LEWES HOCKEY CLUB
the Lazzati’s knowing a thing or too about good food the new
match teas are absolutely phenomenal.
The astro will, at some point over the next ten years need relaying,
but thanks to the excellent work of the club’s full time groundsman,
Dave Leach, the playing surface is still near immaculate. In the
short term what is needed is an upgrade to the floodlights and a
warm up practise area with AstroTurf. In the long term, the need
will be for a second pitch, especially if the junior numbers keep
growing and these are converted into adult members.”
Challenges
“I believe there are four main challenges facing the club, firstly
that we ensure the continued success of our junior section by
maintaining a strong and thriving mini section so that there is
wave after wave of new players progressing through the club.
The second challenge is being able to manage the changing
demographic of the playing membership via the recruitment of
volunteers - in the form of managers, coaches, captains and
committee members - to provide support to the player pathway.
This brings about a third challenge which is that we have a
coaching structure in place to help our juniors reach their
potential and in doing so support the club’s elite sides objectives.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is the challenge of
maintaining the club’s overall ethos by educating the upcoming
juniors and new members to the club on the underlying values of
Membership, Teamwork, Development and Enjoyment. In doing
so, we will maintain the friendly and family orientated nature of the
club and bring long term, sustainable success.”
Ambitions
“The dream would be to have both our Men’s and Ladies 1st
XI’s playing in their respective National Leagues, with the men
especially on the verge of achieving National Premier League
status. We want to have at least six ladies and six men’s adult
sides and at least two junior boys and two junior girls development
teams playing on a Saturday.
We’re looking to compete with the best and biggest clubs in the
country at U14s, U16s & U18s girls & boys and see our mini teams
at U10s and U12s boys and girls regularly making the county
finals and therefore qualifying for the regional tournaments.
From a facilities perspective our aim is to build a warm up
AstroTurf facility and upgrade the floodlights to allow the club to
host national league matches on Saturday evenings in front of a
packed home crowd. Also to gain a dedicated second pitch either
on site or within a short distance of the clubhouse. This would
support the ultimate aim which is to make Lewes a place where
every child grows up wanting to play first team hockey.”
Unsung Heroes
“Final comment must also go in appreciation to the unsung heroes
in the form of all the committee members - Steve Fuller (club
chairman), Sarah Hall (ladies club captain), Josh Pewter (mens
club captain), Iris Buckley (secretary), Martin Combs (fixtures sec),
Anna Fuller (membership sec), Steve Loader (junior development
officer) and Zoe Richards (Public relations) as well as all the
captains for their tireless efforts in helping to run the club. Without
these people Lewes hockey club wouldn’t exist.”
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