General News

As we near the end of the season, I thought I would collate a lot of the work that has gone before us this year, some of which is unnoticed.  The development noted below has been above and beyond the continued day-to-day running of the club, the hard work, determination and effort of our loyal volunteers, and the playing success upon the pitch.  I hope that you are able to take five minutes out of a busy day, grab yourself a cup of tea and learn more about your hockey club.  If I miss anything or anyone out then I apologise but I think you will agree that there is plenty to take stock of.

This report will obviously be updated as we finish the season and attend the AGM and junior AGM but as I write the quality of this year’s hockey is certainly shown by the league and cup standings we currently have:

• Eight men’s teams in the top half of the table; one almost champions, and one secured a play-off position
• All ladies’ teams in respectable finishing positions
• Ladies’ 1XI has reached the Kent Cup final
• Men’s 1XI in the semi-finals of the Kent Cup
• Men’s Vets in the final of the EH Cup and the semi-final of the Kent Cup
• U16 boys top of the table with one game to play

I believe this season has seen the least amount of Friday phone calls for the team secretaries and myself to the benefit of our captain’s tolerance levels, and a very small amount of games that have had to be called off due to being unable to field teams.

If you would like to learn more or have any thoughts or comments about your club, please get in touch with me or one of the committee members.
Jon Rye
Director of Hockey

ClubsFirst – Throughout this season, we have been undergoing reaccreditation for ClubsFirst and have completed a file of evidence which has been submitted to England Hockey Board.  An assessment visit will be took place on Tuesday 30th March which was a successful visit and we have been recommended for ClubsFirst approval.  ClubsFirst is a quality assurance scheme for sports clubs with junior sections that ensure clubs are providing a safe, effective and child friendly hockey environment.

Club Welfare – Through Jo Williams, our Club Welfare Officer, we have kept up-to-date on Child Protection policies and procedures as well as registering with EHB to undertake CRB checks for our coaches and volunteers.  This is being undertaken through a phased approach so if you are a coach or volunteer you may be contacted in due course.

Coach Development – It gives me great pleasure to announce that Lawrie O’Keeffe and Adam Cook have been awarded their Level 2 coaching qualifications recently.  Both Lawrie and Adam have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort for the qualification and I hope that they will both have a key role in coaching within the club and junior section next season.  Richard Hurst, Adnan Zakir, Liam Radley and Brian Field have all qualified as level 1 coaches over the season and have been putting their skills and knowledge into practice on a Sunday morning and with some of our school partners.  Future coaching courses are being organised by EHB and already Adnan Zakir (level 2), Chris Link (level 1) and Diccon Stubbings (level 1) are all booked on.  All coaches are required to work towards a First Aid qualification, complete a CRB check and ideally attend a SportscoachUK Child Protection workshop.

County representation – You may have noted on our website news that several junior players have been successful in gaining places in Kent county sides.  Again, our congratulations go to Aaron Cheema, Rob Field, Harley Moss, Remy Sancto, James Thompsett and Zak Williams for excelling in their trials and being put forward to the next stage of their developing hockey career.

HHFA – Another new introduction this season, the HHFA has got off to a steady start led by a small contingent of committee members.  The HHFA has been set-up to provide a route for the enthusiasm and passion that many parents have shown, to be channelled for the benefit of the junior section.  Membership is electronic so if you haven’t signed up already please do so.  The HHFA has launched a new regular junior newsletter and is planning some forthcoming fundraising events, both over the summer and for next season.  More information is available on the junior section of the Holcombe website.

Medway 2012 – Work continues with the Medway 2012 team to promote Holcombe Park as a venue for the London 2012 pre-games training camps.  Medway 2012 has produced a promotional brochure and DVD which has been sent to all National Olympic Committees.  This serves as an introduction to using Medway facilities as a venue to train before the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.  Medway 2012 team supports some of our developing elite athletes as part of their Project 2016 and Athlete Development Programme and offers financial assistance to help with equipment and competition costs, advice from the UK’s top athletes and scientists at the University of Kent at Medway, and free off-peak access to Medway’s sports facilities.

Medway Sports Development Team – The continuation of our link with Medway Sports Development Team has seen support for our club development, coach development and link to other Clubmark clubs within the Medway area.  I meet regularly with other clubs to ensure that we are keeping up-to-date with Medway developments and that we are ahead of the game on other clubs when it comes to partnership working and support from external organisations.

Parental Team Managers – The introduction of Parental Team Managers has seen a support structure begin for the junior section.  Each manager supports the coach with the necessities of getting a team ready, willing and able for the matches and provides a great contact link between the club, coaches and parents.  I have been really encouraged by the support and dedication that has been given from the parental team managers and I hope that they will become a stable part of the junior set-up at Holcombe.  Unfortunately, I am already aware that Mark Sommer will not be continuing in his role next season as Under 18 Boys parental team manager so we will be on the lookout for a suitable candidate...

Primary Care Trust – I have just made a link with the Primary Care Trust and their new Exercise Referral Programme.  The club is being highlighted as an opportunity for adults to get back into exercise and are being referred to the sport by GPs and health professionals.  The adults referred will join in with our club training session and it is hoped that they will then become members and continue playing the sport.

Schools-coaching – Our schools-coaching has not made as much of an impact as I had hoped this season but long term I hope to arrange for more coaches to run six week blocks of coaching within primary schools starting from September 2010.  This will be run in conjunction with Greenacre School Sport Partnership and the Howard School Sport Partnership.  Adnan Zakir coached at Chatham Grammar School for Boys and Thomas Aveling before Christmas.  A link was forged with Cobham Hall girls school and Leigh Bierman has been developing the potential of the girls.  Post-Christmas Adnan continued at Chatham Grammar School for Boys but we increased the support given to them.  Since February half-term Thomas Aveling has benefited from Leigh Bierman and Liam Radley being involved and Horsted Junior School has presented Richard Hurst with an opportunity to gain further coaching experience in a school setting.

Volunteer Development – Opportunities continue to appear for our volunteers within the club through Medway Sports Development Team and Kent Sports Development Unit.  I am keen to offer as many development opportunities to ensure that Holcombe continues to grow in knowledge and ability.  A First Aid Course has been booked for Sunday 13 June 9.30am - 4pm and if you are interested in attending please let me know as soon as possible.