Sport In Profile UK Issue 16 | Page 19

Windsor Knights my skating, stickhandling or just general fitness, I’m always looking to better myself. The most recent role I’ve taken is the role of Ice Hockey Team Manager. This involves social media promotion, being the first point of contact for all players and also integrating new players into the team, from the moment they contact the club, to when they turn up for their training session. I get a big kick out of seeing someone play their first game after knowing that it all started out as a general enquiry into the Facebook page or an email through the website.” Atmosphere “We’re all very excited at the moment. The Windsor Knights started five years ago as an Ice Hockey team. We’re now a club with four different teams under the Windsor Knights banner, all started from scratch, all-encompassing the #hockey4everyone policy that we pride ourselves on. The Ice Hockey Team, Inline Team, Ball Hockey Team and Junior Inline Team are all very much part of the Windsor Knights family and we’re all working towards bringing more people into the sport.” 2017 “From an Ice perspective, we’ve completely overhauled how people join the club. Whereas before, we always welcomed people in, we’ve now simplified the process through our Facebook page, Twitter account and website. This has resulted in people being able to find us easily and we’ve introduced several new players to the club, some who are taking their first steps in the sport, some returning after playing in youth teams and some who are just looking for a new team in the area. Simplifying any barriers to entry has been a massive success and we’ve seen our numbers swell with players of all abilities joining our ranks.” Inline “The Inline Team have been training just under a year, have just entered a league and played their first games so there is a lot of excitement there. The Inline Team Manager, Owen Warne, found us at a Wokingham Fayre and from the first session where he turned up as a player, he now gives up his team to manage the Inline Club and he’s done a fantastic job bringing the Inline Team to the point they are now, in a very short space of time. We’re very lucky to have him.” The Junior Inline Club, run by Sam Bidmead, is just over one year old now and the team have just played their first ever game … which they won! The pride on Sam and Chairman Dan’s face was an absolute treat. Some of these children had never skated before but you would never have guessed it. We’ve just introduced a learn to play section for 1-4 year olds as well. They’re so cute and it gives them a chance to come to the hall and hit a ball with a stick, what child wouldn’t want to do that?” Ball Hockey “The Ball Hockey Team haven’t joined a league yet but we did just host the first annual Windsor Knights Ball Hockey Tournament. Eight teams came together to battle each other in a competitive (but friendly) tournament. The tournament was a massive success and we were able to give opportunities to people who had never played before as well as a disabled gentleman who got stuck right in and was one of the stars of his team.” Committee “All clubs have been overseen and all had massive contribution by Chairman Dan Pearce. If it wasn’t for him, this club would’ve stood still and possibly folded years ago. I’m not sure how he managed a personal life to be honest! We’ve assembled a really dedicated team here, all people who give up their personal time for free and do it for the love of the club and the sport. We also have Club Secretary Angela Holland who makes sure our books are in order and plays all of the adult sports as well.” www.sportip.biz 19