New Forest Hockey Club’s men and women celebrate respective South Central Men's Division 4 South and South Central Women's Division 1 South league title triumphs
NEW Forest Hockey Club’s men’s and women’s first teams are celebrating a double triumph, with both sides winning their respective league titles.
The teams not only won promotions but also their leagues – both with three games left – with the women firmly putting last season’s relegation behind them.
On top of the first team’s successes, the men’s and women’s second teams are also set to deliver their best-ever finishes.
“What a phenomenal season it has been for both our flagship teams”, said New Forest Hockey Club chairman and women’s first team coach Chris Stokes, adding: “With both sides being crowned champions with three games in hand.
“The quality of hockey on show is down to the hard work and dedication of not just the players involved, but the fantastic coaching that has paved the way to this success, along with the players not involved in the first team squads who train just as hard and put pressure on those players above to make sure they are at the top of their game.
“Not only this, which has been just as much a victory for me, is the way we are integrating the juniors into adult hockey step by step and aiding their pathways into higher-level hockey.”
Stokes added: “For my first season as chairman, I have seen the tireless work behind the scenes to ensure this club is run correctly and enables everyone to play really good hockey.
“I truly am proud of everyone in the club for the effort and dedication every single person puts in. Very blessed to chair this wonderful club!”
From the very first training session, the men’s squad aimed to play in a more structured style and bring through fresh legs and fresh faces. This allowed a bigger squad to train with greater intensity and quality.
They hoped it would lead to a better style of hockey and better outcomes, resulting in as many points as possible. With the help of coach Scott Addyman, the firsts won 15 of their 19 games played, with two draws and two losses, scoring 96 goals with three games left.
After an unfortunate relegation last season and multiple players leaving, with some heading to university, having babies or moving clubs, the women’s first team knew that, whilst being favourites to be promoted, it would still take a monumental effort to achieve.
Under the direction of coach Stokes and the support of New Forest Hockey Club stalwart and captain Lia Harper, the women believed they had the ability to challenge for the top.
After a recruitment drive and multiple promotions through the youth ranks, the women started the season impressively. By mid-way, they had accrued 28 out of 33 available points whilst conceding just two goals.
A key moment in the season came against Poole Hockey Club. Finding themselves 3-1 down, the New Forest women played their best hockey against a very good side to come back and win 4-3.
Their record is 15 wins from 19 games, with three draws and a loss. In that run, they scored 55 and conceded just 13.
In the second half of the season, the club took tremendous pride in promoting three juniors into the team, Poppy, Phoebe, and Kitty, who have taken to ladies’ hockey at such a high level, like ducks to water.
