Whilst the 1st teams have endured tough seasons this year I know everyone involved over the course of the season gave their all and i know that both teams are already looking forward to and planning for getting back to it next season.

Elsewhere there has been much to celebrate, with a number of teams earning promotion, including two teams winning their leagues. I know some nerves were shredding (although I didn’t think it was ever in doubt) but L2 have had their promotion confirmed after a great season. M4 and M5 go up as champions of their respective leagues, with M5 almost going unbeaten. M2 were once again the bridesmaids of div 2 south with yet another second place finish and both L3 and M3 both finished strongly and had great seasons. L4 and M6 have once again set about providing great social hockey and done a great job of the important work of providing an introduction to the youngsters graduating from our youth system. It’s been a tight race to be top of the goal scorers but Ben Cotton topped the table for the men and Charlotte Armitage took the honours for the ladies.

Off the pitch there has also been a huge amount of work done. We have rolled out a new kit via a new supplier- I think the kit looks great and judging by the amount of new kit around the club, so do many of you and Specialist Sports and Hawkinsport are literally and metaphorically delivering for us.

The youth section has pretty much doubled in size over the course of the season and we have now firmly established U15 sides for both the girls and boys. It was my one of my stated aims to re-establish regular hockey for that age group and thanks to the work of a number of people, not least Simon Preece, it is great to see that age group flourishing as they get regular hockey outside the adult set up. This year was also an outstanding year for our youth players participating across the Essex hockey and talent academy systems, with it possibly being our best ever year in terms of numbers going into those pathways,

The pitch rejuvenation has been a great success and should add 8-10 years to the life of the pitch.

We have plenty more planned for the summer and by September we intend to have a new kitchen installed, redecorated various parts of the clubhouse and improved the storage facilities around the pitch.

I am also pleased to be able to confirm that due to the growth of the ladies side of the club over the years and consistent numbers of ladies available week to week, we are actively looking to enter an L5 team in the league next season. Suzie and the ladies’ captains are working on a plan and I will keep you updated.

We have had some great social events this season, and have more to come. Unfortunately a couple were postponed but we intend they will be back next season. We are a social club and these events are really important but we are also a club that depends on volunteers and people giving up their time to organise and make sure things happen (that of course applies to everything we do, not just social events). It takes a huge amount of work to get an event on and I am grateful to all the work that has been done by Rianna and those that have supported her so far this season in giving their time for the successful events that have taken place and those yet to come (Including of course the Dinner and Dance). However, it takes a team of people to make the events work and as with all things, the job is best done when the load is shared and I would ask that anyone who has an idea for a social event or who wants to help organise an event to step forward so that we can continue the great social side of the club that we all enjoy off the pitch.

One event still to come is the Club Day/the new Presentation Evening on 26 April. Some of you will heard that the Cub Supper format has been changed and the evening will be in a slightly different format this year. As the club has grown, it has proved more and more difficult to accommodate all those who wish to attend. You will have also noticed that the speeches and awards had been taking an increasingly large portion of the evening. We have therefore decided to ask the teams to hand out their individual awards at their own social evenings and the Club Presentation Evening will be an opportunity for the club to socialise as a whole in a less formal environment but one that is focused around the presentation of the player of the year, most improved, young player of the year awards and the Vaughan Copeland Trophy. The day will start with some social hockey for all those that want to take part in afternoon accompanied by a BBQ and then lead into the Presentation Evening. Jack and Suzie will be providing details in due course.

Additionally, Brant is working on facilitating umpiring courses over the summer for those who want to get involved in the ever essential process of umpiring, Suzie is laying on a first aid course at the club for all those that want to attend on 10 May and Colleen Elvidge continues to provide amazing support in terms of safeguarding.

All that remains is for me to say various thank yous. There are too many to make individually (with one exception. If I went specific I’d only likely miss someone out…) but thanks must be made to the Committees and everyone on them for their huge efforts and the time they have given up, the supporters, the parents, the tea makers, the bacon sandwich makers, the cake makers, the drivers, Nina for all she does for us, the umpires, the coaches, the people that keep the building in one piece and everything working, the people that re-stock the first aid kits, the people that get up early and check if the pitch is frozen, the people that stay up late and attend online meetings with the various bodies with which we are affiliated, the people that empty the bins on the pitch, our sponsors, the people that keep us safe and of course the players. You get the idea. A massive effort goes into making this great hockey club run and I’m grateful to each and every person who helps make that happen!

Tom Cawcutt

Chairperson