Colts Newsletter
December 2016
The Olympics have had a massive effect on our membership
this year – over 430 colts from 4-18. Well done everybody!
Firstly a massive Thank you to all the coaches and volunteers
who have done a great job, I hope Father Christmas is kind to
all of you!
We have endured many matches so far this season, as well as
our successful half term hockey camp with Rhys and Aurora!
Last Training:
Festive Final Training
Friday 16th December (U12/14/16)
Christmas Jumpers, Santa
hats and tinsel sticks!!
Sunday 18th December (U6/8/10)
Restrart:
Everyone….including coaches
6th & 8th January 2016
End of Season:
Sunday 2nd April
Friday 21st April
Colts Awards Day: Sunday 23rd April
County Squad Success
Well done to the following Colts who have been selected to represent their county.
Carmen Schellekens, Dora Savory, Hannah Bodoano, Immy Pepall, Lizzie van der Hoeven,
Poppy Walters Maddie Richardson, Grace Cresswell, Helena Hubbard, Alice Cobb, Zoe
Carter, Brydie Ault, Maddie Goldhawk, Maisy Ellis, Ella Chattock, William DiBiase, Daniel
Hitchcox, Cameron, Colloff, Sam Perryman, Harry McGugan, James, Furness, Max Whitfield.
Max Whitfield, Marcus Smith, James Furness, Ben Searle & Ben Symons
Friday Night Catering
After Christmas the kitchen may be
open on a Friday evening for hot food
and drinks. Come in from the cold after
training and have some supper/hot
chocolate. Bring your pennies!!
Ideas welcome…. We would like to raise some money for the colts section,
and have some Colts social events. If you would like to get involved with
ideas / organise please step forward.
Age Group Reports
Under 6’s
Full of passion, heart and lovely hugs from mums and dads – despite rain,
runny noses and the cold. The U6’s really have come on in leaps and bounds
since September. Numbers are consistently high with nearly 30 each week.
The enticement of coffee and bacon butties definitely helps ease the 9am
Sunday morning start! Boys and girls are progressing their skills, passing,
tackling, dribbling the ball with their parrot on the left shoulder! And more
importantly having fun!
A massive thanks goes out to the parents who turn up on the sidelines
who make our lives that much easier when the kids feel cold or in need of
a hug! And those that are regular helpers on the pitch! Craig Hogan you
are a legend in the bitter cold still instating on wearing shorts! Mega
thanks to Bertie, Hannah and Carmen, who constantly encourage all the
children. Every Sunday morning when I pack the gear up to go home with
Sophie I have a warm feeling inside and a smile on my face as AGM of the
U6s- to see parents and kids alike enjoying themselves is such a great
feeling .
Girls Under 10’s
The U10 girls have had a great start to the season with over 40 girls now playing in this age group, some with
more experience than others, but it's always great to see the girls who have been playing for longer really
starting to help the new joiners along. We have hosted two home tournaments and travelled to three away
tournaments, where we were able to field several teams, and had great success in teaching the girls match
play against a wide variety of different sides. It’s always really encouraging to see how the girls develop, both
during each tournament, and also over the course of the season. Energy levels have also been super high, with
all the girls really showing great levels of fitness and determination throughout all the matches.
Boys Under 10’s
What a journey we’ve had in the U10s. The switch to an earlier training slot has meant we have a group of just
over 30 boys who train regularly with a healthy mix of U9s and U10s. It’s been great to see a number of new
joiners.
Training initially focused on hockey basics and getting those who were new to hockey up to speed. The 1 st
festival was a home game on 9th October against Wimbledon and Aldershot and Farnham, then we were away
at Guildford on 13th November swiftly followed by another festival at Oxted on 27 th. By the time you read this
we would have hosted our own tournament with teams from Epsom, Old Georgians and Indian Gymkhana.
We and the coaches have learnt a lot from the festivals for developing the boys’ training and getting them
used to game play.
Our main aim is to keep the boys enjoying hockey and we are grateful to the support of parents and volunteers
to keep things going this season.
Girls Under 12’s
Imps: Despite the name, these girls are a force to be reckoned with on the field! The standard of play in this
team has improved a staggering amount in just a few months, thanks to their commitment to train and
improve their skills. They are really playing as a team, their confidence has grown, their skills improving and
best of all they all turn up smiling! We’re developing a solid defensive line and the midfielders passing is going
from strength to strength. Our forwards are racking up the goals, we see them wanting to win not just turning
up, which is making for a stronger and quicker play. It’s been a great start to the season. I’m looking forward to
seeing the girls build on their enjoyment of the game and their confidence. And as with the ladies teams, I look
forward to awarding more MOM and also introduce ‘wallies' for the post Xmas season!!
Giants: The Giants girls have made a good start to the season with 4 Wins, 4 Draws and 2 defeats thus
far. The biggest challenge for the team has been adjusting to new positions but with 7 girls expressing a
preference to play at the back this has been essential. To their credit they have taken on the challenge and
with each game they are looking more comfortable in their new roles. The foundation of the Giants success on
the pitch has been a solid defence with Maya particularly standing out and Goalkeepers Holly and Evie both
impressing when called into action. Up front Sophie continues to improve and it is pleasing to see her now
holding a much higher line. If the Giants are to progress this season it is important that the girls continue to
develop their basic skills and I encourage them to make every effort to attend training on a Friday evenings
and also find time to pick up their sticks and practice at home.
Wizards: This season has been a step up for many of the Wizards, some coming from the U10s, some new to
Woking and some completely new to the game. Friendlies and league matches have come thick and fast and
in all weathers they have never given less than 100%. Despite the loses, the team is improving week by week
in skill and confidence.
Boys Under 12’s
I am pleased to report that we have had some great attendance at our Friday night training – over 80% at
every session. The boys have competed in 4x 7 a-side festivals and 4 x 11 a-side Hampshire League Matches.
We would like to that all the parents for their support in helping out with team management and transport.
We have also seen a number of up and coming U10 boys who we hope to see take part in future festivals.
Whilst every team has come up against stiff opposition, the final scores in matches have masked their efforts.
At this point, the 11 as ide team is joint 8th and the & aside teams have won 50%, securing wins against
Surbiton, Epsom and Richmond.
Girls Under 14’s
Wildcats: The girls have started the season well: P5,W3,D1,L1 They are at their most dangerous when they
put together swift passing moves which result in shots on goal. All the forwards are contributing to the goal
tally and our strength in midfield means we are rarely dominated against. Strong tackling in defence is also
reducing the chances for the opposition. The team is benefitting with so many girls playing ladies hockey. This
is speeding up their development and providing more challenges to overcome.
Dragons: As the weeks go by, the difference in this team is
just huge! The team have grown in confidence and ability
which is so exciting to see. This is a young squad and each and
every girl is playing better and better. The results haven’t
gone our way yet but it’s just a matter of time. 2 draws and 2
losses means that we’re holding our own and the wins will
come. Ian and I cannot thank all the parents enough for their
help and support – and of course the girls who make this so
much fun! It won’t be long before we hear the Dragons roar
with their first win of the season!
Boys Under 14’s
U14 Boys halfway through the season, 5 points ahead. Played 6,
Won 5, lost 1.
Boys Under 16’s
We have 45 boys in this age group (the largest for many years) with a wide range of abilities so are playing 3
teams in different leagues. The first team is playing in the Mercian Premier league - the club hasn't had a team
at this level for a few years & with the coaching support of Max Deeley from Men's 1 they have been doing
really well, & are currently 2nd in this league. We also have teams in Wessex Div 1 & Mercian Regional +. We
have had many close, hard fought games in these leagues but have ended up on the wrong side of the
scoreline more often than not!
Girls Under 16’s
The U16A Tigers head towards their Christmas parties unbeaten in both the England Hockey Cup after 2
matchs and Regional League after 3 matches. Three of these matches have been on a knife edge from start to
finish against clubs with England players – but Woking’s teamwork and stamina have made them victorious
every time. They need to win the final 2 matches in both cup and league to be sure of going through to
Regional finals later in the spring.
The u16 Girls Development Squad/Hurricanes also have a clean sheet of two wins in two but sadly also two
cancellations. The squad is bonding well, just in time for the ultimate test of Surbiton who stand between
them and the Christmas pudding - which on reflection is probably the better sequence! They also have lots of
games in the spring so not too much pudding girls!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Amelia
Colts Chair: [email protected]