Hockey Report – Ladies’ A 2012/2013 Season

By Jenna Riekert, Ladies A Captain

Having been relegated to the 2nd Division at the start of the season, we were more determined than ever to produce some goals this season. Previously, we somehow weren’t able to put the ball in the box…but something magical happened this time around, and we couldn’t seem to keep the ball out of the goals! With a massive 62 goals scored for us and just a measly 9 scored against us…the tables most certainly turned! Nat Caves did an amazing job in the goals, when the ball actually reached our defending D, but the fantastic defence normally held them off too.

The additions to our team did wonders for us as well. The strong defence and talented mid-field abilities of our Dutch friends, Hanette Otten and Christel Kolff, brought a new dynamic to the side, as well as new energy and great camaraderie. Our solid defence also included Karen Lee and Hester Grisel who worked well at keeping the ball out of the danger zone.

Games were more entertaining and we played some seriously superb hockey, textbook hockey in fact! Sharon Leung also came as a welcome addition to our forward line and ran circles around our oppositions’ defence.

Alix Kavanagh ended the season as the top goal scorer in our division, with Sharifah Albukhary coming in at second place. Our storming forwards did a phenomenal job up-front and there were some excellent goals scored from Julie King on the wing. Lily Ng also had a great season and helped to rack up the goals for the team.

The structure of our midfield worked very well this season and even though there was a lot of movement of positions at first, everyone soon became comfortable with where they were placed. By the end of season, we had a solid structure working to our advantage. We welcomed back Sarah Morgan to the team and, along with Sarah Harden, Anna McConnochie, Christel Kolff and Alix K, they formed the solid midfield unit that became the core of the team.

It was a brilliant season for us as a team and we are looking forward to more of the same in the future. If we can continue to score goals like we did, who knows where we could end up…the sky is the limit!

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End of Season Report

By Chris Jenkins

Well, it’s been yet another eventful season, as we approach our ever shorter summer.

First up, I need to thank the captains and coordinators of the section. So, a big thank-you to Rich, Swarbs, Macca, Jenna, Keri and Pippa for getting the teams out and performing each week. For making sure as a Club that we didn’t get fined or docked points, as well as dealing with the intricacies of the HA, thanks to Sophie and Craig (and Boiler) – the whole section owes you a beer.

Through our mini coaching team of Andy and Robyn, we grew to over 90 children and now offer sessions throughout the week.

The kids entered several competitions throughout the season as we regularly put out 5 teams at U8, U10 and U12 levels. A big thank you to all the kids; and the parents who helped throughout the season. Pete Darley has done a fantastic job in revamping the programme and set up a great base for the future.

Yet again, the standard of hockey in Hong Kong has improved across the divisions, but the Men’s teams have held their own and 2012 proved a very successful one. The A team only lost a couple of games throughout the year, while the B team were promoted and are having a great season in their new Division. The C team has developed from a social team into a well-organized winning team. We are looking to create a D team next year to accommodate increasing numbers from within the membership.

It has been a great year for the Ladies too, with the A team beating all-comers in Division 2. The B team has acquitted themselves well and had some great results against the stronger teams in their league, eventually finishing third. The C team continues to surprise and have a great time on and off the field.

The Ladies swept the board when it came to silverware with the Ladies A being crowned champions in League 2. We have high hopes for them in the First Division next year. Both the ladies A and C team won their respective leagues’ seven a side tournament – a fantastic achievement. Fingers crossed for the Men’s A team to chip in with the HA Cup.

On the social side, the Section has held many successful events including barefoot bowls, over 100 people for the Christmas party and the ever popular pool party.

We sent teams to tour Singapore from both sides of the section, performing admirably both on and off the field. We hope to undertake more tours including Penang and, further afield next year.

I’d like to thank our Head Coach, Andy Smith, for all the hard work he has put in over the year; sadly he had to return to Europe to reunite with his family. He may be back in Hong Kong one day.

Last but definitely not least, a big thank you to Kerry Hassel who has been with us since the first days of the section. We have been exceptionally lucky to have a coach of his experience and skills. His influence amongst the ladies has been immense and he will be very much missed.

Best of luck to Matt Deayton as he takes over the role as Section Convenor – HKCC Hockey will be in very good hands!

Enjoy the summer (hockey starts again in June!)

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A thank-you to Chris Jenkins, the retiring Convenor for the Hockey section

By Rupert Purser

Chris has been the Hockey Convener since 2010, when I handed him the mantle and we ran just two Men's and two Ladies’ teams from a collection of players largely recruited from the touring teams of Football Club and Valley.

Chris's achievement has been to move the section forward, developing the culture to that of a family focused section with a thriving and growing junior and mini hockey offering, and now fielding four Men's and three Ladies’ teams.

Regionally, we are recognised as a Club people want to play and we regularly receive invitations to join international tournaments and also to host touring sides in Hong Kong.

A little known fact about Chris is that he is not Welsh! Taffy, to his teammates, also represented the Hockey section on the Club's General Committee and, while we no longer have an unbeaten record of Cricket against the Taverners, he has facilitated a better social interaction between the Hockey and the other sporting sections and even made a few lateral recruitments in the process.

Matthew Deayton is taking over as Convenor and Chris, myself and the rest of the section look forward to supporting Matt as he looks to develop the section further over the next few years.

But first - on behalf of the section and Club as a whole - Thank you Chris!

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