The Committee is duty bound to meet on 6 occasions per year. In fact, we have met on 8 occasions since the last AGM.
Since the last AGM, the North Cheam Sports & Social Club (NCSSC) has come under new management. MHC has struck up an excellent relationship with the new management (Roger Hoskins) and much has been achieved to gain "security of tenure" for the foreseeable future. This has involved a little more paperwork in order to ensure that we are operating within the rules of the NCSSC. NCSSC is now itself working on a much more professional basis and we are happy to inform our members that we now have "corporate membership" of NCSSC and an entitlement to attend any meetings regarding its future. In the meantime, everything appears to be running smoothly.
Starting the season without a 3rd X1 captain caused much aggravation for those involved in the weekly selection of our teams. However, in November Ian Hutton volunteered to take on this role and we are grateful to him for doing so. Everybody's life has since become much easier! With regret, due to injury, Ian will be unable to continue next season. We thank him for stepping-in so readily. The good news is that he will still be around both as an umpire and Equipment Officer.
There has been a certain amount of speculation as to whether all our Mens' teams are playing at the right level or in the most appropriate leagues. The team captains have discussed this and further consideration is still being given to this matter. The committee feels it is of paramount importance that everybody enjoys their hockey and that adverse results could have a detrimental effect on morale.
With the change of time of Wednesday training, attendance has been pretty good. Half way through the season, for personal reasons, we lost Grant Fulton but his place was taken by Jon Molloy from Surbiton HC and we are grateful to Jon for seeing us through the season.
The Mens 1st X1 has had a rather disappointing season, finishing bottom of Surrey Division Two. However, there has been little to choose between most of the clubs in this league and if we were able to secure the services of a couple of quality players, our fortunes could be reversed fairly quickly. This is something we must work towards. We have had our "honeymoon period" and we must now concentrate more vigorously on improving the standard of our hockey.
The Mens 2nd X1 held their own very well for most of the season in a league dominated by two clubs. We fell away badly towards the end but again, apart from the top two clubs, there was little to choose between the others. Just three or four more points would have seen us over half way up the league. One major problem seems to be that this team has plenty of experience but nothing like enough youth to act as a feeder to the 1st X1.
The Mens 3rd X1 have battled away against the odds all season but league points have proved hard to come by. It is hoped that next season in a lower league will see a reversal of fortunes.
The Boars (non-league) , comprising the remaining fit vets + some youngsters, have suffered from inconsistent availability through having to help out our league teams and having others to double-up to play for them. The captain makes special mention of Ivor Vials who, despite his hip replacement, has umpired in all the inclement conditions. Results have not been great, especially in mismatches given to us by the Conference. However, the regular players have enjoyed their hockey.
The Ladies 1st X1 have enjoyed a much more successful season. Numbers are rising steadily and next season the Ladies will be putting out a regular 2nd X1 (non-league) in order to accommodate these increasing numbers. This really is a magnificent effort when you think of the awful state they were in at the start of last season.
The committee would like to thank Dee and Marion Boylan for all the hard work they have done this season. The season kicked-off with a very successful Open Day and in November we all enjoyed an excellent Fancy Dress Disco – very well attended. The highlight though was the Xmas Dinner and Disco which again was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. If those events are anything to go by, we should have an absolutely splendid end of season dinner on Saturday 20th April.
President's Day Everything is in place for this event on Sunday 8th April. There will be 3 games hockey and the President looks forward to welcoming as many past and present members as possible.
Easter Festival: Under the "stewardship" of James Steatham, we have a team going to Weston- Super-Mare for Easter.
One or two committee members are standing-down at the end of the season. Tim Cleminson has a new job and feels that he will be unable to do justice to the very important job of Fixture Secretary. Also Alan Titman, for many years Bar Secretary at the "old" club, is standing-down as Facilities Manager. I'm sure you would all like to join the committee in thanking them both for their long and sterling service to the club.
Marion Boylan is standing-down as Social Secretary. The good news is that sister Dee has expressed her willingness to continue! Our warmest thanks to Marion for really getting things moving this season.
Finally, both the Mens and Ladies 1st X1 Captains, Chris Walker and Fiona Lumsden and Mens 2nd X1 Captain Sean Gardner are also standing-down .We thank them for all their efforts this season and wish their successors the very best of fortunes.
The importance of replacing Tim and Alan cannot be over-emphasised. These are two vital roles and it would be nice to think that the committee will be flooded with offers to get involved in the club's management. Dare we say that it would be good to see a few Men 1st X1 players playing a larger part in the club's activities?