The 2006/7 season is now over and that's official!

Yes - the 2006/7 season really is over and before it fades completely into the background I begin by thanking all members who attended the recent AGM and I congratulate the Mixed team, so expertly captained by Kathryn Hinsley and David Francis, for doing the Club proud in reaching the final of the national mixed trophy. After edging out a very good Staines side in their semi-final clash at Old Loughtonians HC they had an even tougher final the next day against Phoenix and only a poor ten minutes spell in second half denied them victory.

I remind all members of the Strawberry Luncheon to be held on Sunday 1 July at Gawdy Hall. Please see website (and below) for more details. It is not too late for you to make your decision to attend with family and friends!

At the AGM I gave my chairman's report and I feel it deserves a wider audience - you will not be surprised to read! - so I take the liberty of showing an almost unexpurgated (!) version below.

AGM - 21 June 2007 - Chairman's Report
The reports of the members of the Executive had two purposes - to relieve the captains of giving individuals reports and to spare you all from a long chairman's report! So I will try to do just that while also picking up on a few aspects not naturally covered by the reports bearing in mind I have issued regular Chairman's Chats throughout the season.

As was evident from the reports it was another long and very busy season both on and off the pitch. For the Club to have reached five national finals as well as winning division two of the men's national indoor league was a remarkable achievement unmatched by any other club in the country.

Another success was to have provided hockey for 16 regular Saturday teams and throughout the season to have fielded a total of 28 teams in the various competitions.

I take this opportunity to thank Shirley McAllen for all her hard work as Playing Manager. She is standing down from this role and she will be very badly missed.

We have had an upbeat report from the Finance Manager and have been reminded of the successful social and fund raising events run throughout the season. I take this opportunity to thank Brian Pring and Jose Tibbenham for all their hard work on behalf of the Club

The youth section has had another very successful season and it is impossible to overstress the importance of this side of the Club.

One aspect of the Club not fully covered by the reports is publicity and here our website plays a vital role. It is a superb website and we are indebted to Nigel Bedingfield for his sponsorship and enthusiastic and pro-active maintenance of the site. Thank you very much Nigel.

Other aspects of the Club not fully covered by the reports include maintenance of the grounds, equipment & sales, fixtures and bar and here I thank in no particular order David and Philip Cobbald, Andrew Longe, Kirstin Cumming, James Smith, Irene Bicker and Robert Stimpson for all their hard work.

Over the years the Club has striven to upgrade its facilities on a regular basis and this season has been no exception with the planning and financing of the clubhouse improvements which will be carried out before the start of next season. In addition the upgrading of the pitch floodlights began last week and is now almost complete. I thank David Cobbald and Andrew Longe for all the time and effort they have put into these projects over the past few months.

Another important project has been our successful bid to obtain Clubs 1st designation for the Club and I thank Nick McAllen for heading the team responsible for this success. Our bid entailed an enormous amount of work and I'm very grateful to Nick and all other members of the Club who were involved. And talking of Nick I cannot stress how much he does for the club. We are very lucky to have him.

I take this opportunity to thank all other officers and officials of the Club for their friendship and work throughout the season. A club such as ours requires the active participation of many members and in this direction we are very fortunate. I also thank all other friends of the Club for their support.

In addition I thank the small group of members whom I have bothered on a regular basis. For some it must feel like a daily basis! They include Andrew Longe, David and Judy Cobbald, Jose Tibbenham, Philippa Taylor, Kirstin Cumming, Nick McAllen, Nigel Bedingfield, Robert Stimpson and Daphne Beckett. I am very grateful to them for their patience and guidance.

Notwithstanding that I know the close season is a busy time for several officers I hope all members will be able to take at least a small break from helping us to run the Club - a club of which we are proud to be members.

I conclude by thanking our President, David Alexander, and Deputy President, Irene Bicker, for the enormous support they have given me during the past twelve months.

Mike Denham

At the end of the AGM the President congratulated and made presentations to the following 2006/2007 trophy winners.

Female Club Person of the Year
Jose Tibbenham
This award is given for another season of devoted service to the Club as a member of the Fund Raising & Social, Executive and Finance Committees, a team captain and most importantly as the Club's Treasurer.

Male Club Person of the Year
David Cobbald
Once again he has spent an enormous amount of hours at the Club on an almost daily basis doing vital and often unseen work in connection with the pitches, grounds and general infrastructure of the Club. He has also been closely involved with the current upgrades of the clubhouse.

The Magpie Cup (To mark a season of outstanding service)
Kirstin Cumming
For another season of remarkable devotion to the Club as amongst other things equipment controller, equipment seller, "meeter and greeter" to visiting teams, member of the youth and tournament committees.

Male Young Player of the Year
Carl Sitch
Breaking into the 1st team at the start of the season pushing for the left back role he soon made the position his own. Not only was his defensive work first class his attacking from deep also put the opposition under pressure. Along with his success with Magpies he also represented England U18s at the international tournament at Exeter University over Easter.

Longe Trophy (For outstanding Youth coaching services)
Nigel Wooltorton
This award has been given to recognise his outstanding services to youth Coaching. He has been involved with coaching 3 sessions a week throughout the season and has also helped with running the U11 Girls team. He has also recently Qualified as a Level I Coach.

Leeder Cup (Men's 1st Team Player of the Year)
Andy Hipwell
He moved back to the Club at the beginning of the season after completing his course at Loughborough University. Although playing out of his preferred position as striker he fitted in well at right midfield giving the team many attacking options and many problems for opposing teams. His tally of 24 goals for the season shows how much he got forward at one point trying to chin the ball in resulting in a trip to A&E!

Rushworth Ward Trophy (For outstanding long service)
Shirley McAllen
This is the third time she has won this award, the first being in 1992 season and the second in 1999. Her service to the Club over many years has been quite remarkable evidenced in more recent years by serving as a hard working Playing Manager and captain of the Colts A team. While standing down from both positions it is good to know she is intending to carry on playing.

Betty Whipps Cup (Ladies' 1st Team Player of the Year)
Lucy Hayman
Being voted Player of the Season by her team mates was a fitting tribute for a player who had a tremendous season. The team have been very fortunate to have had such an outstanding goalkeeper who has contributed enormously to the success of the team over many years.

Female Young Player of the Year
Jess Bloom & Hannah Coulson
This award goes jointly to two players. Both players contributed significantly to the 1st team's performance this season and they were a major reason for the U18s reaching the national indoor and outdoor finals.

Congratulations also to Linda Hunter on being made a Vice-President in recognition of her long and distinguished service to the Club.

EuroHockey Nations Championship
18-26 August 2007 (Belle Vue, Manchester)
Have you considered supporting England Women and Men in their quest for the European crown and British Olympic qualification? With the top three sides in each event gaining automatic qualification for Beijing these championships are even more important than ever. If the England teams fail to qualify via Manchester they will have to try again in the early months of 2008 in one of three further qualification events (in Chile, Japan or New Zealand for the men and Azerbaijan, Canada or Russia for the women) in which only the top team from these events will qualify for the 2008 Olympics. Olympic qualification is getting harder and harder as the FIH seeks to give more countries a chance.

Tickets are now on sale for Manchester and are priced from just £5.00. Please buy online from www.eurohockeymanchester2007.com or call 0871 230 9842.

STRAWBERRY LUNCHEON
Sunday 1 July 2007 12 noon
I hope you will be able to support this event which this year is being very kindly hosted by David and Wendy Green at Gawdy Hall, Redenhall.
Tickets (including a drink) are £10 (adults), £5 (children 7 to 12) with children under 7 free.
Please contact
Daphne Beckett (07850 709297)
or David Alexander (01508 530237).

GOLF DAY
Thursday 23 August 2007 – Bungay GC
If you would like to enter a team of four (men, women or mixed) for 18 holes of golf, luncheon and the chance of prizes please contact me (Mike Denham) on 01603 506925

SUMMER MIXED HOCKEY
For regular league players
Mondays 2 & 16 July 7.30pm
Please bring white and coloured shirt
and £3 match fee!

I wish all members, supporters and friends of the Club an enjoyable summer.



Mike Denham (Chairman)
Tel: 01603 506925
E-mail: MDenham975@aol.com
27th June 2007

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www.activenorfolk.org

We hope as many members as possible will be able to get to the AGM at 8.00pm on Thursday 21 June 2007.

This is your chance to raise matters of interest to you or to express some words of praise for the officers and officials who work so hard to keep the Club running!

Harleston Magpies mixed team travelled down to Old Loughts Hockey Club looking to add to their previous success in the mixed competition.

Semi Final
Harleston Magpies 2-1 Staines

Staines surprised Harleston in the first half of a very hot Saturday afternoon with Harleston being pushed back into their own half. Harleston struggled to find their feet and play their style however they did eventually take the lead when Tristan Baynes broke down the right and cross for Angie Wheelhouse to finish in emphatic fashion deflecting the ball past the goal keepers head.

Staines constant pressure was finally rewarded with a goal before they had another disallowed, if it had not been for resolute defending from Iain Martin, Louisa Greenacre, Donna Causton, Glenn Masterson, Leigh Sitch and Amy Tuffs Staines could have gone in with the lead at half time.

Harleston started the second half a lot brighter pushing Staines onto the back foot, with good attacking play down the right from Artemis Clark. Midway through the second half Harleston took the lead at a short corner when Leigh Sitch's shot was deflected off David Ling for David Francis to slot home at the back post. Staines came back strongly but Harleston managed to shut them out, Iain Martin making two vital saves to see them through to the final against Phoenix.

Final
Harleston Magpies 2-3 Phoenix

On another hot after noon the final saw Harleston take on Phoenix the team which knocked them out last year. Harleston started the game a lot better then they did their semi final putting Phoenix under pressure early on, Phoenix did however always look good on the break and fancied their chances of scoring. Harleston were moving the ball well down the left flank well allowing Debbie McAllen and Kathryn Hinsley opportunities to break down the Phoenix defence. With David Ling, Phil Cobbald and David Francis holding up the midfield Phoenix could find now way through.

Gavin Cole was having an inspirational game in midfield getting his reward with a well taken goal on 20 minutes. With Phoenix looking shaky at the back Harleston continued to press and doubled the lead after a cracking ball from Angie Wheelhouse found Gavin Cole in the circle he rounded the goal keeper only to be up ended and Harleston were awarded a penalty stroke. Tristan Baynes held his nerve to slot home and extend Harleston's lead.

The second half saw Phoenix come out fighting taking Harleston by surprise. In the onslaught Harleston failed to regain the midfield area allowing Phoenix to come forward at ease. Ben Allberry scoring Phoenix's first goal from a tight angle with an upright reverse stick shot. Harleston were struggling to maintain possession of the ball and gifted Phoenix a short corner which Ben Allberry slotted home finding the smallest of gaps to slot home in. Harleston were shaken and had no time to recover before Phoenix grabbed their third through John Barrett.

Harleston knew they needed to push forward in search of the equaliser leaving themselves exposed in defence, Iain Martin having to pull off a great one on one save to keep Harleston in the final. With time running Harleston won a corner in the last minute but Tristan Baynes shot hit the post and rebounded to safety.

Phoenix eventually running out winners. Harleston put on a great performance in the final but their hard fought semi final victory finally took its toll in the final.

A Big Thanks to the Youth Committe for a superb helpers dinner on Friday.

Nigel and Susan
imajaz limited

Harleston Magpies Mixed 2-1 Staines Mixed - at Old Loughts

Magpies are through to Sundays Final of the National Mixed Cup.
Goals by Angie Wheelhouse and David Francis helping to clinch a close match.

They now play Phoenix Mixed who beat Ipswich in the other semi final.

Push back 3pm.

'This week's Diss Express, out Friday 8th June, includes team photos of the following Harleston Magpies teams:

Men's seconds and sixths, and Ladies seconds, fourths, fifths and sixths.'

ginger tom & the GOcats
(Rock, Pop cover, 60’s to present day)

This band which includes Harleston Magpies’ members Tracy Baker (vocals), Roy Goodwin (vocals & guitar) and Neville Chubbock (drums) will be playing at

The Black Swan, Homersfield on Friday 15 June at 9.00pm.

Exciting clubhouse and ground developments

I am delighted to announce that the Club’s Board has agreed to further improvements in our facilities. As well as the already announced upgrade of the floodlights on both pitches (in June) the clubhouse balcony and stairs will be replaced in iroko hardwood in early August in addition to the building of a disabled toilet under the balcony and the installation of a stairlift on the main outside staircase. The main staircase is badly in need of replacement and with the balcony and side staircase also showing their age the opportunity is being taken to replace the entire structure thereby saving money in the long run. The stairlift and toilet will plug serious gaps in our facilities and the latter will also include a baby changing shelf – a facility I hope I will not be called upon to use!

Season 2006/7
The season is nearly over – after more than 8 months! There is just one more event to look forward to in what has been another busy and eventful season for the Club and that is the national mixed trophy in which our team plays Staines in their semi-final at Old Loughtonians HC on Saturday 9 June (1.30pm) and, hopefully, Ipswich or Phoenix the next day in the final. I wish our team well in their bid to repeat their triumph of 2004.

The penultimate event for the Club was the Girls U18 round-robin national finals held at the University of Birmingham and our squad acquitted themselves well despite 1-0 defeats at the hands of Belper (eventual champions) and Chelmsford before an excellent 2-0 win over Trojans to give coach Nick McAllen a boost on his 60th birthday!



I’ve commented on the various highs and lows of the season in previous “Chats” but for the benefit of non- online readers I summarise some of the “highs” as follows while forgetting about the “lows”!

* Four teams in national finals (Girls U18s Indoor and Outdoor, Girls U16 Indoor and Men’s Veterans).

* Winning Division 2 of the men’s national indoor league.

* Men’s 2nds gaining promotion.

* More encouraging performances by our U11/U13 boys and girls minis.

* Carl Sitch playing for England 18s.

I take this opportunity to thank all officers and officials of the Club for their hard work over the months.

Annual General Meetings
I hope as many members as possible will be able to get to the AGM at 8.00pm on Thursday 21 June 2007. This is your chance to raise matters of interest to you or to express some words of praise for the officers and officials who work so hard to keep the Club running!

STRAWBERRY LUNCHEON
Sunday 1 July 2007 12 noon
I hope you will be able to support this event which this year is being very kindly hosted by David and Wendy Green at Gawdy Hall, Redenhall.
Tickets (including a drink) are £10 (adults), £5 (children 7 to 12) with children under 7 free.
Please contact
Daphne Beckett (07850 709297)
or David Alexander (01508 530237).

GOLF DAY
Thursday 23 August 2007 – Bungay GC
If you would like to enter a team of four (men, women or mixed) for 18 holes of golf, luncheon and the chance of prizes please contact me (Mike Denham)
on 01603 506925.

SUMMER MIXED HOCKEY
For regular league players
Mondays 4 & 18 June and 2 & 16 July 7.30pm
Please bring white and coloured shirt
and £3 match fee!

SPONSORS
We are indebted to all the sponsors who have supported the Club this season. Without them the Club would be much the poorer.

ginger tom & the GOcats
(Rock, Pop cover, 60’s to present day)
This band which includes Magpies’ members Tracy Baker (vocals), Roy Goodwin (vocals & guitar) and Neville Chubbock (drums) will be playing at The Black Swan, Homersfield on Friday 15 June at 9.00pm. Worth a look and listen I suggest!

WAVENEY VALLEY BLOG
For a wide range of information about Diss, Harleston, Bungay, Beccles, Lowestoft, Halesworth, Loddon and Southwold and surrounding villages I recommend you have a look at this very entertaining and informative blog which includes videos, local features, business editorials, advertisements etc, etc.

Please access the blog via www.WaveneyValleyBlog.com or via the link on the Home Page of the Club’s website.

EuroHockey Nations Championship – 18-26 August 2007 (Belle Vue, Manchester)
Have you considered supporting England Women and Men in their quest for the European crown and British Olympic qualification? With the top three sides in each event gaining automatic qualification for Beijing these championships are even more important than ever. If the England teams fail to qualify via Manchester they will have to try again in the early months of 2008 in one of three further qualification events (in Chile, Japan or New Zealand for the men and Azerbaijan, Canada or Russia for the women) in which only the top team from these events will qualify for the 2008 Olympics. Olympic qualification is getting harder and harder as the FIH seeks to give more countries a chance.

Tickets are now on sale for Manchester and are priced from just £5.00. Please buy online from www.eurohockeymanchester2007.com or call 0871 230 9842.

Please contact Angie Wheelhouse at 26 Association Way, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0TQ.

I wish all members, supporters and friends of the Club an enjoyable summer.



Mike Denham (Chairman)
Tel: 01603 506925
E-mail: MDenham975@aol.com
1 June 2007