News

Whitchurch 7's - "Winning the league title"

WHC 7s have won the league this year and to date remain unbeaten using a development squad of 4 to 5 seasoned old codgers and up to 7 to 8 aspiring youth typically in the age range 13 to 15 taken from U13 & U15 coaching squads.

One could argue that the seeds of this achievement were sown 7 to 8 years ago as many of the lads came from the Primary Schools of Llanishen Fach, Radyr, Thornhill and Rhiwbina.

Through various coaches they have made their way with very little drop out and then met the inspired leadership of Dave Hunt, an ex Cardiff 1st player and full FIH Umpire. Dave has built on the work of Neil Hodge who for 3 to 4 years managed the 6s that were also designed around the development squad principle.
 
In the 2014/15 season the 7s lost virtually every game but patterns of play, tactical knowledge and game management skills started to grow.

Pre match planning always occurs in the changing room always with feedback & ideas initially from the youth. Whiteboard work, tactical themes for the day and a healthy use of Man of the Match & Plonker of the Day helped to build team cohesion that results started to arrive from.

In the 2015/16 season Playing Committee aligned with Dave's vision of maintaining stability & continuity of the team from last year and the goals started flowing from the first game. Perceptions of the need to accelerate individual youth players up the teams has been taken very carefully, always with safety the primary consideration.

We are happy to see guys who played 7s last year now spread over 3s, 4s, 5s and 6s. The captains of those teams play a valuable role in maintaining that pipe line of talent that the new arrivals in the 7s can aspire to and see as achievable.
 
The old codgers of Dave, Bob, Stu, Karl and Cousty continue to derive great personal value from this team and look forward to other seniors committing into what is an incredibly rewarding process.
 
Thanks to Dave for his leadership & vision however it would be appropriate to pass our the final thanks to the parents and guardians of the youth players whose commitment, keeping warm on the pitch side and taxi driving competence is legendary.

This is truly a process where the three components work seamlessly together, the Senior players, the junior players and the parents.
 
Additional Thanks go to Iwan Williams and Russell Gidney and whilst not available regularly their tactical knowledge was extremely gratefully received.

One final thanks from Captain Hunt to Bob, Stu, Karl & Cousty. These guys could all easily play 3s, 4s team hockey week in week out if they chose to. However, they selflessly commit to developing and nurturing the young talent which hopefully will be the lifeblood of future 1st team squads.

Thanks gents, I owe you all a beer.

Author (s) : Dave Hunt, Bob Fleck, Karl Davis