Alderley Edge Hockey Club have become the only club in the region and one of only 20 nationwide to be awarded the 'Talent Centre' Accreditation by England Hockey.
Talent Centre accreditation recognises the quality of a club's provision of a system and environment that provides for high quality talent development.
This has been demonstrated with many players from the Boys and Girls section being selected for the Performance Centre squads playing in numerous tournaments over the summer. This is also used as a selection process for the England teams, with a member of the Ladies 1st team making it through to the next stage. In recent games 5 of last years U16 squad made their Men's first team debut.
It is not just the youngsters with reason to celebrate as it has been a golden summer for Alderley Edge's Masters players.
In the recent World Cup played in Nottingham, Rebecca Ward and Sarah Hopkin both collected gold medals - beating the likes of Ireland, India, Argentina and France on the way. This followed on from their Four Nations win earlier in the summer.
Nigel Baker-Brian made his international debut at the age of 65, winning the Four Nations and an International tournament in Neuss, Germany.
England Masters regulars James Riley and Mark D'Souza also tasted success in their respective Four Nations competitions. The Men's Masters World Cups are to be held later in the year in Cape Town and Tokyo.
At a regional Level, the North West Men's 35s won the Divisional tournament featuring Andrew Wood, Kieren Hall, Simeon Mellor and Stefan Ray-Hills. Sacha Hateley also picked up a winners medal.
Further representative honours were received by Judith Offer, Heather Wienholt, Michelle Fletcher, Phil Benton, Neil Hanley, Ed Johnson, Joe Smart, Paul Buckingham and Nick Rudgard.
