NEWSLETTER. Welcome. U14 Boys to play National Finals at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

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Reynard Booker
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id=4 U14 Boys to play National Finals at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park We are so proud of our U14 Boys who will play in the National Finals at Lee Valley stadium in the Olympic

It is the first time that a Marden Russets junior team has ever reached the England Hockey finals and all players, families and friends are warmly invited to come and support

1 NEWSLETTER Sunday 26 th April 2016 Welcome Welcome to this special edition of Marden Russets Juniors newsletter which is being distributed to all club members, including the adult section. You can also view the newsletter on the Marden Russets website in the Juniors section, along with archive copies from earlier in the season, club registration forms and this year s Junior Brochure: U14 Boys to play National Finals at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park We are so proud of our U14 Boys who will play in the National Finals at Lee Valley stadium in the Olympic Park on Saturday 14 th May. It is the first time that a Marden Russets junior team has ever reached the England Hockey finals and all players, families and friends are warmly invited to come and support the boys as they take on the top seven teams in the country: Bath, Beeston, Bishop s Stortford, Cheltenham, City of Peterborough, Harrogate and Surbiton. The teams are divided into two pools of four and Marden Russets play their three initial matches at 10am, 11.40am and 1.45pm so please come along and cheer them on and enjoy some fantastic hockey. Tickets are currently priced at 6 for adults and 3 for U18s but those prices will increase on the day so do buy them online in advance:

2 Local Press Coverage in the Courier and Kent Messenger Full details of the tournament are given at the end of this newsletter but if you have any questions contact Carol Ridge: Sponsorships Huge thanks go to bespoke furniture makers John Sankey who have been incredibly generous in sponsoring personalised home and away kit for all the boys in the U14 squad, not just those selected for the big day: We are also very grateful to Westerhill Homes who have also sponsored smart new coaching jackets:

U14 Boys win Agrii Team of the Season Award with runners-up U12 Boys The U14 Boys are also the proud winners of the Agrii trophy for

The trophy is presented twice a year to the team/age group embodying the best sporting values: hard work/team

The U12 Boys were worthy runners-up after qualifying for their own Regionals and putting in great performances all season (see below)

3 U14 Boys win Agrii Team of the Season Award with runners-up U12 Boys The U14 Boys are also the proud winners of the Agrii trophy for Team of the Season! The trophy is presented twice a year to the team/age group embodying the best sporting values: hard work/team spirit/enthusiasm/sportsmanship/good manners. The U12 Boys were worthy runners-up after qualifying for their own Regionals and putting in great performances all season (see below) U12 Boys Play in Regional Finals by Hamish Cloke At Merchant Taylors' School on Sunday 17th April, the U12 Boys arrived bright and early for their South Regional Hockey Tournament. Having only narrowly lost to Canterbury in the final of our Kent Championships, we knew we had a good chance but we were also aware that every match would now be at a similar level to that final.

4 U12 Boys contd Our first match was against Trojans and we started well, going 1-0 up to relieve some of the early pressure that typically comes with the start of a regional tournament. Unfortunately though, Trojans proved to be fairly handy on the counter attack and we soon conceded three goals in quick succession to end up losing 1-3 at full time. Disappointing, mainly though because we felt that on paper they were the one side who we were almost certain to beat. Anyway, up next was Marlow and just before this match we agreed with the boys that more than anything, they were to just go out and enjoy the occasion because within a few hours the entire tournament was finished. Whether this made the difference or not, the boys played some excellent hockey and after an impressive team performance, we won our second match 2-1. Maybe you can't predict too much on paper after all! After a short break, we were up against Surbiton - who are notoriously strong - and unfortunately we couldn't create many chances and losing 0-3 was probably a fair result. Our final group match was against Reading - another big national league club. However, the boys did very well to pick themselves up again and produced a convincing 3-0 win to qualify for the next round. Due to last minute changes and a team dropping out the night before, the groups were slightly reconfigured and ultimately we had to play in a 'play-off' match to make the quarter finals. Eastcote were our opponents and it was a frustrating match with few real chances but unfortunately the best chance fell to them and they took it to finish 0-1 winners. That's the nature of 15 minute hockey, though, and if there isn't much between the two sides then a bit of luck can make all the difference. Nonetheless, the whole squad played some very good hockey throughout the day and it will be exciting to see this age group continue to progress over the coming years at Marden. Interestingly, Canterbury won the regional final and so it just shows that on another day we could have potentially finished even closer to (or in!) a national tournament qualification spot. Help Required for Next Season starting either Sunday 4 th or 11 th September Next season should see us at our fantastic new ground with two astro pitches and it is a real opportunity to stamp Marden firmly on the England Hockey map. However, as you all know, this is a volunteer club, and hockey is only possible if we have sufficient people prepared to help coach and organise the squads. For next season we are very keen to ensure that all squads are organised as well as possible, and to try and increase the number of matches for many of the squads. However, to do this requires MORE HELPERS. At the moment, we are particularly keen to hear of any parents who are prepared to act as Squad Managers, who are responsible for liaising with parents and organising matches. (Don t worry, there is plenty of guidance available in the Club if you are not sure how to do this no hockey knowledge required!). We are also always keen to hear from any parents who are happy to be involved as Lead Coaches or Assistant Coaches (for which ideally some general sporting ability is required but hockey experience is not essential). For some of the squads, if we don t get some volunteers, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY MATCHES, so please do come forward. Please do get in touch with your regular Club contacts or any member of the Junior Committee if you are willing to get involved.

5 U14 Boys National Finals Saturday 14th May 2016, Lee Valley, Olympic Park Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Eton Manor, Leadmill Lane, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. E20 3AD*. * Use E10 5SQ for Sat Nav which will bring you to the opposite side of the road to Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre. The postcode above is still not recognised on many Sat Navs as it is a new venue. Qualifying Teams U14 BOYS POOL A U14 BOYS POOL B Marden Russets East Pool B Beeston North Pool A Harrogate North Pool B Bishop s Stortford Midlands Pool B City of Peterborough Midlands Pool A Team Bath Buccaneers West Pool A Cheltenham West Pool B Surbiton East Pool A Competition Schedule PITCH 1 (Watering) PITCH 2 POOL 10:00 Marden Russets v Harrogate 10:50 Beeston v Bishop s Stortford 11:40 Cheltenham v Marden Russets City of Peterborough v Cheltenham Team Bath Buccaneers v Surbiton Harrogate v City of Peterborough BOYS A BOYS B BOYS A 12:55 Team Bath Buccaneers v Beeston Surbiton v Bishop s Stortford BOYS B 13:45 Marden Russets v City of Peterborough Cheltenham v Harrogate BOYS A 14:35 Beeston v Surbiton Bishop s Stortford v Team Bath Buccaneers BOYS B 16:00 2 Pool A v 2 Pool B 4 Pool A v 4 Pool B CLASSIF 17:00 1 Pool A v 1 Pool B 3 Pool A v 3 Pool B CLASSIF

6 All matches are 15 minutes each way with a 5 minute half time. Tickets Adult Daily Ticket - 6 U18 Daily Ticket - 3 Programmes - 2 Ticket prices will increase on the day so it is cheaper to buy them online in advance: Photography Take That Photo is the official England Hockey photographer and will be selling photographs of the action on the day including team photos. Spectator Photography In accordance with NSPCC Safe Sports Events guidelines all spectators wishing to video matches or take zoom lens photography must register at the event office. They will need to sign a sheet and display a sticker at all times either on equipment or on their clothing.

Saturday 14th may 2016 SPECIAL EDITION! Marden Russets U14 Boys Win Bronze Medal and Remain Unbeaten at National Hockey Finals!

NEWSLETTER Saturday 14th may 2016 SPECIAL EDITION! Marden Russets U14 Boys Win Bronze Medal and Remain Unbeaten at National Hockey Finals! Wow, what a fantastic day for Marden Russets! The U14 Boys travelled