No need to panic – yet! - iceni Post News from the North folk & South folk

Events in Norfolk and Suffolk October 1, 2007

Chairman’s Chat

No need to panic – yet!

I am sorry to say that the Club has withdrawn the Ladies’ 3rds from the East League. This comes on top of the earlier decision to drop the Ladies’ 4ths although this loss was partly offset by the establishment of the Ladies’ development team which I am delighted to say got off to a winning start away to Pelicans.

The decision to withdraw the Ladies’ 3rds was inevitable, but not taken lightly, when it was discovered we had lost up to 15 players from the senior end of the Club from last season. The reasons for the losses include retirements, injuries, departures to universities and other clubs and a pregnancy.

This is not yet a cause for panic but if the position is not to get any worse before we can rebuild it is imperative that members make themselves available for selection as often as possible. Already this season despite the reduction in the number of teams some of our ladies’ sides have taken the field with less than eleven players. The overall situation has been aggravated by England Hockey’s regrettable decision to ban Under 13s from playing in adult hockey.

Clubs 1st presentation
We were delighted to welcome England Hockey President Martin Gotheridge, Mrs Gotheridge and other guests to the Club last Saturday week during which Martin kindly presented Helen Barber, the chairman of the youth committee, with our Clubs 1st award. Needless to say I wrote thanking Martin and Margaret for taking the trouble to visit us and Martin in turn has thanked the Club for making them so welcome.

Super Saturday for the men’s teams
All seven of the men’s teams won last Saturday – what a record! Congratulations to all concerned. I saw the 2nds, 4ths, 6ths and Veterans play some excellent hockey to give us hope for a successful season. Richard Larkin’s goal for the 2nds against Norwich Union was the pick of all those I saw (followed closely by Gavin Coles’ second in the same match) when he picked up the ball some forty yards from goal and ran through to beat the goalkeeper after feinting to pass. I’m sure Richard will be pleased to talk to you about it!

Congratulations to the following
• Kate and Matt Gray on the birth of Matilda (Tilly) Beatrice.

• Richard (Ratty) Alexander (Surbiton and ex-Magpies) and George Pinner (Beeston and ex-Ipswich) on their selection for Great Britain’s 26-strong training squad to prepare for next March’s vital Olympic qualifying tournament in Chile from which only the top team of the six will make it to Beijing.

• Dereham HC on the opening of their refurbished pitch. In introducing the EH President, Club President John Carrick said ‘Martin is a good friend, but not of mine!’ Martin took this typical Carrick joke very well.

I know I talk a lot of rubbish!
OK – for once I will not mention the huge amount of drinking bottles and other detritus I continue to pick up each week on the pitches and in the car park!

Family Quiz Evening
I take this opportunity to remind you of this event which is being held this Saturday (6 October) in the clubhouse at 7.00pm. Please support this first social/fund raiser of the season. Teams of four (£12 per team) with prizes and nibbles!

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

2007
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 Night
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
Saturday 5 or 12 July Summer Ball
Thursday 14 August Golf Day (Bungay GC)