Category: County Hockey

Nottinghamshire Promoted in England Hockey’s County Championships

Nottinghamshire Promoted in England Hockey’s County Championships

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On a sunny, but breezy, Saturday at Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Essex, Nottinghamshire Hockey Association’s senior men’s County squad faced their sternest test of the last few season, a promotion battle into the second tier of England Hockey’s County Championships.

A strong squad by all accounts, but one that would only travel with 16 due to the last minute withdrawal of 2 players (one due to work commitments and one to a bereavement) Notts were confident going into their semi-final against Herefordshire.

Manny Soar forces the Herefordshire 'keeping into a good save early on in their County Championships Semi Final
Manny Soar forces the Herefordshire ‘keeping into a good save early on in their County Championships Semi Final

Notts started well and pinned Herefordshire deep in their own half for prolonged periods. Notts skipper, Adam Innocent, and Manny Soar forced Herefordshire’s goalkeeper into some smart saves early on, but it wasn’t until 2 minutes from half time when the sustained pressure paid dividends and Mark Northcott struck to put Notts ahead.

Notts' skipper, Adam Innocent, scores Notts 5th v Herefordshire
Notts’ skipper, Adam Innocent, scores Notts 5th v Herefordshire

With the winner of this game guaranteed promotion, Notts forged ahead in the second half and made their possession count. A converted Penalty Stroke by Sam Dixon and a fine finish by Adam Henfry saw Notts 3 ahead. Herefordshire tried forcing themselves back into the game and pulled a goal back from a Penalty Corner with 8 minutes to go, only for Nortcott to double his tally and restore Notts 3 goal lead just 2 minutes later. Hereford scored another with 5 minutes to go to raise their hopes, only to have them dashed by a double strike by Notts skipper Innocent. The first a rifling strike from the top of the D into the bottom corner and the second a cheeky lob to the far post which the Herefordshire ‘keeper could only watch helplessly. Final score Notts 6 v 2 Herefordshire and on to the final at 3pm.

With Notts primary aim of getting promoted into ‘B’ division confirmed it was a relaxed, but tiring squad that faced Surrey, returning after several years’ absence from the competition, in the ‘C’ division final.

Surrey were confident, having only conceded 3 goals in their last 5 games, but after several near misses when it looked easier to score, it was Notts who made it count first when Northcott finished from a clever Penalty Corner routine. Northcott struck again from an overtime Penalty Corner at the end of the first half to double his and Notts tally.

Notts 'keeper, James Wakeland, and Matt Orridge concentrate through a crowd during a Surrey PC in the C Division Final
Notts ‘keeper, James Wakeland, and Matt Orridge concentrate through a crowd during a Surrey PC in the C Division Final

The second half started with a ding-dong battle. Sam Dixon extended Notts lead just 2 minutes into the second half only for Surrey to pull one back just 2 minutes later. Sixty seconds later Surrey scored again to reduce the deficit to one. Just 5 minutes passed before Notts Alex Davies finished calmly after some good work by Sam Dixon to restore Notts 2 goal advantage. But, as the short-handed Notts squad began to tire, Surrey started to get the upper hand. Surrey scored from a Penalty Corner and then from free play to bring the scores level. With 5 minutes left Surrey controversially took the lead and it was an exhausted Notts squad that conceded their 6th goal of the game with seconds remaining to lose 4-6.

After several seasons back in the competition Nottinghamshire now seem to have a stable core of squad players and will be looking to improve further in next year’s competition. For full details of Nottinghamshire Hockey Association news, including how you could get involved in hockey in the county, visit www.nottshockey.org.uk

Notts HA Squad - Promoted from C Division
Notts HA Squad – Promoted from C Division

Nottinghamshire Squad

Amo Soar – Head Coach
Phillip Rhodes – Assistant Coach (not present in photo)
Sara Parr – Manager

John Short – Boots HC
James Wakeland – Newark HC
Nathaniel Hammond – West Bridgford HC
Ben Docherty – Boots HC
Josh Dixon – Newark HC
Alex Whitt – Boots HC
Matt Orridge – Mansfield HC
Sam Dixon *Belper HC, England U16/U18
David Ebbage – South Nottingham HC
Henry Baldwin – West Bridgford HC
Luke Davies – Boots HC, South Africa U16/U18
Oliver Matharu – West Bridgford HC
Adam Henfry – Boots HC
James Hewitt – South Nottingham HC
Manny Soar – Boots HC
Mark Northcott – *Burton HC
Alex Davies – Newark HC
Adam Innocent – Boots HC

*Note the England Hockey County Championships is open to players of affiliated Clubs within the County, plus those born and/or living in the County.

Men’s Senior County Championships – Open Coaching and Trials

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It’s all change for the Nottinghamshire Men’s County side for the County Championships in 2015, with Amo Soar and Phil Rhodes taking on the head and assistant coach roles respectively.

The preliminary tournament will be held on 9th-10th May 2014 at the Dorcan Academy in Swindon.

Please can you pass this information on to all male players within your club and emphasise to those players likely to come along that, at the very least, the first two training sessions and selection are fully open to all, AND FREE.

This is a great opportunity to train alongside some different people to usual, maybe learn some new skills and maybe challenge yourself.

With Notts clubs fairing well this season we are hoping to represent as diverse a spread of the County teams as possible.

The training/selection session dates for your diary are…..

  • Tuesday           7th April     7-9pm – Training & Trials OPEN TO ALL
  • Tuesday           14th April   7-9pm – Training & Trials OPEN TO ALL
  • Wednesday     22nd April  7-9pm – Training & Trials OPEN TO ALL
  • Tuesday           28th April   7-9pm (may be 7:30-9:30pm TBC) – TBC
  • Wednesday     6th May     7-9pm – TBC

(The TBC will likely be a squad practice match and final squad training – attendees will be informed)

All training is at Highfields on the Water.

Please try to arrive 15 minutes early to all of the sessions so we can maximise the pitch time.

As mentioned earlier, the preliminary tournament for entry into Finals day will be held at the Dorcan Academy, Swindon on 9th – 10th May 2015. An overnight stay will be required and will be supported by the County Association.

If we finish in the top 2 of the group we will qualify for the Semi-Final / Final on Saturday 30th May at Old Loughtonians, where another overnight stay is probable and, if necessary, as before, will be supported by the Association.

To qualify to play for Nottinghamshire you must meet one of the following criteria;

  • Play for a Nottinghamshire affiliated club
  • Live in Nottinghamshire
  • Attend a School or University affiliated to Nottinghamshire
  • Have been born in Nottinghamshire

Criteria will be applied in the above order of preference.

Please feel free to invite others along to the training sessions if they meet the above criteria.

Can we also ask that players e-mail gareth@nottshockey.org.uk so we have rough idea on our many players are coming.

All attending players should also fill out and print the attached Player Details Form and bring it with them when they attend.  No player will be able to participate in the final squad without one!

Player Details Form

Recruiting : Senior Men’s County Squad Manager

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Following on from the appointment of Amo Soar and Phillip Rhodes as the coaching team, Nottinghamshire Hockey Association are inviting applications for the post of;

Senior Men’s County Manager

This is an ideal opportunity to assist in the county squads tournament organisation and administration.

Initially, the role will include informing potential players of trials and coaching sessions and inviting potentially suitable players along.

Then, as well as liaising with Tournament Directors and Tournament Officials you will also be required to attend tournament meetings, pass on relevant rules and regulations info to coach and players, assist in pitch side paperwork and ensure (as far as practical) player eligibility.

Depending on experience, the manager may also have some input into the squad selection process.

Please respond, to the Nottinghamshire Hockey Association secretary, Gareth Parr via email – gareth@nottshockey.org.uk by 27th March 2015.

Interviews, if necessary, will take place in early April 2015.

Nottinghamshire Hockey Association Appoints Coaching Team

Nottinghamshire Hockey Association Appoints Coaching Team

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After an extensive recruitment process, Nottinghamshire Hockey Association is delighted to announce the appointment of Amarjeet Soar as Head Coach for the Senior Men’s County Squad.  He will be partnered by Dr. Phillip Rhodes in the role of Assistant Head Coach.

Amarjeet (or Amo) is an England Hockey qualified Level 3 coach and is currently a coach at Boots Hockey Club and has had extensive experience of coaching at most levels.  He has also worked as a volunteer at many International hockey events including the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Phillip is also an England Hockey qualified Level 3 coach and currently a coach at Boots Hockey Club.  He also holds a silver Goalkeeper coaching award and has been heavily involved in coaching age group squads for England Hockey’s Single System since 2010.

Nottinghamshire Hockey Association is a constituent body of the Midlands Region Hockey Association and endeavours to improve the standard of hockey within its County.

For further information please contact Gareth Parr (Secretary) via www.nottshockey.org.uk

Nottinghamshire Hockey Association - Recruiting Senior Men's Manager and Coach

Nottinghamshire Hockey Association – Recruiting Senior Men’s Manager and Coach

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Nottinghamshire Hockey Association are inviting expressions of interest in the posts of;

Senior Men’s County Manager

This is an ideal opportunity to assist in the county squads tournament organisation and administration.

Initially, the role will include informing potential players of trials and coaching sessions and inviting potentially suitable players along.

Then, as well as liaising with Tournament Directors and Tournament Officials you will also be required to attend tournament meetings, pass on relevant rules and regulations info to coach and players, assist in pitch side paperwork and ensure (as far as practical) player eligibility.

Depending on experience, the manager may also have some input into the squad selection process.

Senior Men’s County Coach

Any prospective coach should be at least EH Level 2 qualified.

This is an ideal opportunity to raise your profile within the national hockey community and increase your experience in a higher tiered competition.

As well as coaching the squad through he County Championships competition, any prospective candidate will also be expected to deliver a number of trials and final squad coaching sessions.

They will be expected to have input into the structure of trials and squad coaching as well as providing input into the final squad selection along with the captain and other senior players.

Limited financial support can be provided on agreement.
Please respond, stating which position you are interested in, to the Nottinghamshire Hockey Association secretary, Gareth Parr via email – gareth@nottshockey.org.uk by 31st December 2014 with a brief copy of your hockey/coaching CV.

Interviews, if necessary, will take place during January 2015.

Men’s Senior County Championships – Open Coaching and Trials‏

Men’s Senior County Championships – Open Coaching and Trials‏

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This year, once again, Clive Morris (Head coach), James Hewitt (Brains/Hewy) assistant coach and Adam Innocent (Captain) are organising the Nottinghamshire Men’s County side for the County Championships in 2014.

After a disappointing campaign last season, Nottinghamshire are looking to rebuild. The preliminary tournament will be held on 10th/11th May 2014 at Deeside Ramblers HC.

Please can you pass this information on to all male players within your club and emphasise to those players likely to come along that the first two training sessions and selection are fully open to all, AND FREE.

This is a great opportunity to train alongside some different people to usual, maybe learn some new skills and maybe challenge yourself.

With Notts clubs fairing well this season we are hoping to represent as diverse a spread of the County teams as possible.

The training/selection session dates for your diary are…..

Tuesday 8th April –7:00pm to 8:30pm – Open to all
Tuesday 15th April – 7:00pm to 8:30pm – Open to all

Tuesday 29th April – 7:00pm to 8:30pm – Training Match v Lincolnshire – Final squad only
Tuesday 6th May –7:00pm to 8:30pm – Final squad only

All training is at Highfields on the Water.

Please try to arrive 15 minutes early to all of the sessions so we can maximise the pitch time.

As mentioned earlier, the preliminary tournament for entry into Finals day will be held at Deeside Ramblers HC on 10th – 11th May 2013. An overnight stay will be required and will be supported by the County Association.

If we finish in the top 2 of the group we will qualify for the Semi-Final / Final on Saturday 31st May at Old Loughtonians, where another overnight stay is probable and, as before, will be supported by the Association.

To qualify to play for Nottinghamshire you must fill one of the following criteria;

  1. Play for a Nottinghamshire affiliated club
  2. Live in Nottinghamshire
  3. Attend a School or University affiliated to Nottinghamshire
  4. Have been born in Nottinghamshire

Criteria will be applied in the above order of preference.

Please feel free to invite others along to the training sessions if they meet the above criteria.

Can we also ask that players e-mail Clive so we have rough idea on our many players are coming c.morris23@ntlworld.com

Regards

Gareth Parr
Hon. Secretary

Two New England Hockey Competitions for 2013/14

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England hockey are formalising two new competitions for the 2013/14 season.  If anyone is interested in forming a ‘County’ team for either, please contact me ASAP at gareth@nottshockey.org.uk

Entry forms can be found HERE

MEN’S OVER 60’S CUP

Profile: A new competition for 2013/14

Format: Each competition is played on a straight knockout basis. Teams who enter the Cup and lose in the first round will be entered into the Trophy, guaranteeing two matches.

Cup Entry Criteria: Very few clubs can field a team of players over 60. Entry is based on “County” teams. Eligibility to play for a team is based on playing for a club in that county or living in the county. More than one team may enter from a county, or two counties may merge to form one team. Team contacts will need to show authority (please send with your entry form) from the relevant county to play under their name. Players must be 60 or over on 1st September 2013.

Finals’ Day Sunday 4 May 2014

 

Women’s Masters Over 45s Cup & Trophy

Profile: A new competition for 2013/14

Format: Each competition is played on a straight knockout basis. Teams who enter the Cup and lose in the first round will be entered into the Trophy, guaranteeing two matches.

Cup Entry Criteria: Open to all Over 45s teams. Teams can play an unlimited number of guest players from up to five
local clubs. There is no separate Trophy entry. Players must be 45 or over on 1st September 2013.

Finals’ Day Sunday 27 April 2014

Men's Senior County Championships - Team Selection

Men’s Senior County Championships – Team Selection

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This is a reminder that Clive Morris (Head coach), James Hewitt (Brains/Hewy) assistant coach and Adam Innocent (Captain) are organising the Nottinghamshire Men’s County side for the County Championships in 2013.

Nottinghamshire came runners up in Division C last year and were promoted and so this year we are in division B. The preliminary tournament to decide semi final places for promotion to A division is being held at Durham University on 11th/12th May 2013.

Please can you pass this information on to all male players within your club and try and emphasise to those players likely to come along that the first two training sessions and selection is fully open to all, AND FREE.

With Notts clubs fairing well this season we are hoping to represent as diverse a spread of the County teams as possible.

The training/selection session dates for your diary are…..

Wednesday 17th April –7:30pm to 9:00pm – Open to all
Wednesday 24th April – 7:30pm to 9:00pm – Open to all (Sand Pitch)

Wednesday 1st May – 7:30pm to 9:00pm – Training match vs. Lincolnshire – Final squad only

Wednesday 8th May –7:30pm to 9:00pm – Final squad only

All training is at Highfields on the Water (Except as noted above).

Please try to arrive 15 minutes early to all of the sessions so we can maximise the pitch time.

As mentioned earlier, the preliminary tournament for enty into Fainals day will be held at DURHAM UNIVERSITY and will be on 11th – 12th May 2013. An overnight stay will be required and supported by the County Association.

If we finish in the top 2 of the group we will qualify for the Semi-Final / Final on Saturday 1st June at Abbeydale, Sheffield.

To qualify to play for Nottinghamshire you must fill one of the following criteria;

1) Play for a Nottinghamshire affilliated club
2) Live in Nottinghamshire
3) Attend a School or University affiliated to Nottinghamshire
4) Have been born in Nottinghamshire

Please feel free to invite others along to the training sessions if they meet the above criteria.

Can we also ask that players e-mail Clive so we have rough idea on our many players are coming c.morris23@ntlworld.com

Regards

Gareth Parr
Hon. Secretary

Round Up - SYD BAYLISS TROPHY 2012

Round Up – SYD BAYLISS TROPHY 2012

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West Bridgford Monarchs – Champions

Once again we would like to thank Andy Barnes for organising all the umpires, it really makes a huge difference to the matches. Many thanks to the umpires themselves.

The final results and completed league table is attached.

Congratulations to West Bridgford and many thanks to all of you for organising your teams!

We will be organising the league again next year along with our 6 a side summer league and of course the Beeston Sixes Tournament. I will be in touch with information next year.

Best of luck to all of you in the coming season,

David

SYD BAYLISS TROPHY 2012 Results