SURBITONHOCKEY CLUB MAGAZINE

ISSUE 2 SEASON 2013-14

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Welcome to Surbiton Hockey ClubIt’s been another eventful and rewardingcouple of months for the club with muchcause for self congratulations (yes, that’sallowed given the clubs various notableachievements). November opened with theclub picking up five trophies at theElmbridge Sports Personality of the theYear Awards, including being awarded theprestigious Elmbridge Borough CouncilMick Burgess Sports Club of Year trophy.Individual squads’ achievements were alsorewarded with men’s first XI being runners-up in the senior category, the U12 Girlswinning the Junior category, the U14 Boysfinishing second and the U14s Girls third inthe Youth category.The men’s side qualified in Barcelona forthe knock–out stage of the EuroHockeyLeague that will be held in Eindhoven,Holland next Easter. The dates for yourdiary are 16th – 21st April 2014.Aussie Colin Stewart, who most recently was been working at the top level of New Zealand women’s hockey, hasbeen appointed as the club’s high performance coach for elite hockey in addition to his role as men’s first team’sassistant coach.The ladies first team squad has been further strengthened since the start of the season with the additions of JennaWoolven, who spent last season in Germany with Club an der Alster, Harriet Tibble, sister of men’s first team captainBen, who re-joined the club after spells in the United States with Maryland, and in Australia with Perth based WestsideWolves and Jess Rickman from Team Bath Bucaneers. Jenna, incidentally, was another member of the University of

Birmingham to switch sides having been in theteam that beat Surbiton in the 2011-12Investec Cup final, when she was one of thegoal scorers. Meanwhile Charlotte Calnan,Eloise Stenner and Sophie Fisher-Norton havebecome the latest colts to progress to the firstteam. The men’s squad has also addedanother quality player in South African bornWales international Chris Bowen, who playedlast season at Hampstead and Westminster.Our best wishes go to Giselle Ansley, GeorgieTwigg and Hollie Webb who will representingEngland in the Hockey World League Final inSan Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina from 30November to 8 December. We are hoping thatthey return with gold medals to proudly showeveryone at Sugden Road.Finally, welcome to our new sponsors BT Sportfor what should be an exciting partnership.

This is your magazine so it will be great to hear from anyone who would like to contribute, whether it be to commenton some aspect of hockey that affects Surbiton, to ask a player a question, or to suggest a subject for an article.Please email me at: tim.reder@tiscali.co.ukFinally, a big thank you to all the contributors and particularly so to Colin Pike and Sean Cotter, each of whose helphas been invaluable.Tim Reder, editorViews expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Surbiton Hockey ClubAll content is copyright of the authors. Photographs by Tim Reder (www.timrederphotography.com) unless otherwisestated. The action photographs from the match versus SV Arminen in Barcelona by Frank Uijlenbroek were kindlysupplied courtesy of EHL. Front cover: Ali Hitch in action v SV Arminen Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek

To advertise in future issues of the Surbiton Hockey Magazine please email: sponsorship@surbitonhc.com

Harriet Tibble in action againstLoughborough Students

David Kettle and Ben Tibble with trophies from theElmbridge Sports Personality of the Year Awards

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The resurfacing of Pitch 2 (our 5th artificialpitch at Sugden Road) and the constructionof the new changing rooms completes our30 year development programme. Thisstarted in 1983 when the 1st Xl werelanguishing at the bottom of the LondonLeague, and, without which SHC could havegone the same way as several of our majorrivals of yesteryear. The far-sighted vision ofthe club’s committee and a number of seniormembers resulted in the formation of a youthsection, followed by the addition of theDragons/8th X1 to introduce juniors toadult’s hockey.The pavilion (apart from the Men’s changingrooms) was rebuilt in 1986. The Ladiessection was formed in 1987, and the Ladieschanging rooms were added shortlyafterwards. In 1991 our men gainedpromotion to the National League and our first artificialpitch was completed. The second pitch (aka The Beach)followed in 1995 and the Colts Section was progressivelyenhanced resulting in a good throughput of home growntalent to both Men’s and Ladies 1st XIs.The Ladies terrific run of promotions over the last fewyears resulting in their promotion to the National League,means we now have both Men’s and Ladies in thePremier Divisions of their National Leagues and currenthome nation internationals gracing our sides once again.Development of the club’s facilities will no doubtcontinue, e.g. The Board is looking at improving thespectator experience by installing stands if we can raisesufficient funds, but we hope we have laid thefoundations for a very long and successful period at thepinnacle of the English game.Our ambition is to become one of the best clubs inEurope if not the world. So, it was especially pleasing tobe among the travelling support (SHC Barmy Army) for

our Men’s 1st XI on their recent successful visit toBarcelona for round 1.1 of the Euro Hockey League, theirfirst appearance in European competition for 10 years.We wish them well in Eindhoven at Easter when theycompete in the last 16 knock out stages.

1874 ClubIn preparation for the club’s 140th Anniversary in 2014,we are pleased to announce the formation of this newclub for supporters of Surbiton Hockey Club.Whether you are a former playing member, a familymember of a current or former player or the parent of aColt, the 1874 will bring you closer to the spirit of SHC,involving you in a range of events where you can get toknow the club and members better and entitling you to arange of member benefits including access to the barand other facilities.Members will also receive regular updates on the club,

exclusive 1874 merchandise andinvitations to 1874 club events.Look out for membership launch eventsat upcoming match and practice daysand through the SHC website. As part ofour launch we are pleased to offerautomatic enrolment for existing socialmembers and old members for 2014.

A potted history of the last 30 yearsfrom Club Captain Rob Dunn

The ribbon cuttingceremony for the new pitch

The first competitive goal on thenew pitch

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SURBITON are safely through the initial phase of theirfirst return to European competition in ten seasons after ahectic October weekend in Barcelona.Those who were around for the club’s only two previousappearances in Europe will recall that in those days therewere two separate competitions each taking place overone weekend – one at Easter and one at Whitsun.Surbiton first qualified for Europe as one of eight teams inthe 29th European Club Championship in May (Whitsun)2002 at Dragons HC near Antwerp as English 2000/01Premiership Play-Off Winners and so NationalChampions. They just missed out in the bronze medalfinal, losing 2-3 to Club Egara of Spain.The next season Surbiton qualified for the eight-club 14thstill-named European Cup Winners’ Cup (for whom bythen it had long ceased to be solely for) in April (Easter)2003 at Club Egara, Terrassa, as the English 2001/02Premiership Play-Off Runners-Up. This time they did winbronze, beating KS Pocztowiec of Poland 3-2 in the third-place final.Since 2007/08, however, the two competitions have beenmerged into one – the normally three-weekend EuroHockey League - which Surbiton at long last qualified forafter finishing second in the 2012/13 MHL PremierDivision and then beating Canterbury 5-3 in the secondsemi-final of the NOW: Pensions Championship Finals atReading HC in April.Over in Spain last month an eventually comprehensiveinitial win over Austrian champions SV Arminen on theFriday (October 11) proved enough to qualify Surbiton forEaster’s combined into a single-knock-out stage from oneof the four three-team pools (the other four pools werecontested in Lille two weekends later) despite a 3-0defeat at the hands of Spanish champions Real Club dePolo de Barcelona on Sunday.It was in fact our boys who set the seventh year of theEuro Hockey League in motion at the unearthly hour of9.30am on an unseasonably wet, windy and coldmorning.Playing at the Pau Negre sports park in the shadow ofthe now-deserted 1992 Olympic Stadium it wasappropriately one of our London 2012 Olympians, Matt

Daly, who got us off the mark from a 22nd-minutepenalty corner.But the game proved no waltz against determinedViennese opposition and it was not until the third quarterthat Alan Forsyth doubled the lead from open play on 48minutes.However, three goals in the last ten minutes made it asomewhat flattering 5-0 final scoreline. They all came inopen play: from Michael Watt in the 60th minute; thenJames Tindall a minute later; and finally Forsyth againtwo minutes from the end.The sun had returned to the Catalan capital on Saturday(October 12) as the Surbiton players watched Polo beatArminen 3-1 to ensure that both the Spaniards and theEnglish qualified for the knock-out round of the last 16.This took all the pressure off Surbiton on Sunday(October 13) with the only thing at stake being whowould have the kudos of winning the competition’s 250thfixture before a rampant home-city crowd.In the event the game, played in still hotter and morehumid conditions, proved something of an anticlimax.Polo converted a penalty corner in the 20th minute, apenalty stroke in the 29th; and another penalty corner inthe 39th. And that was the end of the scoring. ButSurbiton were through – which after all was the wholeobject of the exercise.

SURBITON MEN ENJOY SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO EUROPESean Cotter reports from Barcelona

Celebrating Alan Forsyth’s firstgoal against SV Arminen

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Pictures from

Barcelona

Michael Watt runs at Nitan Sondhiof SV Arminen

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Chloe Strong with partner Greg anddaughter Taylor

Chloe back in the big timeChloe Strong played a major part in Surbiton achievingPremiership hockey. Ever present in the ConferenceEast campaign in 2011-12, she topped scored with 12goals in those 18 games as she regularly hit the net frompenalty corners. A further 3 goals in 3 three games inthe play-offs helped earn promotion. Her performanceswere rewarded not just with on the field success forSurbiton, but was voted in to the All Star Team of theSeason alongside teammate goalkeeper IsabellaWilliamson, as Conference East Player of the Seasonand Player’s Player of the Season, the latter giving herparticular satisfaction. ‘It was nice to be Player’s Playerof the Year, that was great. It topped off a good season.’The play-offs (Investec Promotion Tournament) startedbadly with defeat against Buckingham at Bisham Abbey,before a draw with Slough and a victory over Beestonearned a place playing at the top level. ‘We thought wewere out then [after defeat to in the first match], but thelast two games were at Reading and we managed to pullit out of the bag. So it was a great team effort that yearand great to see so many faces still playing now.’ Thatseason Chloe also lined up in the Surbiton side that lostto University of Birmingham in the cup final at Cannock.Chloe has been playing regularly this season after herseason last term lasted just one match. She captainedSurbiton on its Premiership debut in a stunning 4-0 winover Reading when expecting her daughter Taylor, whois now five months old. ‘I did know I was pregnant butplayed that game and thought “No I can’t play any moregames”. I was only about eight weeks pregnant. Brett[Garrard, ladies first team coach] did know, but I didn’twant to take any chances. It was a great game andobviously the last time I played then.’ Chloe didn’t pickup a hockey stick during her maternity and missedplaying very much. ‘I came back for the first half of theseason [to watch], but it all got a bit much as I wasgetting a bit big. I was gutted that I couldn’t play last yearbut we’re still in the premiership and a force to bereckoned with.’Her comeback commenced with pre-season training inAugust and certainly she felt like she had been awayfrom the game for best part of a year. ‘Though I can stillhit a ball, it worried me that I could still do it and I’m stillworking hard at the fitness. I think every game feels alittle bit better.’Chloe was a relative late comer to hockey taking upplaying as an 11 year old at Nonsuch High School inCheam but her talents quickly made an impression.Turning out for Cheam Chloe was soon moving up theladder representing Surrey and South of England atunder 16, by which time she had moved to Guildford,then Woking, and under 18 levels, then managing in thelast year, through trials, to represent England at under18s.At 18 she left for Slough to get her first taste ofPremiership hockey when at University and was at theBerkshire club on and off for ten years. On moving toSlough she was soon rewarded for her performanceswith full international recognition. ‘I was in the Englandand GB set up and got my first cap when I was about 19against Germany in Germany. I enjoyed every minute

having to mark Natasha Keller even though we lost. Itwas just exhausting but a great introduction to theinternational scene.’Chloe would have won another few caps in 2005 butunfortunately she sustained a serious injury inpreparation for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. ‘In late2005 I ruptured my anterior cruciate knee ligament. Ittook me a good year to get back to full fitness butunfortunately too late for the Games.’ At the age of 21she had knee reconstruction and admits it has neverreally been the same since. ‘I plodded along in 2007 and2008 but wasn't close to making the Olympic squad forBeijing so decided to take up an offer to play for Pinokein Amsterdam for a season. Leaving Slough after sevenseasons (although I missed one with my year out) was atough decision as we had had such a successful fewyears, winning indoor and outdoor titles as well asmedals in Europe.’ In 2009 back in the UK playing forSlough once again she was selected for England for theChampions Trophy competition in Sydney July 2009,starting in all six games, and was a regular again thefollowing month for the EuroHockey Nations Cup inAmsterdam at which they won a bronze beating Spain2-1 in the 3rd/4th place match. Add to that Slough wereagain national league champions. ‘This was the onlyyear I actually played in major competitions butabsolutely loved it... just a shame I didn't make selectionfor any future tournaments. Playing in the European Cupcompetition was just fabulous. We hadn't expected to doquite as well as we did but that was Slough all over. Wewere big match players and when it counted we wouldbring our ‘A’ game.’ At Slough the team includedHannah Bowe, Hannah Coulson and Nat Mclean. I wasdelighted to hear they were all coming to Surbiton lastyear, but also gutted in the next breath as I knew Iwouldn’t be playing much, or… at all.’‘I played a year in Holland for a club called Pinoke inAmsterdam, which was fantastic. I was a professional fora season in 2008-09 after Beijing. Then when I played inHolland that’s where I reinjured it, so I wear a piece ofstrapping to support it. I played that year out there and itimproved my game no end, but then we all got recalledfor GB. We formed an elite squad of 35 players andbasically we all had to be based back here. I was in thecentralised programme based in Bisham Abbey, Marlow,for a couple of years but yet again not featuring in thecoaches plans for the Olympics. I was 'released' out intothe big wide world of working’Despite injury problems shelooks back on her time atPinoke positively. ‘That year inHolland was fantastic. It waslike playing an internationalmatch every week. We trainedfour times a week and it felt likeevery child had a hockey clubthat they were part of and thefamily would be part of as well.It’s quite like the feeling here atSurbiton. It was a very familyorientated club so I think that’s

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what they are trying todo here. That wasactually one of thereasons I came herebecause I knew it wasvery like that. I hadknown Brett for a longtime. I think it wasalways on the cards, itwas just a matter ofwhen. When I didn’tmake the Olympicsquad it was the righttime in my career andstage of life. I didn’tneed to be playingpremier hockey andtheir dream and goalwas always to go for thepremiership that year. ’With immediatepromotion that first yearChloe is pleased to seethe improvement in theplayers who made thestep up. ‘They are justgetting better and better.It is tougher and we arehaving to train harder.

The Futures Cup tournament at Cannock Hockey Club,played at the end of October/start of November, for the eliteyoung players in the country, featured nine Surbitonplayers.In the U16 age group, goalkeeper, Joss Mitchison wasselected for the Saxon Tigers Boys squad, SaffronMartineau for the Wessex Leopards girls squad, andCharlotte Calnan and Holly Munro were both selected torepresent Saxon Tigers, the latter as captain.In the U18 Age group, Matt Ming played for WessexLeopards, whilst Adam White and William Calnanrepresented Saxon Tigers. In the girls’ squads, NaomiKelly featured for Wessex Leopards and Kuda Kamwaza forSaxon Tigers.There were a number of Surbiton goalscorers. WilliamCalnan was on target scoring an equaliser for Saxon Tigersunder 18s before Matthew Ming converted a penalty cornerto give Wessex Leopards a 4-3 victory. Ming followed thatup with goals in games against Mercia Lynx, first in avictory in the round robin stage and then a defeat in thefinal. Kuda Kamwaza netted twice for Saxon Tigers u18s,once in the round robin against Wessex Leopards andagain as a losing finalist against Mercia Lynx. Holly Munroscored twice for Saxon Tigers u16s, both from penaltycorners versus Pennine Pumas.Further representative honours could follow as selectedplayers from the Futures Cup will be invited to attendNational Age Group Squads (NAGS) U16 and U18 training,from which the England squads will be chosen.

Surbiton Youngsters Star In Futures Tournament

Kuda Kamwaza in action and Matthew Mingand (inset)

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After eight matches of the 2013-14 Investec Women’sHockey League Premier Division season, SurbitonLadies had much to play for, with just seven pointsseparating the top seven teams, who were all fightingfor a place in the top four and the Championshipplay-offs.Surbiton began the season with a 1-1 draw at home toClifton, Georgie Twigg scoring against her old club.Twigg was also on target at Sutton Coldfield, whereRebecca Herbert, scored her first goal for Surbiton, andVicky Bryant also scored in a 3-1 win.The third league game set various records as Surbitonromped to a 12-1 win over struggling Olton & WestWarwicks. Jenna Woolven became the second Surbitonplayer to score a hat-trick in the national league,following Sarah Page’s treble at Slough last season;Sandra Frankland scored twice, Giselle Ansley, EmilyAtkinson, Sarah Page, Chloe Strong and Twigg allscored once, and to add insult to injury, Olton concededtwo own-goals.At Leicester, Surbiton had a harder task, Atkinsonsalvaging a point with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Thegoing got tougher when Reading visited Sugden Road,and claimed all three points, Strong getting a lateconsolation goal in the 2-1 defeat.Normal service was resumed when the University ofBirmingham lost 3-1 at Sugden Road, Herbert and Twiggscoring with Surbiton receiving their third own goal of theseason courtesy of a Birmingham defender.There was disappointment at Canterbury as in spite of ahard working performance, Surbiton’s lack of a finishingtouch allowed the hosts to win 2-1, after Vicky Bryant hadgiven Surbiton an early lead.Following a week’s break due to the Futures Cup,Surbiton regained their form, outclassing third placed

Bowdon Hightown 4-0 at Sugden Road, Page with abrace; Woolven, who was a late replacement for theinjured Giselle Ansley, scoring her fourth goal of theseason; one behind Twigg, who took her tally to five, toremain as Surbiton’s leading league goalscorer.In the Investec Women’s Cup, Surbiton had to fight toreach the quarter-finals after two tough encounters withIWHL Conference North opposition. After receiving a byein Round One, Surbiton made the long trip north toBrooklands Poynton, and after four minutes, seemed to beheading out at the first hurdle as Brooklands led 2-0. Byhalf time, Surbiton were back in the tie, Vicky Bryant andFrankland both converting penalty corners to make thescore 2-2. Incredibly, Ansley and Atkinson also scoredfrom set-pieces to give Surbiton a 4-2 lead in the secondhalf, but a penalty stroke with three minutes remainingkept Brooklands in the hunt before the final whistleconfirmed Surbiton’s 4-3 victory.In Round Three, Loughborough Students visitedElmbridge, with formerSurbiton player, EllieTait almost helping thestudents upset thePremier Division side.Tait scored anexcellent hat-trick, butfortunately forSurbiton, theirdebutant, EloiseStenner, Atkinson,Frankland, andWoolven enabled themto squeeze through 4-3for the secondconsecutive round.

Colin Pike reflects on aColin Pike reflects on apromising start to thepromising start to theseason for the Ladies 1sseason for the Ladies 1sl

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Captain’s Diary

Sarah HaycroftSeven weeks into the Investec Womens' Premier Leagueseason and only five points separate us sitting in 6th andReading at the top of the table, making the league one ofthe most exciting in years. As the results show, theleague is very competitive this year and the fight for thetop 4 and qualification for playoffs is fierce and could goto any number of teams. As there are very few 'easy'games this season, as a squad we always look toimprove game after game and continue to develop ourway of playing and our team dynamic. We have had quitea big change in personnel this year compared to last,through the introduction of internationals such as GiselleAnsley, Hollie Webb and Beckie Herbert, but also qualitygraduates in Emily Atkinson and Jenna Woolven. Emilyhas moved down to London on a Graduate work scheme,whilst Jenna has joined us after returning from playing aseason out in Germany. This extra strength added to theteam has made us real contenders in the league, andhopefully will help us improve on our 4th place finish lastseason. However, as always, with new players joining,and the international season finishing so late in thesummer, our first challenge was to develop as a newteam, integrate our new players and build sharedunderstanding. This was definitely our biggest hurdle toovercome in our first game of the season vs Clifton. Weknew that we had to keep everything very simple andstart to build the foundations of our team understanding.Although we did not come away with a win, we were notdisappointed with a 1-1 draw as our opening game as ateam. We showed great signs of what was to come but

understandablylacked the finalproduct. As theseason has goneon we havedefinitelyprogressed, ahighlight beingour 12-1 winagainst Olton andSandra Franklandbreaking the teamrecord of fastestgoal, with theopening goal ofthe game coming after just 13 seconds! As a team, someof our best hockey has come since our 2-1 defeat toReading, and although we have only won one gamesince then, vs the University of Birmingham, we haveproduced some great hockey, great team defence andpatterns of play. Against Birmingham we were brilliant onthe ball and produced some great opportunities,converting 3 of them, however against Canterbury wedefended as a team very well and only let them into thegame through our mistakes. This weekend we arelooking to combine our best features from bothBirmingham and Canterbury games to produce an allround winning performance in front of a home crowd! Thehome support is invaluable and provides us with thatextra buzz around the pitch and is our 12th man! We areall very grateful for the support we receive from the cluband hope we can repay everyone with some greathockey and a win at the weekend!!

Article written prior to home victory over BowdonHightown

BallControllers

M1s v Reading

M1s v Wimbledon L1s v Bowdon Hightown

L1s v Olton & W. Warwicks L1s v Univ of Birmingham L1sReading

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16 Photos: Tim Reder www.timrederphotography.com

Action

Giselle Ansley v University of Birmingham

Jenna Woolven v Reading

James Gall v Cannock

Ben Tibble celebrates hisgoal v Wimbledon

Emily Atkinson v Olton &West Warwicks

Sophie Fisher-Norton vLoughborough Students

After their first eight EHL Men’s Premier Division fixtureslast season on drawing 2-2 away with Hampstead &Westminster on November 11, Surbiton lay tenth andbottom with a record of: won 1; drawn 3, lost 4; goals for21; goals against 24. This season after their first eightfixtures in the newly-sponsored NOW: Pensions EHLMen’s Premier Division on November 10 after beatingCannock 4-1 at home they lie fourth with a record of: won4; drawn 2; lost 2; goals for 23; goals against 14. What ismore this improvement has been achieved despite somesevere self-inflicted statistical shortcomings. To start witha card count of 13 greens and 9 yellows (a grand total ofjust over a whole game – 71 mins – playing a man short:although full time and the coincidence of their and someof their opponent’s 10 green and 6 yellows made itsomewhat less than that). Next comes a penalty cornerconversion rate of only 19.05% (8 from 42); although onthe positive side their opponents’ has been kept down to26.67% (4 from 15) by the meanest defence in theleague, just 14 against despite conceding five toCanterbury. But perhaps most notably of all is thatSurbiton conceded the opening goal in six of their eightfixtures and still went on to win two (5-1 at home toHampstead & Westminster on September 14 and 3-1away to Sheffield Hallam on September 22); draw two(2-2 at home to Wimbledon on September 28 and 1-1 athome to Reading on November 2); and only lose two (2-3away to Beeston on October 6 and 1-5 away toCanterbury on October 26). Of the two games in whichthey opened the scoring, Surbiton capitalised to beatLoughborough Students 5-0 away on October 20 andCannock 4-1 at home on November 10. Last seasonSurbiton went on to be unbeaten for the rest of theseason with a record of: played 10; won 8; drawn 2;goals for 33; goals against 15 to finish second in

England’s elite ten-team league. That’s going to take alot of matching – but Surbiton are aiming at the very leastfor a top four finish and with it the chance to qualify fornext season’s Euro Hockey League.

M1 ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL HOPEFULS OF THEFUTURETwo of Surbiton Men’s 1st XI – James Royce and BenTibble – played for England A against team mates – thebrothers Gall, James and Jonathan – for England U21on Friday November 8 in a “Performance Event” practicegame at the National Sporting Centre Bisham Abbey. Ittook place on an extremely wet and chilly morning andconsisted of three 25-minute periods with a quarter of anhour penalty-corner practice in the two intervals. For therecord – although, as for all Performance Event fixtures,no official record was kept – England A “won” 2-0.

Sean Cotter reports as M1s battle at the topend of the table

Matt Daly back in the thick of the action aftera season on the sidelines

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Fabulous four (left to right): James Royce, Jamesand Jonathan Gall and Ben Tibble after the fixturePicture: Seán Cotter

These are exciting times for Chris Grassick, as a regularfeature of a successful Surbiton side competing inEurope, a place in the elite ‘Road to Rio’ squad and aCommonwealth Games in his native Scotland to lookforward to.Chris was born in Edinburgh and brought up in a smalltown on the edge of Edinburgh called Balerno.Both his parents played hockey for Scotland, eachgaining over 50 caps playing indoors and outdoors. Hismum also was capped for Great Britain. However, itwasn’t in hockey that he originally hoped for sportingsuccess. ‘Growing up I always wanted to be a footballer.My main focus until I was 13 years old was on trying tobecome a famous footballer. At this age I decided that itwas not for me as I wasn’t good enough and I began toplay more hockey. I had played hockey when I was muchyounger, but it wasn’t very regular as football wouldalways be the priority.’At 14 Chris moved school from Balerno High School,where his Mum is currently a PE teacher, to GeorgeWatsons College. Here he was able to play more regularschool hockey and was coached by Mike Leonard theScotland captain at the time. This was also the age whenhe started to play adult hockey for the Inverleith 1st team,the only ever side he represented before moving toSurbtion.First selected for the u16 Scotland team when he was 14he played in matches against Belgium, France andEngland. He then played for the Scottish u18 squad in

the u18 European A division in Edinburgh, before movingto the u21 squad playing in the u21 European A divisionin San Sebastien. ‘At this point the u21s were coachedby Brett Garrard and Karl Stagno. This was a greatexperience for me and probably a big turning point in myhockey career. If I had not been coached by them at thispoint then I probably would never have moved toSurbiton.’Chris attended Edinburgh Napier University straight afterleaving school in September 2008 studying BusinessManagement, continuing to play for Inverleith, who hehad played for since the age of twelve. ‘I studied full-timefor two years before moving to London in 2010. When Imoved to Surbiton I continued on the same course but ona part-time distance-learning basis. I ended up doing mythird year of study over three years and I graduated thissummer. Basically I stretched a three year course overfive years to allow me to move south and try to improvemy hockey.’By the time Chris arrived at Surbiton he was already anestablished international gaining his first caps forScotland when he had just turned 17, playing two testmatches in Belfast against Ireland.‘When I first heard that I had been selected I was mainlysurprised. I had been training with the squad for a fewmonths but never expected to be given the chance toplay so quickly. At the same time I was really happy andlooking forward to it. The main thing I remember from thematch was it being really fast and not having much timeon the ball. I probably ran around more than anythingelse.’Chris still cites gaining his first cap as the highlight of hisScotland career. ‘Playing in my first Europeans was thenext biggest highlight. This was in Wrexham, Wales, andat the time our coach was John Royce. I really enjoyedJohn as our coach and felt he helped me and the team agreat deal.’Missing out on the Commonwealth Games in 2010through injury was a really big low for me. However Ithink it has made me work harder and train harder sothere must have been some positives to it.’Compensation that year came in the move to Surbiton,which has worked out so well for both player and club.‘Brett and Karl were my Scotland u21 coaches for thesummer of 2008. They asked if I wanted to move and joinSurbiton. At that point I was about to start university andthe time wasn’t right but I stayed in touch and thenmoved down two years later. I’m really grateful that theyoffered me the chance to come and so glad that I did.Moving here in itself was a big highlight as it allowed meto train with players that are at a higher level and alsoplay in a strong league. Also training at the time withguys who were in the GB squad enabled me to see howmuch I had to improve to get to where they were.’In a team context at Surbiton the biggest highlights forChris have been getting to the Championship play-offfinal last season and qualifying for the EuroHockeyLeague. ‘It was such a great feeling to qualify for Europeas it meant so much to the team and the club. Then alsorepresenting Surbiton in Barcelona was awesome andsomething I am really keen to do again in the next round.

Chris firing on all fronts

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It was great to get the convincing win in the first gameand I think we showed some of the fast and aggressivehockey that we are capable of playing. The game againstPolo club was an important learning process for us asnow we know what we have to work on, so that the nexttime we play a team of that standard we will win. I wouldlike to say thank you to all of the travelling support thatcame to Barcelona. It was brilliant to see so many themsupporting us and we really appreciated it.’Chris is one of two Scots in the elite 30 man Great Britain“Road to Rio” centralised squad, who are trainingtogether at Bisham Abbey with next Olympic Games intheir sights. ‘Growing up playing hockey my main goalhas always been to get into the Great Britain team. Beingselected for the training squad was amazing. I wasabsolutely delighted and couldn’t really believe it at thetime. Training has been really hard but very enjoyable. Ithink training with these guys every day will help meimprove quickly and get to where I want to be. Workingtogether every day will also help us as a team to have

the best chance of being successful. ’In a demandingschedule Chris and the elite squad train every day fromMonday to Friday. Training involves two weightssessions and five hockey sessions each week varying inintensity with some extra running as well. ‘The trainingcan be pretty hard but I have really enjoyed everything sofar. I can’t really complain about playing hockey for aliving. Rio is obviously my main goal but I am just tryingto get better as a player every day and take each weekand month as they come and try to work as hard as I canto get there. I have an amazing opportunity by being inthe squad and it is now down to me to work hard to get toRio.’‘At the moment I do roughly 7-8 hours coaching a weekat the hockey club and elsewhere to get some extramoney, but normally I am either training or sleeping.There are some weeks where we get a rest from hockeyand a bit of time off. During these weeks I will be lookingto do some work experience that will hopefully help meget a job in the real world when I am finished playing.’

Take up hockey at Surbiton

Back to Hockey has returned to Sugden Road onWednesday mornings from 10.30 to 11.30am.The sessions will be led by Ali Hitch, personalfitness trainer and hockey coach. All standardswelcome from beginners to improvers. The cost willbe £3 per session - please pay Ali at the start ofeach session.Ladies, if you haven’t played hockey before, or youplayed twenty years ago and want to give it another go,or if your children play and you want to learn what theylearn, then why not come down to Surbiton HockeyClub? Back to Hockey is a great way for women toexercise as part of a team with a focus on fun, fitnessand friendship.You will be playing on the club’s water-based, state-of-the-art hockey pitch where you can learn the basic skillsof hockey, understand the rules as you play and

socialise with other members. You will coached byexperienced members from Surbiton Hockey Club whowill teach you the techniques and tactics used in themodern game in a friendly and relaxed environment.There are opportunities to continue to play, whateveryour fitness or ability, whether for fun or as part of acompetitive team.If you are free on a Wednesday morning and want tomeet new people, have a run around and learn thesport while having fun then we hope to see you there.For further details contact Ali Hitch at:hitchy.ali@gmail.com

Hockey for men and womenHockey is a fast, skilful sport that is exciting and rewarding to play. Surbiton Hockey Club offers the highest qualityof coaching and fields teams to suit players of all ages and abilities. There is simply nowhere better to learn andplay the game.If interested please visit our website: www.surbitonhc.comWomen and girls should contact Eleanor Marshall, Chair of the Ladies’ Section: eleanor.marshall2@btinternet.comand men and boys Mike Gilroy-Scott, Chair of the Men’s Section: mselect@surbitonhc.com

Should spectating be more your interest you will be made equally as welcome and your support the teams greatlyappreciated.

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Diary of a #SHCBarca13 SupporterFor the most part of the first day I spent my timecounting down the hours and looking at the clockbut as soon as 5.30pm hit, the excitement beganand I rushed out of work to catch the train. After asurprisingly uncomplicated journey at rush hour, Ifinally arrived at Gatwick.I feel it is necessary to mention that as I was flyingEasyJet I opted to travel with hand baggage only. Insaid hand luggage, I had packed our portable wallof support, two keen supporters sweatshirts, as wellas my own luggage and supports kit for theweekend. Having read this you may now all bethinking 'aahh that explains why she was wearingshorts in the pouring rain' however; you would beincorrect in that assumption. This fairly drasticfashion faux pas was actually the fault of my trustybrother's girlfriend Anna. For those of you who arenot aware, Anna is from Barcelona and enjoystelling Fergus and me how fantastic the weather isin her home city and that it never ever rains. So ofcourse when making my outfit choices for theweekend, rain did not cross my mind.Anyway, I'm veering drastically off course. Uponarriving at Gatwick, I met fellow supporters, newlynamed 'Big Man' aka Mark Selby, Jess Green,

Fergus Dunn and eventually and not surprisinglylate, Club Captain Rob Dunn who happens to be myfather and for anyone who doesn't know him, isnotorious for being late. Having gone our separateways, Jess and Fergus on one flight and Big Man,Rob and myself on another we bumped into astraggler. Men's 1s player Rob Moore had alsobeen working that day and was heading out on ourflight to meet the rest of the team ready for the bigfirst game the following morning.I'll spare you the boring details of the flight,highlighting only that Rob and I started as weintended to go on and decided a small Gin tastingwas in order to decide whether we preferredGordon's or Bombay Gin. the former was theresounding winner.Upon arrival in Barcelona, Jess and I were escortedto our hostel where, in the bar next door, which wasaptly named 'Oceana', Simon Fitch aka Fitchy andBecky Roberts were awaiting our arrival. The firstnight was relatively tame; we took a brief trip to arestaurant serving what can only be described as'The Worst Tapas in Spain' we then intended to goto the bar next door however when asked if the barwas any good, the bouncer was rather too honestand told us we'd be better going to the bar opposite,

Nina Dunn gives a supporters viewof Barcelona

Fans attending the match versus Polo de BarcelonaPhoto courtesy of Nina Dunn

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so we did! After one more drink and quick dance wecalled it a night. It was 2am after all and we had tobe at the hockey pitch for 9am.The first night sleep in the hostel was disrupted tosay the least and Jess and I were up again beforewe knew it and en route to the hockey. Feelingslightly fragile, we headed to the metro where wesuccessfully boarded the right train and arrived atour destination with half an hour to spare. Fergushad assured us that the hockey pitch was only ashort walk from the metro station so off we went.After half an hour we were beginning to regret thedecision to walk. It was 9am and we could hear thewhistle of the hockey starting but could not see it orwork out how to get in.We eventually made it in, missing only the first fewminutes. I feel I don't need to say a lot about theHockey itself as hopefully you were all screaming atyour screens in the UK. The boys put in a fantasticperformance and did us all proud with outstandinglygood goals from both Forsyth and Watt. Thesupporters too made exceptional performancesmost of which came frommy family. Firstly therewas Fergus with hissprinting, scarf swingingcelebration after theForsyth goal. Then therewas my dad who not onlywore an excruciatinglyembarrassing ginger scotshat to which thecommentator questionedwhether that was indeedhis real hair, but he alsogot caught live on TVdrinking from the wronghand!After the game we stuckaround to support theBeeston boys for a whilebefore heading out of therain and into a bar. The

rest of Friday consisted mostly of a tour aroundBarcelona sampling various food and drink. Thehighlight being Boscos (yes that's right, not only didwe find Oceana but we also found a Boscos inBarcelona) where we enjoyed some truly delicioustapas.On Saturday morning, Todd kindly gave the boysthe morning off. So being the hockey WAG I am,that meant quality time with the better (at hockeyonly) half. Saturday afternoon and the boys headedoff to training, the Sun decided to bless us with itspresence and with that came the fair weathersupports. There are too many to mention but themost impactful to my diary was the infamous MollyHA!With the weather being so glorious, we headed toMr and Mrs Fitch's rooftop bar (oh yes, Mrs Fitchshowed up too) where we enjoyed a few bottles ofwine and some much need vitamin D. After headingto Bosco for a 'leggy' white wine we headed to theharbour to meet some of the other supporters fordinner. The rest of the evening is a bit of a blur but Ibelieve it consisted of lots more dancing in bars(and on them) and being told by my dear friendJessica that I should quote 'Be more fun'.Sunday, the sun was still shining and the shortswere out again which could only mean one thing,GAME DAY! We headed back to the pitch, this timeopting for a taxi instead of the agonizingly longwalk. For those who watched the game, you willknow that unfortunately the result was not what wehad hoped but the boys achieved what they wentfor and got us into the next round. As the rest of mystory consists of 4 hours waiting in an airport for aflight home, I think now is a good time to end thisinsightful diary. Until next time, see you at EHLround 2!

Spectators view as Surbiton take on Polo

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James Tindall inaction versus SVArminen

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Richard, next to his daughter Charlotte, Wendy and Emma, Christopher’s daughter

Christopher Michael

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Nobody has played a more pivotal role in thedevelopment of Surbiton Hockey Club in to the thrivingorganisation it is now than Michael and Wendy Beaney.A club with over 1000 members, the majority of whomare colts, 20 adult teams, two of who are at the pinnacleof the game in England, wouldn’t exist in that formwithout the dedication, hard work and imagination ofsuch stalwarts as Michael and Wendy.Without doubt their, and the clubs, two most importantachievements were to start a colts section and introduceladies hockey to the club. Like many profound changesthere was an element of chance in its origins. Thecouple’s sons Chris and Richard were attending a schoolthat had inadequate provision for sport. As hockeyenthusiasts they decided to start a colts section atSurbiton, where Michael was already playing, to givethem the exercise and sport that they were deniedelsewhere. That was in 1978 when they started with ahandful of young players, which had increased to 150 bythe time they finished organising the colts in 1993.One of the important developments was for competitivehockey for the colts, of which Michael was inevitablyinvolved. ‘I took part in a committee prompted bySunbury HC, who ran colts then, and they wereinstrumental in getting a league going, that is now knownas the Mercian League. We played at Maidenhead,Teddington and Guildford, but there was not as muchtravelling as now.’The boy colts could join the Surbiton Mens teams as theygot older, but the girls had nowhere to go, as SurbitonLadies did not exist. With Michael as backing, Wendygot the Ladies side going by starting with a Sunday teamin 1983 to 87. In 1988 the Ladies section of Surbiton HCwas formed when they joined the Surrey leagues playingon a Saturday. There were two teams, a mixture of theolder colts and people like Wendy, who left ByfleetRamblers having played for them for 18 years, and MarieCurry, who left NPL after many years and who had beenhelping coaching the colts. Several players fromRamblers came over to Surbiton - one of whom Jo Firthstarted in the 1st Xl and is still playing in the 3rd Xl. Thedevelopment was not initiated without some resistance.The Surbiton Ladies senior club was frowned upon byvarious elderly gentlemen, but since then they have allstood up and said 'it's the best thing that could havehappened to the club'.In those days facilities for the ladies was far inferior tothose provided for the men. Wendy recalls that theSurbiton changing rooms were an old shed attached tothe old pavilion. ‘It didn’t have any running water oranything but I think we were allowed to go in to the men’sfacilities occasionally.’ Socially there were differencestoo. ‘Social wise men were always supporting the barafter games, ladies very much less so. In fact, generallyit was pay, play, have your tea and go home. I can’tremember any clubs in the early days when I was playingfor Byfleet Ramblers where you stayed for a drink.’Michael had first played at Surbiton as a schoolboy atKingston Grammar but didn’t join the club proper until1958 at the age of twenty one. ‘I thought if I’m going to

Life with the Beaneysplay hockey I can’t play for Kingston Old Boys becausethey are far too good for me, I’ll go to Surbiton. So that’show I got started’. It was a much different club to the onenow that Michael joined, with three grass pitches and anextra pitch, first at Esher College and then at EsherCricket Club. The clubhouse was a very old cricketpavilion, that was much smaller than the presentfacilities, though, importantly, it did have a bar.There were just five men’s teams and more significantlyno ladies section. As Michael explained, ‘There were noladies at all except those looking after the teas for us.We had a fine team of tea ladies who prepared all thesandwiches and cakes and put them out for us.’Wendy began playing at school as a twelve year oldplaying Saturday morning school matches and for EsherSaxon ladies with her mother and twin sister in SandownPark in the afternoons. That was sixty years ago andshe is still playing now. The highest level she reachedwas the Surrey 2nd eleven. However, two of her mostnotable achievements came much more recently. Thissummer she won a gold medal playing for the South ofEngland over 55s in an inter regional tournament,beating the North, West, East and Midlands and in midOctober she played for Surbiton 9s, meaning that shehas now played and umpired for every single ladies teamat the club. Wendy, at 72 the oldest player in thetournament, had some concerns before playing for theSouth as it coincided with the record breaking hotsummer. ‘It was terribly hot at that time, but it wasn’t toohot up at Cannock. I decided I would play 20 minuteshalves, so I played four twenty minute games. So it wasfine, I survived.’Not surprisingly Wendy and Michael, who will celebratetheir 50th wedding anniversary in February, met throughhockey, when playing mixed hockey for Esher Saxons.Michael had already been attracted to Wendy, when oneday the team went back to the clubhouse to play tabletennis when a match was postponed. ‘He said ‘We’regoing on to eat somewhere, does anyone want a lift?’and I knew he had an MG, so I said ‘yeah’ and got infirst’, explained Wendy.Michael looks back fondly. ‘In those days we playedhockey on Saturday’s for either men or ladies, but onSundays everyone played mixed. We played for a verygood side that lost very few matches and had awonderful time.’ Unfortunately mixed hockey has all butdisappeared, which Wendy attributes the amount ofhigher level hockey now played and people wanting to dosomething else on a Sunday.Michael did play for the first team a few times andcaptained the second team for one year. ‘I started in the5th XI, the bottom team, because we only had five teamsin those days, then I gradually got better and thengradually got worse!’. Later on he carried on playing forthe Magnets for many years, before medical reasonsmeant him calling it a day and concentrating on umpiring,something both of them do regularly. ‘Because weplayed mixed hockey we all had to do some umpiring, sowe knew quite a bit about it and had experience.’

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As with Wendy, Michael’s greatest on fieldachievements came as a veteran playing for LXs andEngland winning gold medals at over 60s, over 65s andover 70s, as he toured the world playing in Argentina,Brazil, Australia, South Africa in the World Cup, onnumerous occasions in Holland, and in Italy, whichprovided some interesting umpiring. Wendy pointed outthat she played for the men’s B team in South Africa, aswell as umpiring for the LXs in many internationaltournaments.Their sons Chris and Richard were introduced tohockey at a very early age as Michael explained, ‘weused to dump them in the pram atthe side of the hockey pitch, go offto play and collect them later.’ Itgoes without saying that they havehockey in their blood as they havecontinued to play, umpire and coachthe colts. Their enthusiasm forhockey and Surbiton has not wanedand is such that they haveintroduced four daughters to thegame and the club. As Wendy put itwhen proudly reflecting on hergrand-daughters, ‘It’s lucky that theylike hockey or I think we would havedeserted them!’. And the nextgeneration is already making a markat Surbiton. As teammates ofWendy granddaughters Emma &Charlotte, both 17, played in theLadies 7s who won promotion to Div8 last season. Anothergranddaughter, 14 year old Sophie,played with her in summer hockey,again with Emma and Charlotte asteammates, and hopes she will infuture get to play alongside 13 year

old Megan, who is currently out injured.If you thought that must be about all two people couldcontribute to the club you would be wrong as in a lessthan exhaustive list they have served on the committee,coached the ladies first team for a couple of years in theearly 1990s and founded the Surbiton mixed team.Wendy has been ladies fixture secretary, assistant clubsecretary and membership secretary, vice –presidentand in 2005 she became Life vice-president. Michael isnow a 'Past President' having been President from 1995to 1998.Interview Mark Rye/Tim Reder

Directions to Sugden RoadSugden Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0AE

By Car:From A3 southboundLeave the A3 just after Hook exit (signposted ‘Esher’). At the first roundabout turn right at the ‘T’ junction, then turnright into Sugden Road. The ground entrance is on the right in 1/4 mile, opposite Scott Farm Close.From A3 northboundLeave the A3 at Esher/Leatherhead exit and follow the signs to Esher/Sandown Park. From the one-way system inEsher, follow signs towards Kingston and drive past Sandown Park (1 mile from Esher). At the Scilly Islesroundabout bear right joining the dual carriageway towards the A3 & London. At the first set of lights, turn left intoManor Road North. After 1/2 mile this becomes Sugden Road. The ground entrance is on the right opposite ScottFarm Close

By Public Transport:The K3 bus route runs between Roehampton Vale Asda and Trinity School, Esher. Alight at the Rectory Lane stopin Sugden Road. From Surbiton and Kingston take the bus in the Esher direction and from Esher in theRoehampton Vale direction. Buses are every 15 minutes on Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays.

Walk from Surbiton Station:Turn left out of the station in to Victoria Road and continue in to Victoria Avenue. Enter Victoria Recreation Groundand follow the perimeter path. Turn left out of the gate and turn right under the railway arch in to Fleece Road.Continue beyond the shops to the mini roundabout past which you will be in Sugden Road. The ground is 200m onthe left. Walk takes 20-25 minutes.

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Forthcoming Fixturesat Sugden Road 2013-14

Don’t miss any of the action as our men’s and ladies’ first teamsaim to become the best in the country

against the best in the country

Note that fixtures are subject to change - please consult the club website forupdates of these and additional cup matches

2013

NOVEMBER

Saturday 30th 2.00pm

DECEMBER

Sunday 1st 2.00pm

2014

FEBRUARY

Saturday 15th 2.00pm

Sunday 16th 2.00pm

MARCH

Sunday 2nd 2.00pm

Saturday 8th 2.00pm

Sunday 9th 2.00pm

Saturday 22nd 2.00pm

Sunday 23rd 2.00pm

Ladies v Sutton Coldfield

Men v Sheffield Hallam

Ladies v Leicester

Men v Beeston

Men v Loughborough Students

Ladies v Canterbury

Men v Canterbury

Ladies v Beeston

Men v East Grinstead

Attending a match? Don’t forget to buy your match day programme for theteam line-ups and all the latest information