Welcome to the summer 2015 newsletter, there is a lot of information, dates, events etc. contained here but please also make sure you join the closed SHC Facebook group. This is where events, photographs, match reports and team banter can be found and more regular club wide information during the season, the information can also be found on our club website. Pre Season Fitness Training Every Monday night, 7pm, meeting at Shaw Ridge (just behind The Village hotel, where we park for away matches) for some light pre season runs & maybe the odd hill sprint!!! Everyone welcome. Pre Season Training ~ August Every Wednesday night 7.30pm – 8.30pm (during August) at Isambard School, open to all club members, new & old come down and dust off your stick! (Junior training has separate arrangements) Training from Wednesday September 2nd Ladies 2nd XI and invited juniors 7.30pm – 8.30pm Ladies 1 st XI and invited development players 8.30pm – 9.45pm Men’s 2 nd XI, 3 rd XI and invited juniors 7.30pm – 8.30pm Men’s 1 st XI and invited development players 8.30pm – 9.45pm (The above times are on pitch training sessions, your coaches might start the session earlier to enable pitch side warm up etc.) Club Subscriptions 15/16 – Pre Season discount Please be aware that the pre season discount scheme is only up until club day on Saturday 5th September, the club membership form is on the club website or via the link on the Facebook page. Every member needs to complete a membership form. Are you an umpire or coach? Your club is always looking for more coaches or umpires, are you qualified, or maybe only part qualified but want to get involved? Speak to Julian Cooke for umpiring and Claire Tyas for coaching roles within the club. Your club needs members to help out and do their bit, so please help out if you can.

Club Day ~ 5th September This years season is nearly upon us! Club day is Saturday 5th September at Isambard School from 12noon till 2.30pm. The format for this years club day will be 6/7 aside mixed games, so please make the effort to come down. This year we have joined forces with the North Swindon Fun Day. We will be hosting a stall, so please pop across after the mixed games for a go on the flick net, a beer or two at the beer tent, or perhaps a cuppa and a cake in the vintage tea tent! Oh and there’s a Hog Roast! It’s open 1-6pm, in front of Isambard School, near the children’s play park you can’t miss it. Club day is a great way to start the season, meet new & existing club members and please do support the local community event after. Your committee Your committee has been busy during the summer, its has undertaken a review of the clubs constitution, it has been updating the clubs 5 year plan, developing links with local schools/colleges to improve opportunities for sport within Swindon. New Rules With lots of new rules coming in this season, Wiltshire Umpiring has organised an update meeting for all umpires. This will be held on Thursday 3 rd September at Warminster School, Warminster from 7.30pm, (get in touch with Alan Gough if you are interested). This is a great opportunity for all umpires to hear & try to understand the new rules. This will also give umpires the chance to share the umpiring community’s interpretations of the new rules with players at a later date. (As a suggestion check out England Hockey website for rule updates, or FIH website. If you find any good links or information then please share with everyone on the clubs Facebook page.)

Festive Quiz ~ Saturday 12 th December 7.30pm ~ Stratton Bowls Club, prizes for the best Christmas jumper or festive fancy dress!! Mulled wine, mince pies and cheap drinks! Mixed Team After last years success in the national mixed knock out cup the club is relaunching SHC mixed team for all club members to get involved with. Your captain is Jim Towers and he is already busy arranging friendly fixtures on Sundays against other local teams. More information to follow. If interested please speak to Jim and/or keep an eye out on Facebook for details of the Sunday mixed matches, this will also give the opportunities for new/part or even unqualified umpires to practice. The mixed cup team will also be making a welcome return in the coming season as they look to progress further than last season when they reached the last 16 of England Hockey mixed knock out cup. Club Improvements Have you got a great suggestion for how to improve our club? Are we missing out on a sponsorship opportunity to compliment our existing sponsorship with Kembrey Park? Or a funding stream to take the club to another level? Please get in touch with Craig Sage, Claire Tyas. Saturday 3rd October – Social Event Your social committee are busy trying to arrange a social event for Saturday 3rd Oct, negotiations are currently underway, make sure you speak to your captain or check Facebook events page so not to miss out! Halloween Race Night ~ Saturday 31 st October Get your best ghost outfit on, or maybe clean up your fangs and your Dracula outfit and enjoy a night at the races. Everyone welcome, club members, kids, friends and prizes for the best outfits! At Stratton Bowls Club (SN3 4JY) 7.30pm – 11.30pm