Alderley Edge Hockey Club have been shortlisted for the prestigious England Hockey Board (EHB) 2011 ‘Club of the Year Award.’
The EHB awards celebrate the tireless work by club and hockey association volunteers around the country, recognise clubs and teams who have achieved great things, both on and off the pitch, and reward hockey internationals and their support staff for amazing feats during 2010.
A band of Alderley Edge Hockey Club (AEHC) members will be attending the Awards Luncheon on Saturday 16th July in Chiswick where they are hoping the ‘Edgehogs’ can clinch the coveted national award.
They will enjoy a three course meal before learning how they shaped up in the final analysis and watching the England national team play in the London Cup Hockey International series.
Just being short listed is a major achievement and recognises what an amazing year AEHC have had both on and off the field:
2010 -2011 Season Highlights: On the field:
- Men’s Ist X1, third in North Hockey League Div 1. Pipped for promotion.
- Men’s 2nd X1, Runners up North West League Div 3, promoted to North West League Division 2.
- Men’s 4th team, promoted to North West League Division 6.
- Ladies 1st X1, EHB National Vase Winners.
- Ladies 1st X1, Cheshire Women’s League Division 1 Champions, promoted to North Women’s Hockey feeder League Division 2 West.
- Ladies 2nd X1, Cheshire Women’s League Division 4 Champions, promoted to Division 3 having won every match.
- Ladies 3rd X1, Cheshire Women’s League Division 5 runners up and promoted to Division 4.
- Ladies 4th X1, Cheshire Women’s League Division 6, runners up, promoted to Division 5.
- Boys Under 18, EHB National Plate last 16.
- Girls Under 16, EHB National Cup last 16.
- Boys Under 16 EHB National Plate last 8.
- Boys Under 14 EHB Cheshire Club Competition, qualified for North Regional Finals.
- Girls Under 14 EHB Cheshire Club Competition, runners up, qualified for Regional finals.
- Girls Under 12 Minis, Cheshire Champions, North champions and finished 5th in National finals.
- Boys Under 10 Minis, Cheshire Champions, qualified for North Regional finals.
- Over 50 junior players attended East Cheshire and Greater Manchester Junior Development Centres and Junior Academy Centres with some going on to Junior Regional Performance Centre level representing the Pennine Pumas.
2010 -2011 Season Highlights:Off the field:
The Club Sign off was agreed for new artificial grass pitch to be built on the Ryleys playing field in July/Aug/Sept 2011.
This is being financed by way of generous and welcome donations including £62,500 from The National Hockey Foundation, £50,000 from The Alderley Edge Institute Trust and members own innovative fundraising and donations which have raised £100,000. The rest will come from bank funding.
AEHC ‘Clubsfirst’ accreditation was achieved in June 2010, the kitemark for running a safe and child friendly club.
They ran a 12 hour Hockeython at the first ever in the country ‘EHB Grow your own day and as part of the 2010 village fete.
They also organised a Junior Leadership Development Course at the club July 2010, with 30 young leaders attending, ran two junior hockey camps in February 2011 and held an Umpire Development Course at the Club in November 2010.
AEHC signed a Club school link agreement with Macclesfield School Sports partnership and ran a Junior hockey ‘Quicksticks’ festival for local primary Schools. They have also developed relationships with local state primary schools and started delivering hockey in some local schools.
Eight more level one coaches attended courses and qualified, part funded by Cheshire East Council, and four more level 2 coaches working towards qualification.
Club Mascot Eddie Edgehog was created with his own Facebook page, and funded by the generous sponsorship of BiG Storage, a valuable new supporter and sponsor for the hockey club. Eddie entered the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby racecourse, won best turned out in the paddock and the worlds most famous Mascot race, securing BBC TV and national press coverage.
Quite at year in the life of a Cheshire village Hockey Club. Hopefully another ‘champagne moment’ for AEHC and Eddie Edgehog in Chiswick!
Kind regards, Kelvin Briggs. Hon. Secretary. Alderley Edge Hockey Club.
