What a week in the history of Alderley Edge Hockey Club. Firstly, the clubs new artificial grass pitch construction has started at the Ryleys playing field and now the club has won a prestigious national excellence award.
The England Hockey Board (EHB) Annual Awards 2011 were handed out on Saturday, July 16th, celebrating all that is great about the people that make hockey what it is.
Competition was fierce for the coveted Club of the Season award which was sponsored by Harvester and won by Alderley Edge Hockey Club!
The best of hockey in England was showcased and celebrated superbly on Saturday afternoon as 17 award winners and countless others were recognised for their contributions to hockey over the past season.
The EHB Annual Awards 2011 took place in VIP surroundings on the final day of The London Cup at the University of Westminster Sports Ground in Chiswick.
Alderley Hockey Club President Nick Rudgard received the prized award from EHB Development Director Holly Woodford and commented "England Hockey Board have recognised and valued the incredible commitment and expertise our Club gives to the sport and the community.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of hockey and its great that our playing members, coaches, managers ,officials and administrators that work so tirelessly to make Edge a huge success story have been recognised.”
Seven of the Club committee attended the Awards Ceremony lunch with England Ladies Hockey team Captain Kate Walsh one of the table hosts.
The Awards Review Panel commented that the clubs fundraising activity for the new pitch being built at the Ryleys Playing Field had really impressed them. The commitment to junior coaching and community participation initiatives like ‘Mums back to Hockey’ were also eye-catching vote winners.
On the pitch the Ladies 1st XI won the EHB Women’s Vase and were champions of Cheshire Division 1. The ladies 2nd XI won Division 4 and the Ladies 3rd and 4th XI’s were also promoted along with the Mens 2nd and 4th XI. The girls U12’s team were Cheshire and North champions and the Boy’s under 10 side were also Champions of Cheshire.
Alderley Edge Cricket Club works very hard to develop an increasing number of participation opportunities for cricket, hockey, tennis and squash and provides a fantastic thriving environment for people to enjoy sport. The new pitch is an example of the ongoing commitment. Development at the grass roots only happens because of the energy and time given by a fantastic team of volunteers.
As the club goes from strength to strength it welcomes new hockey players for the forthcoming season. There is hockey for all ages and abilities at the Edge, now the official EHB Club of the season 2011.
Email Club President Nick Rudgard, Hon. Club Secretary, Kelvin Briggs or call 07825 213205.
This is a member post by Kelvin Briggs.
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A lot of people have put in a huge amount of effort to develop Hockey in Alderley Edge. It is now a club to be really proud of. I am sure this will spark greater interest in AECC as a multi-sports club and social facilty within the local community.