Newsletter June 2011

 The earth beneath us may not have beenso kind to us all in recent months but the skies above have certainly been shining down upon us.  May the fantastic weather continue.

Again this year we continue to grow as a club both in numbers and spirit. We have had record registrations with 32 teams and over 360 players hit the field under the banner of Marist.

This year we have instigated “Team of the Week” on the front page of the website.  Thisis an opportunity for your team to shine. If you would like to nominate your team for "Team ofthe Week"  just take some photos, write down a few words and forward them to Angela Balchin balchins@xtra.co.nz and then watch that space.

A warm welcome to our Development Officer, Cathy Baker.  This is a new position in the Club and as such Cathy is responsible for the overseeing of all Marist Team development and coaching. For those that aren’t aware, Cathy is well known in hockey circles as a Canterbury Player, Black Stick 1980-89, and a successful coach of numerous  Canterbury Hatch and Collier Teams, winning many national titles.

Cathy’s Say:

What a great start to the season.Marist Park is a magnificent facility and we are very fortunate.  I strongly encourage all teams to make the most of the practice time they are allocated.  You may have noticed this week at training players took part in 3 drills, hitting, receiving and tackling after which many played 15minute mini games.  This type of training is an essential part of skill development.

There are always teething problems when getting such a large amount of teams especially in our Junior ranks up andrunning. But we have got there so a big thank you to Angela Baker for her patience, diligence and many many hours of work.

In the short term it is my plan to gather all primary coaches to discuss coaching techniques and game strategies and listen to your ideas on how I can help our young players’ development.  So keep an eye on the website as a date shall be advised shortly. In the interim feel free to say hello at practice.

Our Division 2 Team have started the season well winning the first round of the competition. These young ladies playon Sunday mornings I encourage you all to come and watch them play. They are a force to be reckoned with.

Our Division 4 Team have had mixed results but as the season has progressed there has been great improvement with skills and game structure.

The youth grade are performing well with a big win last week. Keep up the good work girls.

Our Junior club teams are humming along with lots of great results in all grades. I have had some very busy Saturday mornings catching up with the coaches and players at their games and it is great to see so much enthusiasm from our young players.  I will endeavour to have watched all teams play by mid season, if not before. 

Senior Club Captain: (Sue Boyd)

Several Marist Senior Team Players have attended umpiring courses this year. They are now umpiring Super 8 and above games. So thanks to all of you for stepping up to the challenge and contributing to the running the of club.

Many of our junior team coaches are drawn from our senior teams.  Again this is a huge commitment as without this help the club would not function.  Parents thank you for your continued support to your coaches.

Junior Club Captain: (Angela Baker)

Great start to the season by all, team spirit is a vital element to success. A big thank you to all the coaches and managers for your ongoing support and for getting your teams to the turf ready to play.

If a player is needed to play for another team other than the team they are registered to play for the coaches and managers of both teams need to be consulted and agreement reached.  This is necessary to ensure all hockey competition rulings are complied with.

Housekeeping:

SausageSizzlers: Every Saturday at Marist Park we have a sausage sizzle.  So far this season the friends and families of the 11 AsideBoys Team have manned the barbeque. We now need some extra volunteers so if you can help, just for two hours, once during the season, please contact Mary Murdoch murdochm@xtra.co.nz

 Where to go and not to go: Warm-up options at Marist Park arelimited and it is also necessary to be mindful that Marian College classes do not finish until 5:30pm.  In addition being a boarding school excessive noise too near the hostel is not desirable.  DO NOT run through the school grounds.  Take the path heading east from the entrance to the hockey field that goes to Grimseys Road alongside the grass playing fields.

Uniforms: Please do not wear these to practice.  We would also ask that junior teams do not have oranges for players either at half time or end of the game as some of our tops are now showing permanent stains. We have  also been reminded by Canterbury Hockey that all players are to play in the registered club uniforms.  If you have any uniform issues please contact Lynda Harris

Marist Jackets: If  Teams wish to purchase Marist Jackets please contact Cara Sinclair or Phillipa Grey. They will happily give you all necessary information about distributors, logos, cost and sponsorship approval.

Player of  the Day Certificates: Are available for downloading from the website under News.

Trophies: Trophies need to be returned as soon as possible to Sharon Merrick – must be returned by or on club night please.

Events:

Holiday Programme: A successful holiday programme was hosted at Marist Park in April. This will be repeated on each Tuesday of the upcoming July holidays.   Hope to see you all there.

Canterbury Senior Representative Teams:

Congratulations to those that have recently been selected for Canterbury Senior Representative Teams this year: Josh Meates, Under 15 Boys B Team, Caitlyn Hughes Under 15 Girls B Team & Hannah Hill Under 18 Girls A Team.