Family evening a winner

As it is the close season, it has been a couple of months since my last post, for which I must apologise as I think you are supposed to be regular with them.

Last Thursday, and the one before we have been trying something new, which is to try and get parents to come along and try Hockey with their children, and maybe encourage a few to join us for the season proper.  Many of the parents were previous players who put their sticks down some years ago.  Years ago, I used to play on the left wing and I used to practice hitting the ball across the face of the goal while running flat out for our then centre forward Andy to deflect in (harder than it sounds, especially on grass).  Thursday, Andy turned up with his daughter Hannah, along with 24 or 25 others.  We split the group in two, one half 'beginners' and one half 'current players and pros'.  We practiced a few of the new foundation skills recommended by England Hockey, Andy commented that it was very different to how he remembered it.

It was very hot and humid, so we had to break for drinks on a couple of occasions, and after the second break we got everyone together for a final full pitch match of 12 a side.  Ages ranged from 7 or 8 I think, up to 50 (maybe more), pushing only for safety.  I played at the back in order to make sure we weren't caught out by the opposition forwards Elizabeth and Mae (aged 7 or 8) who had decided to goal hang in the hope of bagging the winner, but then chatted nicely with my goalkeeper Jack.

The game raged back and forward with neither side able to achieve the breakthrough, and although very entertaining ended goalless following a last second save by Jack to deny Amy.  Just before the end, the ball broke through to me and after intercepting it to prevent Elizabeth or Mae slotting home, I moved the ball wide to safety in preparation for a pass up the wing.  In came Andy with a absolutely crunching tackle (foul), accompanied by a lot of laughter, and "It's alright, it's only you!"  Now that's what I remember, and it seems the game hasn't changed so much after all.