I’m sure you are all enjoying the Summer and (for some of us!) a break from hockey, so just a brief interim update from me. As you’ll know there are various things going on to keep the club ticking over in the Summer months: Summer League, Back to Hockey et al. It was also great to see so many of you at the recent WCSF Party in the PARC event, both at our ‘club days’ – as our fund raising contribution to the day - and the event itself. As well as some of our members helping in other roles on the day, our club day, teas, cakes and ice creams raised c£950.00 towards the WCSF fundraising, so thank you to everyone involved in making it such an enjoyable day.

Thank you to all of those members who attended the club’s AGM back in May. To all of those officers who decided to step down from their roles, thank you for your contributions, some over many years. And thank you to those members who stepped forward to take on new roles in the club for 2017/18. In particular I’d like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Myra Patterson, who has stepped down as Secretary after several years in post. Myra has made an invaluable contribution to our club as we have expanded, often taking on tasks outside the normal secretarial remit and I am personally very grateful for her help, drive and commitment over the last few years. Myra will still be involved with the club in some form but is only right she is singled out for her efforts as Secretary.

With that in mind, thoughts have already started to turn to planning for 2017/18 and beyond. There are still some key roles to fill for next season. not least Secretary and Men’s 2s captain! Have a think on how you can help. I am planning to have a meeting with the new committee before the end of the Summer term so we can ensure we hit the ground running in the Autumn. You may have seen we are running a GK coaching masterclass at the club soon, and we are also looking to run some coaching courses at Sport Wotton too.

I have already met with club captains and some of the new appointees. It is looking likely that winter training slots for seniors, youth and juniors will remain the same as last season. I will however, communicate further on this and on coaching arrangements once all this is nailed down. In late July/early August, all members on our current mailing list will be sent details of how to sign up for 2017/18 season and we will communicate the same via social media.

With best wishes,
Stuart Emms, Chairman

Remember there are various ways in which to stay in touch with what’s happening at your club:
• Follow us on Twitter @wottonhockey
• Check out our public Facebook presence: ‘Wotton under Edge Hockey Club’ or @wottonhockey (where links to press articles etc will be posted) – please ‘like’ and share this page https://m.facebook.com/wottonhockey/ and boost our profile to prospective sponsors and the wider community.
• Members can also request access to a closed facebook members group “WuE HC – the place dreams are made!” for added banter, breaking news et al
• Check the website (and the news section) regularly and bookmark www.wottonhockeyclub.org
• Check your membership profile on the website is up to date (phone, email) and that you are set to receive messages/emails (this not the default)
• Most Fridays during the regular season we post a ‘weekend preview’ via social media and on the website so members can see what games their clubmates (senior AND junior) are playing in.