Sport In Profile UK Issue 14 | Page 51

West Wilts
How important is youth development to the club ?
Over the last few seasons we have seen a large increase in the number of younger members signed up to the club . Last year in particular , 60 % of our membership fell into the youth category . By October , we had to instigate a waiting list to ensure we maintained enough coaches at training . We run weekly fun training sessions throughout the school terms at two locations in Warminster . Our year 6 ’ s and under attend one for an hour , and our year 7 ’ s and over attend another for two hours .
We are very keen to instill the same passion for hockey in everyone who we coach . It is really important to us , to the future of the club and to the future of the sport that we do this on a weekly basis . We find that this passion , in many cases , moves from the young member to their parents who then begin to attend and play adult hockey .
What does WWHC want from the forthcoming season ?
Our Men ’ s section currently have their 1st XI competing in the highest league for Wiltshire clubs and aim to finish as the highest Wiltshire club . We would like to be in a position to comfortably sit all teams in the top half of their respective leagues and ideally take promotion where possible .
Our Masters players are looking forward to some competitive matches in Division 2 of the Wessex Masters League . They also hope to continue their long tradition in making the quarter finals in the Masters Nationals – we hope this will be the year we get even further !
Our Ladies 1st XI held their own last season following promotion , and we hope that this position can be sustained allowing for our 2nd XI and 3rd XI to find their feet within their new leagues following their respective promotions .
What are the biggest challenges for WWHC for the next 5 years ?
Currently , with the one playable home pitch on a Saturday , maintaining adult membership is something we find challenging , therefore we try to ensure this remains affordable and of good value .
We achieve this by continuing to offer great training sessions for our members as well as opportunities within coaching and umpiring . Alongside this , club social events help to knit the club closer as a community .
What are the ambitions of WWHC for the next 5 years ?
The development of all of our players and teams is , as always , at the top of our agenda , and we want to ensure the standard of our hockey remains high and is improved year on year .
Promotion of the club is key and we are hoping to gain much more presence on social media going forwards .
It is also important to us to continue to be recognised as a club where all can play within a supportive , friendly and trusting environment .
Article provided Kayleigh Pothecary , WWHC Press Officer www . sportip . biz 51