Chairman s message This has to be one of the hardest things to have to write at the moment with the sudden and tragic loss of one of our younger members of the senior section, Rhys Rubery. I d like to wish Jon, Joanne and Catrin our sincere condolences at this very sad time. As a club this has really knocked the wind out of our sails but has also made us realise how much we all mean to each other as one big hockey family. The support from the wider hockey world has been fantastic and we look forward to getting together with other clubs in fund raising for RR81, the legacy fund set up in Rhys name. We have decided as a club that as a mark of respect to Rhys, his squad number 81 will be retired. It is hard to think about hockey at the moment but I know that Rhys will be looking down on us and encouraging us to carry on playing the game he and we all love. We are lucky this season to have a new pitch at our Pencoed home, the surface is a fantastic pitch and on behalf of all our members I d like to thank Andrew Thomas of Bridgend County Borough Council, without his drive we would never have got this brilliant facility. I d also like to thank Hockey Wales for their effort in helping to secure funding. Once again our after match facilities are the best in all the leagues and we are well looked after by Mark and his staff at the Haywain, we need to support this free service they provide to ensure that it will long continue. We all also need to support the social functions that are put on by the club, the hard work that is done can only be really appreciated by coming along and enjoying the night. I d personally like to thank all the Management and selection committee members that give up their time for free to ensure that he club is run so smoothly for you as members, and any playing and non-playing matters are dealt with professionally and quickly so you can enjoy your hockey. After mixed success on the field last season we are looking to move forward with emphasis on development and coaching. As well as our 3 men s and 2 ladies league teams, we have entered both a development league for men s and ladies this year to bring on some of the talented younger players we have and to get them to play in more competitive games. This can only be positive move towards further men s and ladies teams in the league over the coming seasons. To better our younger players we need to have a more positive attitude toward training by encouraging more members to turn up and benefit from training drills and skills, we can only develop better team spirit and an ethos of play throughout the club if we all are doing the same things to better ourselves and the club. We are looking to improve training this year again and I would like to thank all those that took training sessions last season, it is a thankless task sometimes but you all did a great job, from junior coaches to senior coaches. This season all clubs are being scrutinised over a few things including completing league results and fully filling in match cards, but the one thing they are insisting on from this coming season are squad numbers. Each player must have a squad number and it must be on the shirt they are wearing, we have worked hard to get a good price on team kit that is available to all individuals without us having to bulk buy, it is available from our website shop, please speak to Steve Spud Murphy to get your squad number and order your kit. Players without proper kit with squad numbers on will not be able to play in league fixtures. Finally I d like to thank you all because without our members there would be no Bridgend Hockey Club. Ade
President s Message Looking ahead to another new season with new officers willing to take on key roles within the club it is imperative we all give them our full support. The new pitch now laid and looking fantastic we look forward to making it our new Home fortress with the future of the club continuing to look bright thanks to the continued hard work of your club officers & local council working together with Sport Wales to deliver the required funding for the pitch. We have always had a good social side to the club and we need to keep that spirit going utilising the Haywain as often as possible who have continued to support us. However, we now need to kick on the playing side with our newly introduced development teams (Ladies last year and Men's this year). The key to our clubs progression is to ensure there is regular Hockey available to "all" our members which is why we should be looking towards a Men's 4ths and Ladies 3rds in the very near future. That way we can continue to thrive. Finally I would like to wish all members an enjoyable and successful season. Best Wishes Steve
Men s Club Captain Report It is with great pleasure that I continue with the mantle of Men s club captain. This is a role I take on with pride, and aim to do the club proud undertaking the responsibilities it entails. The previous season passed with the emotional range of a blockbuster movie. The highs of the third XI gaining promotion, demonstrating what our club members are capable of; going from a team unable to get a point to high flying league toppers. The lows of the second XI being unfortunately relegated, despite a number of noteworthy performances, and a superb team ethic. And the mediocrity of the first XI who started strongly, but were unable to maintain the early momentum. Our three men s teams have made clear what they are capable of, with a few tweaks here and there we are all capable of taking the next step, which sees up progress from last season. There have been a number of other poignant experiences this year. Watching young players develop and progress will never cease to rouse a passionate response. However we unfortunately lost one of our young men this summer. The outpouring of emotion, support and sympathy showed our true togetherness and what we mean to one another. Rhys was a great talent, a committed club member and a good friend to everyone. My lasting message is to look towards him for inspiration going into next season. Training was never missed, no challenge too great, nothing was impossible without enough effort put towards it. Hockey didn t end on the pitch either, as he engaged in some of the many aspects necessary in preserving the continuity of the club. Furthermore he could make a player twice his age look silly without wiping a smile from either his or their faces. We should all have high aspirations going into next season. As individuals we are all capable of greatness, as a club, we are capable of something really special. I look forward standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone next season!! Rhys
Ladies Club Captain Report As the new season approaches a new ladies club captain appears. This is my 16th season at Bridgend Hockey but the first time I have taken on this role and do so with great pride. At the end of the season we hoped and prayed that we would survive relegation! On the last weekend of the season, the 1stXI managed to stay in Premier 2 division but the 2ndXI could not avoid the drop! But... Our prayers were answered, with a restructuring of the leagues the seconds are to stay in division 3. This could not have been done without the dedication of our ladies who turn up to training regularly, Rhys who insists we play as a squad and organises us in training and of course the captains Holly Walker and Emily Phillips. Holly has stepped down and we thank her for her hard work, Emily remains in post and is joined by Johanna Poupon as first team captain. Leanne Jones is sadly unable to continue as Umpires coordinator for the coming season. This is a vital role and our thanks go to Leanne for her hard work last season. Contact us if you think you can help out the club. For the coming season, we continue to want to progress and develop the youth and the seniors. We can only do this with each other's support and guidance, and welcome anyone who can support us in this. I hope everyone is eager to restart the season, train hard, play hard and strive for silverware! Kit should shortly be available for the ladies and ladies youth via the link on the web page. Good luck to all team and see you in training Justine
Youth Section Report 2015/16 was another record-breaking year for the youth section of the Club with over 90 registered youth members. We expect numbers to rise above 100 for the first time in the forthcoming season. Such large numbers of keen young players require support from volunteers and we are grateful for the support of our coaches without whom we couldn't run the youth training and Sunday teams. Volunteers are always welcomed and this year we will be supported by Dave Knight and Paul Jones, both 1st XI players with a wealth of experience - other aspiring coaches are always welcome - the more coaching we can provide the better our youngsters will become. Following on from the success of the Ladies Development Team a Men's Development Team is being introduced this season playing games on either Saturday's or Sunday's. This will give the older boys a chance to play more regular hockey and hopefully break into the full senior sides. A new minimum age limit rule has been introduced across England and Wales for 2016/17. This means that all ladies and men's senior players must be at least 13 years old. Whilst slightly disappointed by this rule, only a few players are temporarily affected. It is some years since one of our youth teams won a Welsh title, but, we are getting closer and with the continued youth development 2016/17 could be the year we start winning them again. Have a great season. Andy
Bridgend Hockey Club Officers 2016-2017 Roles in the club are very important and crucial to the running of the club, next season we welcome new officers and ask all club members to support them in their roles. President Steve Murphy Chairman Adrian Hibbert Vice Chairwoman Jo Poupon Treasurer Jack Steer Club Secretary Bev Sainsbury Press officer - Emily Phillips Men s Club Captain Rhys Owen Men Fixture Secretary Steve Sloan Men s Umpiring manager Steve Sloan Men s 1 st Team Captain- Rob Evans Men s 2 nd Team Captain- Rhodri Owen Men s 3 rd Team Captain- John Murphy Men s Vet Captain Steve Murphy Ladies Club Captain Justine Cosby Ladies Fixture Secretary Bev Sainsbury Ladies Umpiring Secretary TBC Ladies 1 st Team Captain Jo Poupon Ladies 2 nd Team Captain Emily Phillips Ladies Vets Captain Jo Poupon Youth Co-ordinator/ Child Protection Officer Andy Schofield Child Protection Officer Jo Poupon Youth Treasurer- Roger Franks
Information for the new season Training Information: Girl s training: Monday 6:30pm-7:30pm Ladies training: Monday 7:30pm-9pm Boy s Training: Tuesday 6:30pm 7:30pm Men s Training: 7:30pm 9pm All training is at Pencoed Comprehensive School As stressed in reports, training is vital for us to continue to improve and get results in the league, please make every effort to attend. RR81 In honour of Rhys Rubery and his love of hockey, we as a club will continue to honour and pay tribute to him, this will start with a memorial game 10 th September at Pencoed to raise money for the charity set up by Rhys family. More details on the game will follow from your captains. Club trials Social Throughout the season, there will be numerous parties and events, always a lot of fun so it will be make sure you come along! Club trials will be held at Pencoed Comprehensive, Saturday 3 rd September, 1pm-5pm*. There will be a BBQ held at The Haywain from 6pm. *an email will follow confirming time trials.
Treasurer s Report The Final accounts for the 2015/2016 season showed a welcome bottom line surplus of 945, but we must remember that there are substantial benefits by stealth, in that we have not been charged for teas (many thanks to the Haywain) and only half the cost of youth training has been charged by the Council. This will surely not last, sadly. Another item of potential cost that we did not incur this year, is subsidy given when fulfilling cup fixtures in North Wales this would make a severe indent to any surpluses. The Club operates on a turnover of around 19k, which needs to be tightly controlled, particularly as it is mainly cash based. Expenses are mainly incurred on pitch hire for Saturday games and midweek training, petrol for travelling to away games, affiliation fees to the WHU and the South Wales League, goalkeeping kit and other running costs. This is largely funded by income from annual subscriptions and weekly match fees - each player has a responsibility to ensure they pay their match fee to their captain - donation from the 100 Club activity (have you and your family got a share only 18pa?), and other donations and social events. All members are asked to do their bit to keep costs down, or increase income you ring your captain to find out match arrangements, rather than the other way round, would be a good start. LET S DO EVERYTHING TO GET FINANCIAL SUPPORT OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE s POCKETS. STANDING ORDERS - Covers Annual Subs and Match Fees To note: Participants must commit to a TWELVE Month period when taking these out. Adult 20 per month Youth 10 per Month (Pre GCSE 2 per month) SUNDAYS only Half Match Fees to be paid by those participating in a SECOND game over a weekend, unless it is a rearranged LEAGUE game, when full fees are payable. NOTE: ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE - NO PAY, NO PLAY SELECTION FOR MATCHES WILL ONLY APPLY TO PAID UP MEMBERS, And Insurance (3 RD Party) is only valid for fully paid up members. MEMBERSHIP FORM - PLEASE COMPLETE FULLY, AND LEGIBLY. Although it would not take a great swing in more costs, or less income, to bring the financial affairs of the Club in to deficit, it has been decided to keep the annual and weekly fees the same as last season. The rates of payment for next season are therefore: Annual Subs Match Fees Adults 70 7 Youth 40 3.50 (Post GCSE) 2 (Pre GCSE) Unemployed 40 3.50
Men s fixtures 2016-2017
Ladies Fixtures 2016-2017
Senior Membership form
Youth Membership form