Saffron Walden Hockey Club NEWS
Mens 4th XI gain promotion as champions Ladies 4th XI gain promotion in 2nd place Ladies 5th XI gain promotion as champions Annual Dinner @ Saffron Hotel - April 24th 2010 please fill in your form and return with a cheque to Chris Hollidge Check the forum for cancellation of matches due to weather conditions.
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Sports skill of the week click here to view
Congratulations to Keiran Greig, Jack Richardson and Alfie Smith who have just passed their Coach Level 1 Award
Andy Mackintosh has completed the Coach Level 2 course
All Ladies Teams have gained promotion in Season 08/09, the 1st, 2nd & 3rds in second place, 4th & 5ths as Champions
New hockey rules: 7 Mar: Hockey rule changes to “decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play” will apply in all domestic hockey in England from 1st September 2009.  A self-pass from a free hit has been introduced. This enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit. In addition, to stop the ball from being played dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 M area, these free hits can no longer be played directly into the circle.
	Glenn Kirkham continues as training coach for both mens and ladies teams.
PROFILE  Kirkham has picked up over 100 international caps for England & Great Britain since making his international debut in 2003 against Belgium.  Grimsby born Glenn was a member of the GB team that qualified for the Olympics by overcoming India in Santiago in March.  Kirkham scored twice during the 8–0 group victory over Russia.  Having studied at Loughborough University, the 26-year-old works as a sports coach and plays for East Grinstead.
Alliance Sports visited the Astro with their mobile shop, if you missed them please check out their website www.alliancesports.co.uk  If you visit their shop near Braintree quote Saffron Walden Hockey Club to receive 5% discount for yourself and 5% for the club. Juniors please show your wristbands that Alliance Sports handed out to receive your discount.
We also have a Loyalty Scheme set up with Gilmour Sports – please quote CLBS 402 in the ‘coupon box’ if you purchase from their website www.gilmoursports.com
Laura continues to excel playing for Wales
Laura Sugar in her debut match for Wales - a regular Ladies 1st XI player - see report below
WALES U17 GIRLS vs ENGLAND U18 GIRLS UK School Games - UWE Bristol, 29th August 2008 Score: Wales 0 - England 8 (HT 0-2) Wales U17 Development Squad were given a clear idea why England U18, who included two of their bronze medal winning players from last month's European U21 championships in Valencia, are also the 2007 U18 European Champions and a number of those gold medallists were also included in their squad. Wales, with their eye on the July 2009 U18 European Championships in Madrid, included 6 of this year's U16 squad and overall had 6 players making their U18 international debut. A half-time score of 0-2 from two penalty corner conversions in the 12 and 35 minutes (the second being in overtime) gave Wales considerable cause for optimism. The defending had been disciplined for the majority of the half and a number of counter-attacking possibilities had been created. England, chastised no doubt for their first half performance, stepped up more than one gear at the start of the second half and proceeded to score 6 goals in the 15 minutes immediately after the break to take their tally to 8, as Wales began to find that their opponents' superior fitness, technique and experience beginning to tell. However for the last 20 minutes Wales regained a considerable proportion of their composure and no further score ensued. Wales won a penalty stroke on 65 minutes when Xenna Hughes was floored by the keeper after a strong 40 metre run had eliminated two England defenders. Alas, the England keeper made an excellent diving save to prevent Wales getting the goal that they had deserved for the improvement they had made during the game. Roseanne Thomas in goal made many excellent saves to keep the marauding England strikers at bay and when Fiona Jamision replaced her during the second half, she did well to keep a clean sheet. Laura Sugar, in her first appearance for Wales, had an excellent debut with some fine tackles and clearances and was ably supported by Sophie Clough, Lauren Hutchings & Lucy Thayer in a hard-pressed back 4. www.welsh-hockey.co.uk