Chairman's Welcome Message for 2011

Hi.

Although the position of Chairman can be demanding, it also has the capacity to be very rewarding. This is especially true when one considers the hard graft, experience, talent and plans put into practice and then, hopefully bearing fruit throughout the season. At SUBHC, we have a fantastic Executive Committee (EC) and on behalf of them I should like to wish ALL our current players, supporters and friends a very warm welcome to what is going to be a most exciting season.

Every new hockey season brings with it a sense of anticipation but this one will be different because, having secured our future, the Club can once again be AMBITIOUS and INVEST wisely. That means player recruitment and a focussed and more effective playing, training and coaching strategy, which this time will bring us the promotions we lost out on recently, especially back to the National League.

As with any organisation, new recruits are the proverbial shot in the arm, and this feeling of anticipation is very much to do with how many new players are going to feature in the Club. Early indications are very promising, so I now also extend a special welcome to all our new members. You will not regret joining SUBHC - the friendly Club.

I know I am biased but Sheffield is a fine City, so much so many of our former students have settled here having carved out successful careers. Many players have continued playing for the Club, which in itself is a telling testimony of what is on offer both this season and in the future.

Sheffield Bankers HC was formed sometime in 1925, with just the one side, along with football, rugby, cricket and bowls sections, courtesy of all the major banks (perhaps they were kinder then), who wished to provide their staff with R&R, and Abbeydale Park was the chosen site. Of course, grass pitches were the only option and from time to time, in the Clubhouse, some of the senior denizens have been heard to mutter "..if you could stop a ball on grass then this Astro stuff should be a doddle..". Regrettably, the jury's still out.

Since then, all these teams have moved away from Abbeydale and have possibly disappeared, with the exception of ourselves. The merger with Sheffield University some 11 years ago has been mutually beneficial and has made the Club an effective force in hockey terms, bringing with it great success. We now have 8 Men's, 2 Ladies and 1 Vet's side and a small but talented Junior section. History demonstrates there have been some trying times but as mentioned earlier these are well behind us and the future is distinctly bright.

The Club just oozes optimism, and the Head Coach and his dedicated and experienced team, along with the Club Captain and the rest of us, cannot wait for the season to start.

Here are some of the reasons why:

• Relationship with the UNI is the best it has ever been
  Best UNI players play for our top teams
  Big UNI player influence across all sides
  Best under-21 Aussie joins in September
  3 quality players already signed up
  Men's and Ladies shirt sponsor on board
  The relaid Astro will be ready soon
  Excellent coaching and training programmes now in place
  Cracking new Clubhouse with great free teas on match days
  Fun socials planned
  

...and lots more....

Well there you have it - money, time, a lot of hard work and thought have gone into these plans and programmes, most of which our existing members asked for. As we pointed out at the last AGM however, all this will be for nothing if you, the whole SUBHC team, old and new members alike, do not play your full part. That means both on the pitch, week in week out, and then later, in other supportive ways.

I want ALL of you to have fun and enjoyment and to stay fit and healthy and to make this YOUR Gold Medal season.

Yours in Friendship
Bob Hindle, Chairman

PS. If anybody (especially newcomers) is keen to help out on the Committee, get in touch with me on 07765 228364.