We are sorry to announce the recent death of Life Member, Roland Price. Roland has been suffering from ill health for a number of years and our thoughts are with his family.
Martin receiving his Order of Merit from FIH President Leandro Negre at the FIH Congress Dinner held in Dubai. Martin Gotheridge was awarded the Order of Merit by the International Hockey Federation at a dinner held during the FIH Congress in Dubai in November 2016.
Order of Merit is the FIH’s highest individual honour. The award was given to Martin for all of his wor
The mens vets A side retained the annual Highfields Masters Summer League trophy, after coming out on top after 14 games over 7 Monday nights, just pipping Burton to the title.
With a cast of thousands, we again entered 2 sides, and the B side finished a creditable mid-table. Well done to new vets captain Ed Binder, thanks to Mark Carroll for sorting sides, and Highfields for running the ---- read more
WBHC first male International Player
I am delighted to announce that Tom Barratt has become our first ex-junior and senior male player to play International Hockey. Tom was born in America, and he made his debut in the USA Chile match earlier this month. He was voted MOM and has since played 4 more matches for Team USA. He is currently training full time at their California training camp. Some links: http://www.teamusa.org/usa-field-hockey/features/2014/august/01/us-mens-national-team-begins-second-summ ---- read more
New Kitten AND Baby Christmas
We are delighted to announce the arrival of Holly Victoria Cattaway on 17th Feb, weighing 8lb 3oz. Congratulations to The Cat and Georgina. In addition we are delighted to announce baby Evie Hammond born on Christmas Day, mum Kirsty and dad Dan are comtemplating the interesting issues that the poor choice of day will bring over time, or perhaps not! Either way Evie is a delight at 7lb 10oz and I can vouch for her powerful grip. ---- read more
Not Getting Club Email?
I have noticed that AOL has decided that our legitimate emails are spam and therefore are bouncing our emails to members who use an AOL email address. If that is you please ask AOL to desist or change your email address to one that isn't so silly. ---- read more
Ladies rearrange the vase!
After a good 11-0 win over Aztecs (thanks to Don Cortez and the smallpox virus for inspiration) the ladies 1s travelled to sunny Liverpool for their second round EH Vase match against Liverpool University 1s. After a swift calculation we noted the average age of our team to be approx 30, (had to take socks off) we agreed (well I did) that experience would have to be the difference between the sides. And so it proved. In an exciting second half we pulled back to 3-3 and looked set for a win ---- read more
U18s Done Roaming
The Cannock boys were pleased to draw WBMHC in the third round of the EH U18 Cup, after all, they had comprehensively beaten our U16’s last season and they are…..Cannock. Their coaches were more cautious though and were right to be so.
Having ended last season as losing Plate Finalists the first game in the Cup this season presented a quandary; after two good years in the Plate (quarter finalists in 2010-11) maybe it was time to start taking some better scalps, or perhaps another nice run in the plate, after a heroic first round cup exit, would be good (especially considering we had lost eleven of last year’s squad). But our opposition, ---- read more
Nobody Does it Better
Hockey is not a sport in decline at West Bridgford. Far from it when I can announce that our most successful team of all time with an untarnished 100% playing record is our new 10th team. Skippered by Bob Douglas and supported by a fabulous mix of developing youth and too many years experience to calculate, the new? team won their first match at Belper on Saturday 29th September. By my latest calculation there is a 52 year age gap between the oldest and youngest, in what other team sp ---- read more
National Champions
2NDS WIN NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL ON GOLDEN GOAL - READ A VERSION OF EVENTS HERE ---- read more
U18 Boys take Silver Plate at Oxford.
Qualification for EH Finals Day is a success in itself. On the day, you are entering a new ‘festival’ competition of shorter games in which luck and nerve play a big part. This is an occasion to show hockey being played and umpired in ‘the right spirit’. All teams were there to win, but you had to accept that there would be winners and losers, good decisions and poor decisions, but it should always be a day to remember and cherish whatever the out ---- read more
Junior Finals
Well done to our boys U18s and our girls U12s who were involved in finals over the weekend.
The boys beat Reading on penalties to get to the National Plate Final where they were beaten 3-1 by Belper. A full report will appear later but well done to a great bunch of lads who have done brilliantly to get so far. Thanks to Clive Notman and Glyn Abba, who have managed and coached the team and to all the parents who have supported us with lifts all round the country, while we qual ---- read more
SHE HAS DONE IT AGAIN !
The England teams, athletes and their successes over the past year were warmly celebrated on Wednesday at the annual Hockey Writers’ Club Awards.
Helen Richardson, the 29-year-old Great Britain, England and Reading central midfield player was this afternoon named UK Players of the Year for 2010 following the annual poll conducted amongst British members of the Hockey Writers’ Club. The former Leicester player, who returned to England 18 months ago fo ---- read more
Bob wins Rushcliffe Sports Award
We are delighted to announce that Bob Douglas was last night (8 July) announced as Volunteer of the Year at the Rushcilffe Borough Council Annual Sports Awards. They acknowledged Bob's help in setting up Club/School links last year introducing hockey to a number of Junior Schools within the Borough. The Club echoes the achievement, and thanks Bob for all his leadership and coaching of the Clubs Junior sections since establishment in 1986. ---- read more
Our Junior Hockey Day is on the 7th October at 11am. Please help to get the message out there by distributing the flyer to places where parents and children might see it.
West Bridgford A and B finish second and third in the Lady bay summer sixes.
Ladies Back to Hockey
Our ladies Back to Hockey restarts for the Autumn this coming Wednesday, Sept 5th, at WB School, from 6.30 to 7.30. Don't worry if you haven't played for a while, that's the whole point of it! We'd love to see you give it a go over the next week or so.
nb Please come changed as we don't open our changing facilities beforehand.
Bob Douglas, Organiser, tel 07738 762897, bob@wbhockey.co.uk for more information
Juniors Now Up and Running
Sunday Junior Coaching is now up and running, see Juniors Page for details of revised timings, etc.
NEW SEASON - NEW PLAYERS WELCOME
Looking for a new hockey club? Just click on link to right to join, or contact geoff@wbhockey.co.uk or Martin 07768 526594 or Liz 07887 768665. We run 10 mens sides and 6 ladies sides plus numerous Vets, Juniors and mixed sides. Our Mens 1s are in the Midlands Premier and our Ladies 1s are in Notts Premier. We have a good social side, and well known for the real ale served at our Clubhouse. If you have not played for years, or want to give it a try, look out for our 'Back to Hockey' family sessions running in July and August (details below). Formal Club training starts from August (see diary section to right) - new players, just turn up at West Bridgford School, and the Juniors start from September 2nd at Becket School at 9.00, (see junior page for details).
Jonathan's challenge - Land's End to John O'Groats - by bike
Jonathan Radford will be cycling this 1,000 mile trip in August in memory of his father Andy, who many will remember supporting Jonathan at games as he progressed through the men's teams over recent years from a junior to playing 4/5's last season. Sadly Jonathan lost his dad to Sarcoma cancer a year ago and is undertaking this huge challenge in his memory.
Jonathan is raising money for Sarcoma UK, and is asking players and members alike for support. Money can either be promised directly to Jonathan or his mum, or online through JustGiving, via Andy-Radford or Susan Radford pages.
Susan and Jonathan Radford thank you for your help
Charity News - Can you support Becca Dornan?
On the 28th May 2018 Becca Dornan is doing a skydive for Make-A-Wish UK which is an incredible charity that grant wishes to children with life-threatening conditions. Please follow the link below to see what incredible work they do and any donation, no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated! www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebecca-dornan
Under 10s' County Excellence
Well done to all 3 teams that played in the u10 County tournament on Sunday 25th February. West Bridgford Girls A team played really well together with some great attacking hockey and finished third place overall, only narrowly missing out on a runners up medal. West Bridgford Boys played some fantastic hockey with super effort from their squad of u10 and u9 players and finished 4th overall in the boys competition. West Bridgford Girls B team finished a very respectable 6th, battling hard against some tough opposition and performed brilliantly considering that many of them were a year younger than the opposition and had never played in a hockey match before.
2nd Team Kit Sponsors
Many thanks to Kate at Bee Clear Ltd - the new sponsors of the Ladies 2nd Team Kit. Congratulations to Robyn, Sophie and Laura and the other team members in getting their lovely new kit sponsored. Kate and Jason from Bee Clear were invited to a brief "thankyou" ceremony and to watch the victory over Boots Ladies. Cakes were also supplied for the Chairman, so the morning was a win win win for everyone (except Boots). Details of all our sponsors can be found on the FRIENDS page. Click here for slideshow.
Last is First
Whilst it was a tough season on the pitch across the club, almost unnoticed, we did have one pennant winning mens side to celebrate in 2017.
f you ever had cause to casually scroll all the way to the bottom of the selection pages or trawl through the lowest league of the MRHA you'd have noticed the 10th XI quietly going about their business and, after a superb season, finishing runners-up in the Central League Division 2NE.
Led by Clive Notman the 10th XI not only produced a number of excellent and unlikely results but equally magnificent players, with no fewer than 30 players - over half of whom were U16s and U14s - playing for the side. A number of young guns stepped up as the season went on but they were more than suitably replaced with the "next crop", supported by an array of adults of varying shapes, sizes and experience.
The final tally of 16 wins from 22 games and 48 points was a 10th XI record and a testament to the fine contributions and most importantly team spirit displayed across an arduous season, not to mention the tremendous "herding cats" skills shown by Clive who juggled availability, personalities and the drive to develop junior players capable of sustaining higher teams for years to come.
Pudding was the Winner!
Bowden breathed a sigh of relief at final whistle as they held on for a 2-1 win in the semi-final of EH O50s Shield, in a game they should have closed out in the first half. Bridgford struggled for quick ball control on the bouncy waterbase, and were quickly closed down by the oppo which did not give us time to get our passing game going , whilst Bowden moved smartly through the midfield to get the ball up to their left handed forwards. Only 1-0 at half time from a short follow up, and they scored a slightly fortuitously second with an accidental swinging stick follow through, before Ali Hunt pulled one back with about 10 to go. A yellow for Bowden in last couple of minutes, and then a short right at the end where they lost a defender as they broke early, but we did not make use of the many options. Great friendly game and good hospitality, including pudding!! Thanks to all who played this year.
Helen Wins Notts Sportsperson of the Year Award
Last night Helen Richardson Walsh was awarded the Nottinghamshire Sports Person of the Year. Bob and I were asked by Helen to collect it for her, which we did with great pride. Helen is a remarkable person and a great hockey player. She returned from serious injury in 2014 - 15 to win Gold in Rio, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few numbers - in case you aren't convinced - Youngest GB player to play in the Olympics (2000 in Sydney aged 18). 293 International caps, 45 International goals, shortlisted in 2010 for International Player of the Year, representing GB in 4 Olympic games, British Olympic Association Athlete of the Year 2009. And some colours - 2010 World Cup Bronze, 2011 EuroHockey Championship Bronze, 2012 Champions Trophy Silver, 2012 Olympic Games Bronze, 2013 World League Bronze, 2013 EuroHockey Championship Silver, 2015 EuroHockey Championship Gold, 2015 World League Gold, 2016 Olympic Games Gold. In my mind one of the greatest British athletes of all time.
Super Vets Stagger into Quarterfinals
Our Mens O50s went to a chilly Chesterfield and a slippery pitch and came back victorious with a 3-1 win in this Shield match. First half we struggled with the basics, and quickly went 1-0 down, but began to hit our stride in second half as played the ball around nicely and we pushed 3 upfront. 2 goals from Ebbo, the first a lovely deflection, and 1 from Pete Davis. Reward is a quarterfinal tie at home v St Neots on 19 Feb.
Ladies junior squad under development - initial (milk) phase.
We welcome to the club 2 new junior members, prospective first team centre forward Olivia Rose Taylder, and trainee sweeper Martha Wren Sibley. Keep up the good work Sibbo and Dave, the Club is grateful for your initial efforts, and Liz and Faye for making it all happen.
A Golden Hockey Day to remember
"You will need some insulation tape on that"
Thank you to everyone who came to take part and to help out today. The weather was nothing like as bad as forecast and everyone (I think) had a great time.
Special thanks to Helen who patiently signed autographs and posed for photos all the time that she was with us. No doubt Geoff will be putting up some of these photos on the website. For me, I will be making special trips to Bridgford just so that I can travel on Helen's No 8 bus!
Bob Douglas
Pictures from Notts City Transport of the bus naming are here:
Pictures from the pitch and clubhouse with Helen are here:
Many thanks to Andy & Zak Pendlebury for the brilliant images.
Olympic Gold
Fantastic stuff - what a performance by everyone - and well done Helen!
Ladies Hockey Fest Success
Well done to our ladies who competed in the England Hockey's Hockey Fest This summer. We came 2nd overall narrowly losing to Stourport on sudden death penalty shuffles in the final. However we did win the Rio themed fancy dress!
NEW SEASON - NEW PLAYERS WELCOME
Looking for a new hockey club? Just click on link below right to join, or contact geoff@wbhockey.co.uk or Martin 07768 526594 or Liz 07747 561774. We run 10 mens sides and 5 ladies sides plus numerous Vets, Juniors and mixed sides. Our Mens 1s are in the Midlands Premier and our Ladies 1s are in Midlands Feeder League. Our mens sides 2-4 are all in the highest Midlands Division they can be in. We have a good social side, and well known for the real ale served at our Clubhouse. If you have not played for years, or want to give it a try, look out for our 'Back to Hockey' family sessions running in July and August (see below). Formal Club training starts from 1st August (see diary section to right) - new players, just turn up at West Bridgford School, and the Juniors start from September 4th at Becket.
Local Hero and Golden Girl meets the President
Helen Richardson-Walsh popped in to ladies training on Wednesday evening to provide an important goal setting message for the ladies, "Bronze is OK, but Gold is what it is all about." The juniors were very excited to meet Helen and to "weigh" the European Gold Medal, while I suspect that the adults were even more excited. Helen was an inspiration as usual, with the message that if a local girl from 300 yards down the road can achieve gold then so can you. It helps if you are brilliant too I guess. Many thanks, admiration and good wishes for Gold in Rio, Helen. I have several pictures of the ladies with Helen, email if you would like the link to them. geoff@wbhockey.co.uk
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NEW SEASON DOCUMENTS
Availabilities - please use your members record for this. Bobs 2018 D Notice: here New Season Letter from the Chair: here
Subs Payment - BACS details on your members page or Credit Card / Paypal: here
NEW PLAYERS + TRAINING
Ladies Training: Re-starts on TUESDAY 7th August 2018 from 7pm Men's Training Adults re-starts Monday 6 August 7.30 sharp - 9.20. at WBS.
1sts and 2nds on Thursdays from 2 August 7.30pm by invitation.
Junior Boys and Girls - Sundays from 9.00, starts from 2 September AT BECKET SCHOOL. See Juniors page for more details.
AGM - 2019
TBA
SOCIAL EVENTS 2018/19
TBA
Order Club Kit
The shop for Club Kit other than playing shirts is here. KIT
COOPS - a personal story
Geoff has continued to write an account of Coops from a personal angle, which may be of interest to his friends and family. Installments #1 2 and 3 are here .
Selection
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Teams
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Members
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Coaching
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