I hope you are all keeping safe and well as we continue through uncertain times. I’d just like to share an update on all things hockey as we move into the Christmas break.

BACK TO PLAY
We are back on the hockey pitches, but as we know this is only in accordance with the new government tiers and also England Hockey directions. So, post Lock-down, the club managed to field 8 hockey sides on the Saturday with some good results to help league positions and most importantly, we were back playing some hockey. Some of junior sides also managed to get some Hockey – with some more excellent results in the Home Counties League

However, this weekend, we were not so lucky with no League Hockey taking place across the club, but despite this we managed a full programme of Junior training and 3 men’s inter-club games on Saturday.

NEXT STEPS
With new tier restrictions put in place on Saturday, it’s hard to predict what will happen next and we will have to wait and see how the situation develops whilst remaining positive and planning ahead.

Your committee, team captains and coaches are continuing to focus on ensuring we can play as much hockey as possible as safely as possible. Not least our fixtures secretaries Graham and Baz Sparrey, who are working tirelessly to keep teams playing, whether we are looking at league games, friendlies or intra-club.

There was an update from EH yesterday and we will update you of the latest soon.

COVID PROTOCOLS
We are still amid a global pandemic with cases rising significantly. We must all remain extremely vigilant and ensure we adhere to the Covid protocols that we have in place around the club for the safety of all players and their families. This is a reminder that you must ensure you wear your mask when inside the club, wash and sanitise your hands, physically distance when not playing and do not use the dug outs to store your kit.

Our hockey club Covid officer is Graham Locker and you must report to her immediately if you:

1. develop coronavirus symptoms
2. test positive for coronavirus

If you have any other Covid related concerns please contact Graham.

NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST
The last 9 months has been a challenge for us as a club and there are plenty of people we would like to thank for their work over this time. There has been much to celebrate as a club, and with the restrictions we have been unable to do so and unlikely to be able to do so for the foreseeable future. Therefore, as a club we plan to announce a New Year’s Honour’s over the Xmas period to recognise those that have contributed to the club over the last 12-18 months.

If you feel there is someone, we should mention then please email to myself and the club secretary – hhcclubsecretary@gmail.com

CLUBHOUSE WORK
With the Pandemic, this has been put on hold especially with the club house generally be out of use. The kitchen is pretty much complete, with the next project being the bar and furnishing the bar area in the New Year. We are also looking to install new outside lights to enable us to be outside when the weather improves, this will also include us acquiring some Gazebo’s and outdoor furniture to use. Therefore, we will be looking ideas for some fundraising opportunities to help with these projects

So finally, I would like to thank you all for pulling together during these difficult times, and an extra special thank you to the committee, captains, coaches and helpers who continue to work hard to ensure we can keep playing hockey.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and remember to keep fit!

Chair.