Cheshire Schoolgirls and Youth Report 2008

This season has been very successful and I think, very purposeful in the contribution of player’s hockey at School and County Level. At school level all competitions were well entered and out of the 3 Cheshire Schools that represented Cheshire at National Level – King’s, Chester and Lymm won the North Semi-Finals and went through to North Finals. Excellent standards set by those two schools.

At County Level all age groups were well attended and all competitions entered. County players have smart new kit and from those players selected only two across all age groups failed to attend all training sessions (mainly down to long term injury). I think the message has got through to players that playing for your county is an honour and if you are lucky enough to be awarded a place you should see it through. It is great to see the great expectations we have and have had over the years re-emerging.

County league results were very good (most notable U15’s 3^rd, U16’s 2^nd)

With the ‘single system’ structure for Hockey being in the development stages; this season looks set for great changes. The imminent divide of Cheshire East and Cheshire West will have a considerable impact on county Hockey for both girls and boys from September 2008.

Many thanks to all the fantastic volunteers; coaches; tournament organisers; team managers and PE teachers who umpire; host tournaments and enter teams into our competitions. I think you will all agree that our tournaments should remain as ‘Cheshire’ as a whole as they are an opportunity to play different schools across Cheshire. Thanks must be given to Sue McCarthy who has organised the outdoor Cheshire Tournament for more years than she cares to tell me. The tournament is a great success and run so well. Nina Carter at Lymm has taken on this role.

And finally…

As the role of secretary has increased incredibly since I took on the role three seasons ago more help is needed within the committee. In a voluntary capacity I am unable to represent CSYHA at Cheshire Meetings; development group meetings and single system meetings. At schools level I am happy to continue as secretary.

On the county side with the split of Cheshire into East and West a co-ordinator is required to oversee hockey at schoolgirl county level. A secretary is required to oversee West Cheshire Academies and the same on the East side; I am unable to do this. If there are no volunteers then I worry about the future of County Schoolgirl Hockey in Cheshire. I am willing to see what happens this year and continue with my role but if there is no additional help with regards to co-ordinating and administrating the county JDC’s and JAC’s – they will not run next year. This year we are running U18, U17, U16, U15, U14 teams as Cheshire as a whole. U13 will start the east and west divide if volunteers are found.

CHESHIRE SUCCESSES

Team Successes 2007-08

Outdoor:                     

Under 19

Winners:                      Wilmslow High School Runner-up:                    Sir John Deane’s

Under 16

Winners:                      The King’s School, Chester     Runner-up:                    Lymm High School

Under 14

Winners:                      Wilmslow                                  Runner-up:                    Queen’s School

A volunteer is needed to run the outdoor tournament. This includes someone to organise the finals day. Please contact Claire Sumner if you are willing to organise this.

Indoor:            

Under 19

Winners:                      Sir John Deane’s              Runner-up:                    Queens School

Under 16

Winners:                      The King’s School, Chester     Runner-up:                    Bishop Heber

Under 14

Winners:                      Wilmslow Runner-up:                    Bishop Heber

Thank you very much to Lucy for her continued organisation of this competition.

Claire Sumner