The Club's Executive Committee have ideas but to ensure that these meet the needs of all the members. At the recent AGM, incoming Chairman, Steve Hipwell spoke of the major projects he sees as being the priorities in the first instance. For example he spoke about the appointment of a HDO, the relaying of a new pitch, developing the working relationship with Abbeydale Sports Club, creating a diverse club and implementing the England Hockey Talent/Academy Centre's for junior players.

But what else can be done to make SHC the best it can be? What can you offer in time or expertise to make this happen? What can we do now to leave a legacy for future generations of members?

Well here are the notes from the members forum:

Sheffield Hockey Club
Members’ Forum 10/6/21

Mark Cuff opened the meeting with some general comments about the health of the club:
Encouraging to see representation at all levels (EHL, North, Yorkshire, Development to Junior leagues).
Good to be able to watch men’s first team in National League.
Would be desirable to have a clear section policy, maybe better have larger settle squads.

Engagement of Juniors:
Jerry Ferreira suggested that junior members could be more involved by taking on roles in the club or recognised by being appointed Girls /Boys Club captain. It was suggested that this would allow them to become more ‘rounded’ club members. Perhaps trophies to be awarded to juniors at the club’s awards evening. That senior members should be encouraged to attend. Maybe invite some of our former players, now international stars, to make the presentations.

There should also be a clear pathway for junior players to progress from junior hockey to playing senior club hockey.

Junior Pathway into Senior Hockey.
Matt Godden highlighted the fact that junior players of a similar level of ability and potential were playing in different men’s sides and therefore at different levels. This was confusing to the individuals involved.

Matt also expressed some concern that the current cohort of young players playing across the Women’s first and second teams would most likely move on to university in the next year or so. There are plenty of talented youngsters in the younger ages and these will need bringing through. There are concerns about the pitch time these players get and with players moving between w3/4/5 sessions. There also needs to be work done on a women’s selection policy to ensure that these young players are playing at the right standard which will aid their development as potential performance squad players. With only five women’s teams it was difficult to see where a women’s version of the Badgers (the Vixens) would fit in.

There are already Mixed Development Squads which run on a Saturday which are introducing a number of youngsters to the notion of Saturday hockey. However, on the men’s side it was felt that the reintroduction of the Badgers side (pitched at 4th/5th team level) would aid development. Players of suitable potential/ability could then progress into the performance sides. Adults joining the club/progressing upwards would move from M3 into the performance sides.

Darren Carter pointed out that adult members of the club are also entitled to a decent level of hockey. There was plenty of other opportunities for juniors to play and make progress whilst adults relied on the Saturday club offering. Essentially the club must ensure a balanced and mix selection policy for inclusion of both aspiring junior and adult players.

It was suggested that the Club’s Executive Committee establish a strategy group that would look at defining a selection policy for the club or for the different sections of the club. This would make the selection policy clear and would hopefully ensure the vast majority of club members engage with the policy. It was suggested that the HDO (once appointed), the club captains, the respective performance coaches and the team captains form such a strategy group.

Pitch and facilities
There was concern about the quality of the resources available to the club in terms of pitches and changing rooms. There was a suggestion that the club’s Executive Committee need to look at the long-term plans for the club which should include a second pitch. This may necessitate a move away from Abbeydale.

Currently the groups for juniors are too big for the pitch space available.
The performance sides should ideally have a whole pitch twice a week to train on.

At present these problems can’t be solved at Abbeydale.

As the club pays £50k a year to Abbeydale, could this be used to pay off a loan to build a purpose-built facility?

Fundraising
It was reported that a local three team cricket club had recently raised £16k. A club of our size should be able to raise much more than that.

Alastair Stewart reported that fundraising was on his radar. The juniors had already raised additional funds from their summer activities and needed ideas of what to spend it on.

Mark Cuff gave details of the Unity lottery, suggested supermarket packing, each team to take responsibility for a social/fundraiser. Alastair suggested a second hand kit store. A Summer dinner social was suggested but there were concerns as to whether in the current circumstances we could confidently plan such an event. Mark Beavis reminded the group that we also had the celebration of 101 years of hockey at Abbeydale and the formation of the women’s club to celebrate.

There was a question as to whether obtaining charitable status would be beneficial to the club.

Actions:
The Club’s Executive Committee will consider the views of the members and decide if the following are appropriate:
The Executive Committee to determine the priorities for the club performance/participation
The formation of strategy group to consider the club’s selection policy to meet the priorities of the club and to achieve a balance between adults and juniors.
The formation of a strategy group to consider the club’s long term future regarding pitch facilities.
The establishment of a Fundraising Committee.