Awards and prizes

For most clubs, it is customary to have awards ceremonies at the end of the season, and to say thanks to all the helpers, usually at an end-of-season dinner.  We're no different, with a marquee outside the club house.  This year we decided to maximise the use of the marquee by having a junior party and awards ceremony on the Friday evening before the main club supper.  Great attendance at both and lots of folks getting their rewards and thanks for all the effort they have put in through the season.  One of the littl-uns was almost too shy to collect his prize and went up with Dad, but apparently clutched his prize closely for the rest of the evening.  As is always the case, there are a large number of people who help out to make the club work, and it's not possible to thank them all individually, but everyone always knows who those stalwarts are.  Any hope I had of winning player of the year for the 5ths was dashed when I realised that you can't vote for yourself, so as I got no votes, Josh got it instead, deservedly I must admit.  As usual, the organisation by Emma, Rowie and Martin was flawless, and it was great to see such a good buzz about the place.  I had to leave at 12.30, as I was shattered after taking Nick to Go Ape earlier in the day, but the party was still in full swing when I left, with the dance-floor full.

Although the season is now officially over, there are still some tournaments, summer matches and festivals to look forward to.  In fact the U12 Boys team which Ravi was managing had a tournament in Milton Keynes this morning, and Sarah was helping with the Bucks Girls this afternoon; you have to admire the resilience of the Hockey fraternity to be able to turn out like that the day after the club supper.  I popped round the club this morning to see if there was any clearing up to be done but the place looked surprisingly tidy, I'm sure that was due to Hannah and Warren and others in the early hours, so many thanks to them.  So now is time to recharge the batteries and enjoy some occasional hockey in the sun to avoid getting too rusty, and help keep up the fitness.