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Chairman's Update - September 2017

Chairman's Update - September 2017

Stuart Emms14 Sep 2017 - 07:01
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https://www.wottonhockeyclub.o

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Dear all,

I hope you are enjoying the 2017/18 season thus far, it looks to be another exciting year ahead; and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new members.
Below is a brief update on where we are as a club, and items of note. The committee and I will endeavor to send such club wide updates on a monthly basis.

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 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

With best wishes
Stuart Emms, Chairman

NEWS

1. CLUB SECRETARY
I’m delighted to say that following a brief ‘sabbatical’ having stepped down from the role at the end of last year, Myra Patterson has agreed to return as Club Secretary for the 2017/18. Myra will be combining this with the role of Junior Secretary and Child Welfare officer. This means that myself as Chair, Myra as Secretary and Treasurer Stuart Jones will oversee the club via the management committee which meets once a month; with management of various sections/teams delegated out to key individuals. This allows us to bring together the strategy for the WHOLE club and to further embed the #oneclub feel we work so hard to achieve. Given much of her work was/is done ‘behind the scenes’, many of you wont fully appreciate the contribution Myra has made in the last 5 years in getting the club to where we are today. I do, and its great to have her back in the fold.

2. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS – PAYABLE BY 30 SEPTEMBER
Members are reminded that, in order to remain eligible for selection – and indeed be considered a paid up, fully insured member of the club - annual subs need to be paid by 30 September 2017.
For seniors and youth players, a match fee ‘product’ needs to be purchased too (effectively a monthly standing order for match fees). Junior match fees are PAYG.
Reminder of what to do here: http://www.wottonhockeyclub.org/news/message-from-the-chairman-summer-2017-1883885.html
The club supports inclusivity in sport, so in cases of genuine hardship, please contact Treasurer Stu Jones or another member of the committee in confidence.

3. PITCHERO – AVAILABILTY
Please help captains and team admins/managers by setting your availability on Pitchero as far in advance as you can; and reply promptly to confirm selections when asked. As the club has grown, Pitchero (for all its quirks sometimes) has proven invaluable to us in managing the teams. Don’t forget there is a smartphone app that can be downloaded from the usual outlets (apple, android et al)
If you haven’t set your availability, don’t be surprised if you are not selected; ask your usual contact if you are unsure.

4. CONTAINER UPDATE
Members will remember that the club agreed to purchase a container of our own to sit alongside the green container which contains much of Sport Wotton’s maintenance equipment. The idea was that our container will combine kit storage and the ability to improve our refreshment offering at junior tournaments, big matches and events. Due to some unforeseen logistical issues, though the container has been delivered to the site (currently sitting in the New Rd side car park), we wont be able to move it into its intended final position until we have a run of dry weather – so pray for some sunshine!

5. CLUB BRANDED PLAYING & TRAINING WEAR
A reminder that if you still need club stash for the new season, our full range of playing and training wear is available at Goose and Gander on Wotton High St (under the Tolsey clock). Canterbury playing shirts for men and ladies now in stock; we also now offer white Canterbury playing shorts to complement the mens shirts. Lots of other goodies for mens, ladies and juniors available. Click on this link for more. https://www.countylogos.com/collections/wotton-under-edge-hockey

6. NATIONAL KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS
Following success of Mens 1s, Ladies 1s and Boys u18s cup runs in the last few years; the club has agreed to enter several teams in the revamped ‘England Hockey Championships’ this season. The Mens 1s, Mens 2s, Ladies 1s, Boys u16s, Boys u14s, Girls u16s, and Girls u14s will all be entered into their relevant tiered competitions. So, hopefully plenty of memorable ‘Cup Sundays’ both at home and on the road in the coming months. More details, and fixtures, once the draws have been made.

7. KIT AMNESTY

Each season, we accept we have to often purchase various consumables or other kit subject to wear and tear. Wherever possible, we try and keep such expenditure down – so we need your help! Please can you check your car boots, sheds, garages and kit bags for any items of club property: balls, bibs, shirts, facemasks et al. Get them back to your usual contacts, no questions asked 

8. UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday 6th October – FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: our 1st senior league fixture to be played under lights at Sport Wotton. M1 host Team Bath Buccaneers in the GoCrea8 League Premiership at 1930. Supporters very welcome at this event!

Monday 9th October – UMPIRES MEETING: a useful new season for our qualified, part-qual and prospective umpires. Star Inn, 1930. Please confirm your attendance with Steve Dexter.

Sunday 15th October – JUNIOR HOME TOURNAMENT: our first junior tournament of the year as we entertain other junior clubs from around the region, hopefully the sun shines!

Saturday 11th November – QUIZ NIGHT at Wotton Town Hall. More details to follow on this social/fundraising event

Saturday 9th December – XMAS JUMPER SOCIAL. Our usual pre-Xmas drinks/mixer with appropriately dodgy knitwear. More details to follow

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