Ladies 3rds mid season report

New season, new formation and still having lots of fun.

We started this season with a new formation. New formation = new foundation which with each week we keep building on. Half way through this season, we have drawn 3 matches and won 2. We have already got more points this season than we got for the whole of last season.

This season has provided an unusual problem for the ladies captains… too many players!!! Yet, of all the problems we could have, I’m happy with this one and in Hockey Roos style (I’m not normally a fan of Oz sports) we are totally using this to our advantage. Although this had the potential of creating a fragmented game, with the support of our team coach Dan, it has done the opposite. There’s no need to be tired and players are generally having an even game. This has also shown some amazing versatility in our team, with players adapting to different positions and totally shining in them.

Heather has moved from defense to a winger and scored her 1st goal. Jenny is our leading goal scorer and now facing a title of ‘hat-trick avoidance’. Laura has shown some great skill at causing problems for the opposition on the left and in Dan’s words, her match against Findern was her best performance yet. Both Laura & Rosie, apart from being awesome, had the role of reminding us of what we CAN achieve. With 3 draws & 2 wins so far, it’s working… keep it up girls. Kate has moved from wing to inner and Louise has moved to centre half. Both are shining in these new positions. Rachel H goes from strength to strength each week (& no Gill you can’t have her). Having only started hockey towards end of last season, Miss slippery shoes Angie and Miss bargy Nathalie are showing amazing skill improvement each week. This combined with their energy and enthusiasm, makes them very frustrating for the opposition to play against. Terri is as always, very speedy and blinding in her tackles. Our versatile all rounder Jo has shown hidden talents in goal. Charlotte R has been brilliant in midfield and stepped up to the challenges in defense when required. Nikki has managed not to ‘do a Nikki’ and has been solid in defense. Jess has been playing some superb hockey and her match vs Matlock 5ths has to be her best yet. Izzy has been making some awesome saves and in Dan’s words, the match against Belper was her best yet, but lets not forget that win against Burton as well.

This season has seen many newcomers to the 3rds – Abi (our super sub), Heather, Sara, Fuzzy and Jacqui. They are now all regulars to our squad which is ace.

A big thank you to those who given school/work/tennis commitments, still give us so much support. Thank you Charlotte H, Julia, Ruth and Jess D.

Also thank you to Ellie, Donna & Gill for going in goal for us when we’ve been short.

Thank you Will for passing your umpiring course and umpiring so many of our games. Thank you to all those who umpire for us, Val, Chris, Dan, Dave, Will, Paul, Des, Michelle, Helena and Neil. We really appreciate it, without you there would be no game.

Rachel Fearn we wish you a speedy recovery, we miss you.

Angie, as Jenny has said, your talent is wasted is nursing, you should retrain and be a roving reporter. We love reading your match reports. I read with anticipation even when I’ve played in the game.

Dan Dan Dan. Personal big thank you. I struggled last season to lead a team on the pitch, to see our strengths and opportunities and develop them. With your help and leadership this year we have all improved individually and we have really developed as a team. A massive thank you from the whole team.

Dan’s team aim for us next half of the season.
Next half season our team aim provided by Dan is to take each game one at a time and improve our hockey against each team we faced in the 1st half of the season.
So what does that mean??? Stronger defense, better passing, improved team work, more goals and yes yes yes, definitely more FUN.

Bring it on.

The biggest THANK YOU of all is from US to you Annie...

for the endless hours you put in so we can just "turn up and play".

I don't think any of us know the full lengths you go to, but some of us have an idea and it involves hard work, paperwork, treasury skills, endless meetings, worrying if you have a team to put out, dealing with last minute problems (and no matter how excellent your planning... other people always manage to throw you a curve ball) and sometimes you have to organise the opposition as well !

You do a most excellent job and put the FUN in Hockey ! - Thanks

xxx