goes to Eleanor in goal who is playing up from the U10's, she was player of the match against Romsey and as always was battling hard to keep the goals out. Despite these two losses they remain in third place in the league.