Harleston Magpies Hockey Club: 01/08/07

Work continues at Weybread in advance of the new season

Following the upgrade of the floodlights the lines on the water-based pitch and the circles on the sand-based pitch have been re-painted; the building of the disabled toilet has commenced; the erection of the new balcony is scheduled for the next two weeks; the grass pitches have been sprayed to kill off the weeds and other regular maintenance of the grounds has continued in order to keep pace with Mother Nature over the last few wet weeks.

In addition the work to solve the flooding problem outside the entrance to our car park has been completed with the laying of a bigger drain pipe under the car park. This work was carried out on behalf of Mid Suffolk DC and paid for by the council.

Arrangements for the forthcoming season

1.
I remind members that the training/coaching programme for the season can be accessed from the Home Page of the Club’s website.

2.
Invoices in respect of subscriptions and training fees with be issued to members in the next few days and prompt payment would be much appreciated, especially in view of the considerable expenses facing the Club with all the various developments outlined above.

3.
Work continues on the handbook for the new season and, following printing, copies will be issued to members on payment of their subscriptions.

4.
Following last season’s leadership problem (i.e. lack of until after Christmas) and availability problems it has been decided to drop the Men’s 7ths. This decision was not taken lightly but will come as no surprise to those aware of the struggle and worries we had over this team last season. I hope we will be able to reinstate the team for season 2008/9.

5.
With U13s now prohibited by England Hockey from playing in adult leagues a girls team has been entered in the new Norfolk Development League. As a consequence and because the Club does not have the capacity to run nine ladies teams in terms of team officials and umpires it has been decided to merge the Ladies’ 4ths and 5ths teams (especially as they will be playing in the same league) under the banner of the 5ths.

Congratulations to

1.
Andy Smith and Jody Sharp on their recent marriage.

2.
Kirstin Cumming who has once again won for the Club the EHL Division 1 (Ladies) hospitality award. This award is based on the votes of all visiting teams.

SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES 2007-2008
Please put the dates in your diaries! More details will be issued in due course.

2007
Saturday 1 September BBQ after pre-season training matches
Saturday 6 October Family Quiz Evening
Friday 2 November Fireworks Spectacular (gates open 6.30pm)
Saturday 24 November "Cocktail" Evening
Saturday 29 December Fancy Dress Inter-Club Mixed Hockey

2008
Saturday 2 February Social Evening
Saturday 1 March Race Evening
Saturday 12 April Silent Auction and Spring Prize Draw
Saturday 3 May End of Season Bash
Sat/Sun/Mon 3/4/5 May Magpies Tournament
Summer Five evenings of mixed hockey
Sunday 22 June Strawberry Luncheon, by kind permission of Jill and Roy Whipps
August Golf Day (tbc)
Saturday 13 September Summer Ball

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.

Euro Hockey Nations Championship – 18-26 August 2007 (Belle Vue, Manchester)
This event is fast approaching. 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 on sale and are priced from just £5.00.

Please buy online from www.eurohockeymanchester2007.com or call 0871 230 9842

With kind regards and best wishes to all members, supporters and friends of the Club.