We a looking for an additional coach for our Wednesday night training sessions, to start as soon as possible.
Advertisements
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Hope everyone has had a lovely break over Christmas and New Year. Training resumes on Wednesday 9th January at the usual timeslots –
U8 4pm-4.45pm
U10 4pm-5pm
U12 5pm-6pm
U14 6pm-7pm
U16, Development Squad and Back to Hockey 7pm-8pm (we will extend to 8.30pm when the weather gets kinder to us).
U14 East League begins Sunday 13th January and U12 East League on Sunday 20th January. Both are at Mary Erskine School in Edinburgh between 9am and 12pm. We are waiting on exact match times from the league organisers and will pass this on as soon as we have it. As always sign up through TeamApp.
Development Squad have their first fixture of 2019 on Saturday 19th January, away to Ross High (time tbc). Any player aged 14 and over is welcome to play in this squad – the more the merrier! Sign up through Suzanne.
The “January Jolly” for our U14, U16 and U18s takes place on Friday 18th January at Fountainpark in Edinburgh. We will be bowling and then heading to Mr Barsai’s for all you can eat buffet style feast. Exact times will be confirmed soon but we are looking at approximately 2.30pm/3pm meet at the bowling alley. Sign up through TeamApp.
Final thing is a request that all parents sign up to our TeamApp, even if your child only trains on Wednesdays and doesn’t do leagues or festivals etc. It is an important tool for us to communicate whether or not training is on as it is the one that gets the message out widely and instantly. The website and email posts go out at 3pm every day so if we cancel after that time, you won’t get the email until the following day at 3pm which is useless! We will aim to make a decision earlier than 3pm (usually 2pm deadline) so parents can make arrangements for school pick ups. However, there are times when we may need to cancel the later sessions whilst we are in the midst of coaching the earlier ones and TeamApp is our only way of communicating this news quickly. Please ensure you sign up to help us help you. I promise you won’t be bombarded with notifications!
See you soon!
Tis the season!
Now that we’ve hit December and the word “Christmas” can be mentioned, I thought it was time to let you know of our upcoming festive frolics.
First up is our Onesie/Christmas jumper Training Night on Wednesday 12th December. Players come along at their usual training time dressed in something festive, a onesie, their pjs, or just normal clothes if dressing up ain’t their style. We will play an interclub tournament with bonus points for the best named and best dressed teams.
Our Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday 19th December at Haddington Rugby Club. Our hockeytots will kick things off at 1.30pm then from 4pm until 5pm it will be the turn of our U8s and U10s (P1-P5). After a quick turnaround, we will be ready to entertain the U12s (P6-7) from 5.15pm until 6.15pm. Dress code is smart, festive or sparkly and we will have games, a chill zone, music, prizes and of pizza! We need an idea of numbers so I’ll be creating an event on TeamApp for you all to respond to. Please respond so that we can order the right amount of pizza. If anyone’s child has any food allergies, please let us know.
Later in the evening of the 19th, it will be the turn of the junior committee, back to hockey ladies and the development team, to have their Christmas celebration. We will be eating at Mazzoli’s at 7pm and having a secret santa. If you haven’t already let Meg know you’re coming then get on the case now!
Our final festive frolic will actually be in the new year with the U14 and U16s. They are too busy with their social lives in December so we have traditionally gone with a January date instead. This time it will be Friday 18th January at Fountainbridge for some bowling and food. Looking at around 2.30pm/3pm for 2 games of bowling (approx ÂŁ10) then either Nandos or Mr Basrai (around the world buffet). Again, I’ll do a TeamApp event so please respond.
Last note on Christmas – if any players are asking Santa for any hockey kit and he isn’t too sure what would be best, us coaches are happy to give him some advice 🙂
Gumshields
At our U14 session tonight, none of our S2 Knox girls had gumshields in. I’ve spoken to them repeatedly about the dangers of playing without a gumshield, including telling some horrible tales of what can go wrong. Apparently the thought of having scars, permanently losing teeth, having gaps, getting a plate fitted or tooth screwed into their jawbone, and all the pain that comes with those things, isn’t enough to make them wear a gumshield. At their age I should not need to prompt them to wear their gumshield because I don’t need to prompt younger children. The U16 and U18 girls can be equally as guilty of “forgetting” to wear their gumshield. Ironic really that the girls of these age groups are so concerned with their appearance, yet are happy to run the risk of ruining their beautiful smiles. I will continue to keep at them but please can you parents try to talk sense into them too. Thanks!
Surprises…
Myself, Amy and Meg were at the East Lothian Celebrating Sport Awards Evening tonight because I had been nominated as Community Coach of the Year. I didn’t win but turns out the night was to hold a surprise though. As we sat at our table, Susie and Tracey from Sport Development, asked where our band of people were.
Me – “Eh, why should anyone else be here??”
Susie – “You’re up for Club of the Year”
Me – “Whaaaaaat?!?! Are you sure?!”
Susie *points to programme with our name there in black and white*
Me – “ach it’ll be fine, we’ll never win…”
*10 minutes later*
Host – “And the winner is…Haddington Hockey Club”
Me – “oh $#*!”
This one is for all you players, parents, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have been part of any part of Haddington Hockey over the years. Clubs are built on people and we are lucky to have some pretty awesome people in ours ❤
Home baking request
Please can players bring some homebaking to the festival on Sunday. Thank you!
Haddington Festival
We are hosting a festival on Sunday 28th October, but you all know that as it’s been on TeamApp for a while now. What do you mean you aren’t on TeamApp?! Well you better get on it as that’s how you can sign your child up to take part in games and events. Go to your app store and download TeamApp. Then search for Haddington Junior Hockey Club (HJHC) and request to join the relevant age groups for your child/children.
The festival is running as follows –
U8 8.40am meet, 9am-10am games
U10 9.55am meet, 10.15am-11.45am games
U12 11.55am meet, 12.15pm-2.15pm games
U14 2.30pm meet, 3pm-4pm games
Get signing up folks, time is ticking!
U16 and Development Squad
As of Wednesday 24th October, training for U16 and Development Squad players will be 7pm-8.30pm. This will allow us to practice on the full pitch for the last half hour.
Halloween Fun!
This year Halloween falls on a Wednesday so we’ve decided training attire is fancy dress! Shinguards and mouthguards are as always essential, but witches hats, devil horns, zombie faces, bat wings, and anything else your little monsters can think of is allowed too 🙂 It’s not compulsory to dress up, we just thought it would be fun!
Futures Project
Love Sport? Exercise? Or just making a difference?
The Futures Project are looking for the next generation of people to develop sport and activity in your community. 2018 is the #YearoftheYoungPeople and as part of that the #FuturesProject is looking for young people to design, develop and deliver new, innovative and inspirational activity programmes. We want to create role models in our community who gain hands on experience in project management, marketing, programme and sports development.
The Futures project is not just about coaching. It is a personal development programme to give you real life experience of making things happen in your community. You will attend 2 Training days at Queen Margaret University, a Residential at Innerwick Outdoor Centre and gain mentor support to help you develop and deliver your project.
Why are we setting this up? It’s simple, we want everyone in East Lothian to have access to enjoyable exercise and sport programmes. And we think you may have some fantastic ideas that are ready to make East Lothian a better place to live. So we are going to help you maximise your potential and learn some key skills along the way. There are also added benefits….You will gain key employability skills, volunteer experience, life and business skills and so much more!
Unfortunately, it is no longer enough to have volunteered as a coach (although that is very important). You need to show how you can identify need, research, develop, deliver and then evaluate a project. By the end of the Futures project that is exactly what you will have done.
Who are we looking for?
Anyone. And we truly mean anyone. The only stipulation is you have to be between 11-21 years old. We are looking for people across our communities who have always thought…. I wonder if I could….or…it would be so much better if….  If you think that’s you, whether you are an elite athlete or someone who just cares then sign up below.
What will you have to do?
Participants will be supported to identify, develop and deliver sport and physical activity programmes within their community. These can be for a couple of weeks, a one off session or for a full block of activity. You will attend two training days and a residential in our local residential centre (during the February school holidays).
What will we do?
We will provide you with 2 training days, a residential experience like no other, support networks to help you develop your project and a personal mentor who will be with you every step of the way to ensure your project reflects your vision.
What will you have to commit?
Project will run between the end of September 2018 and June 2019, during this time participants will have plenty of time to research, develop and practically deliver their project. There will also be a number of training days to support people who are involved.
What are you waiting for? You have the control to make a difference. This project is all about YOU and YOUR ideas. So, if you want to make a change in your community and to improve your leadership skills go and sign up now #futureproject #yearofyoungpeople2018
MENTORS WANTED TOO!
The Futures Project is a programme designed for young people between the ages of 11-21 within East Lothian to create plan and implement a physical activity programme. Young People are the leaders of tomorrow and it is their ideas and creations, which will stimulate the rest of us to get involved in physical activity. This is where we need you!
We are looking for mentors to help guide the participants of The Futures Project with their ideas, understanding and to help give them direction and advice. Ultimately, the primary goal of a mentor is to build a sustainable and trusting relationship with mentees in order to enhance their ability to start, maintain and grow their projects.
What will this work require you ask? It’s very simple. You would be required to assist with 2 training days over the year and to be a regular support through online communication with your mentees over a slack channel to answer any questions they may have. There is also the opportunity to support with wider training if you desire.
If you would like to improve East Lothian and support the next generation gain hands on experience and skills to create a healthier population then this is your chance.
Check out http://www.activeeastlothian.co.uk for further information.
