News

Dear Member                                                                                                                                                        August 2015

Explanation of reason for EGM to be held at 8 pm on Tuesday 22nd September

The attached documents are the formal notification of the EGM, and state the business under consideration and which is to be voted upon by those members present.   This note is simply to express, in simpler terms, what this is all about!

The Sports Club is a limited company and, as such, it owns all of the assets (and any debts) of the component sections.  To illustrate this point, where a section wishes to take out a loan, it requires the agreement of all of the other sections.  This is because, theoretically, the loan might become a debt which, in an extreme case, could be clawed back from other sections if the section taking out the loan ‘got into trouble’.  One of the great strengths of the Sports Club is that the component sections do pull together, and, working together, we are able to provide a much higher standard of service to you, the membership, than would otherwise be possible.  However, it is a fact that if a section were to get into financial trouble, then, ultimately, other sections’ assets could be jeopardised, as explained above.  I hasten to add that all sections are currently in excellent financial health, and so this note is written from a position of strength rather than weakness.

Notwithstanding the above, Athletic wishes to seek financial independence from the Sports Club, and so, with the unanimous support of the Board, it proposes to detach itself and form a separate limited company.  Hand-in-hand with this, a ‘service user’ agreement is being put in place (with effect from 1st October 2015) which will see Athletic members continue to use the Club as at present, and making a payment (equal to the current CFC) to ensure their continued presence at the Club.   From a day-to-day viewpoint, therefore, there will be no change in the relationship between Athletic members and the Sports Club.  However, Athletic members will cease to have voting rights at the Sports Club, since they will no longer be members of the Club.

The formal resolutions upon which we will vote will sanction the transfer of the Athletic section’s assets (money!) without penalty, and the consequential revisions to the Articles of Association of the Sports Club.

I realise that the above may sound rather dry, and perhaps not make for a good evening’s entertainment!   However, it is important that as many members as possible do attend and contribute to the discussion prior to the formal vote.

Refurbishment of the Club:

Once the above business is completed, I will invite a discussion about the refurbishment of the Club, and would like to hear members’ views on what you would like to see, and how this might be funded.  This topic has been discussed over a long period of time within the Board, and, I am sure, informally by members.  The EGM will provide an excellent opportunity for those present to give their views.

I look forward to welcoming you at 8 pm on Tuesday 22nd September.

George Fisher (Chairman)Formal notification Sports club M&A

Stratford summer league mens 1st X1 were crowned divisional champions with a 13-3 victory over Rugby last night. Stratford will now be representative at the divisional 

RULES CHANGES

The FIH Tournament Regulations which have been incorporated into

the Rules of Hockey for 2015 are breaking at a penalty corner, the

two minute green card and the use of the stick above the shoulder.

The breaking at penalty corners Regulation has effected a signficant reduction in the number of breaks at Tournaments, by both attackers and defenders. As a consequence, the requirement that a penalty stroke be awarded for defenders persistently crossing the back-line before permitted has been deleted. Breaking at penalty

corners can now be managed with this new Rule, noting that the

penalty stroke provision was only rarely invoked.

The two minute green card will now provide an additional management aid to umpires at all levels.

The ability to play the ball with the stick above the shoulder .

.

Two Rules changes have been included.

The first is the ability to take attacking free hits, awarded within 5 metres of the edge of the circle, from the point of the offence. The ball still has to travel at least 5 metres before it can be played into the circle, or alternatively has to be touched by another player of either team, other than the player taking the free hit..

The second change concerns the re-start after the ball has unintentionally been played over the back-line by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges, and no goal is scored. Play will now be re-started with the ball on the 23 metres line and in line with where it crossed the back-line

Another Rules deletion is that of the ability to progress a free hit by up to 10 metres.

23  7.4 When the ball is played over the back-line and no goal is scored

:

A if played by an attacker, play is re-started with the ball up to 15 metres from and in line with where it crossed the back-line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply

B if played unintentionally by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges, play is re-started with the ball on the 23 metres line and in line with where it crossed the back-line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply

With the ball being placed on the line, the re-start is effectively within the 23 metres area and the provisions for taking a free hit are applicable

9.7 Players may stop, receive and deflect or play the ball in a controlled manner in any part of the field when the ball is at any height including above the shoulder unless this is dangerous or leads to danger.

.

13.7 For an offence during the taking of a penalty corner

:

A the player taking the push or hit from the back-line does not have at least one foot outside the field

: the penalty corner is taken again

B the player taking the push or hit from the back-line feints at playing the ball, the offending player is required to go beyond the centre-line but is replaced by another attacker : the penalty corner is taken again

If this feinting leads to what otherwise would be a breach of this rule by a defender, only the attacker is required to go beyond the centre-line.

C a defender, other than the goalkeeper, crosses the back-line or goal-line before permitted, the offending player is required to go beyond the centre-line and cannot be replaced by another defender : the penalty corner is taken again

37 If a defender at this or any subsequently re-taken penalty corner crosses the back-line or goal-line before permitted, the offending player is also required to go beyond the centre-line and cannot be replaced A penalty corner is considered as re-taken until any of the conditions of Rules 13.5 and 13.6 for its completion are met A subsequently awarded penalty corner, as opposed to a re-taken penalty corner, may be defended by up to five players If a defender crosses the centre-line before permitted, the penalty corner is taken again

38 d a goalkeeper, or player with goalkeeping privileges, crosses the goal-line before permitted, the defending team defends the penalty corner with one fewer player

:

the penalty corner is taken again The defending team nominates which player is required to go beyond the centre-line, and they cannot be replaced by another defender If a goalkeeper, or player with goalkeeping privileges, at this or any subsequently re-taken penalty corner crosses the goal-line before permitted, the defending team is required to nominate a further player to go beyond the centre-

line, and they cannot be replaced A penalty corner is considered as re-taken until any of the conditions of Rules 13.5 and 13.6 for its completion are met

A subsequently awarded penalty corner, as opposed to a re-taken penalty corner, may be defended by up to five players

38e an attacker enters the circle before permitted, the offending player is required to go beyond the centre-line : the penalty corner is taken again Attackers who are sent beyond the centre-line may not return for re-taken penalty corners, but may do so for a subsequently awarded penalty corner

f for any other offence by attackers : a free hit is awarded to the defence. Except as specified above, a free hit, penalty corner or penalty stroke is awarded as specified

elsewhere in the Rules

41. 14  Personal penalties

14.1 For any offence, the offending player may be

:

A cautioned (indicated by spoken words)

B warned and temporarily suspended for 2 minutes of playing time (indicated by a green card)

C temporarily suspended for a minimum of 5 minutes of playing time (indicated by a yellow card)

For the duration of each temporary green and yellow card suspension of a player on or off the field, the offending team plays with one fewer player.

D permanently suspended from the current match (indicated by a red card).

For each permanent suspension, the offending team plays for the remainder of the match with one fewer player A personal penalty may be awarded in addition to the appropriate penalty

A big thank you to all the coaches, managers and helpers for what has been another wonderful season for our juniors. Keep practicing those skills in the summer and we will see you in September for registration and the start of another season.

The evening is of great tradition for SHC players, old and new, and tends to have a buzzing end-of-season atmosphere.  Those early mornings meets, frustrating losses, cut knees and bruised egos are long forgotten and everyone is in the mood to party!

In a nutshell, you can expect…

• Lots of smartly dressed players, differing in age, ability and style.  The Men drag out their jackets and look very dapper (for at least an hour), and the ladies pop on their party frocks to brighten up the club.
• Grace before dinner (a must)
• A delicious three course dinner (you will spot the oldies having cheese and biscuits with a glass of port to follow – please don’t feel you are missing out, it will be you one day)
• Awards to recognise members that go the extra mile
• The club theme tune ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond will be belting out – at this point please hit the dance floor, and follow the moves of those with air trombones, with excitement.
• Celebrate the end of a hopefully successful, if not fun and eventful, season with your fellow players
• Everyone has a ball (not a hockey ball)…and a lot to drink (over 18s only).

Kick off at 7pm (dinner will be served by 8pm)

Dress code: Smart

Cost: Senior £20 and Juniors £15 (payable by cheque, cash or by bank transfer)

*Under 18s must be collected from the club by a parent/guardian at 10.30pm please

 Cheques to be made out to ‘Stratford Sports Club Hockey Section’.

Bank transfers:

Stratford Hockey Club

Lloyds TSB

30-98-26

01945034

Please let Neil Jones know when you have made payment by email [email protected]

Can each team PLEASE nominate a ‘players dinner representative’ to collect money, collate menu choices and rally the troops.

 Any questions, please contact Hayley Nicholls.

There will be no junior training on Wednesday 18th Feb due to half term. Training will resume again on 25th February.

Stand out preformances came from Stratford Under 10’s who came 3rd as did the under 12  Bards team. It was a great chance for new members to get a taste of competitive action and the certainly did not disappoint with great teamwork and enthusiasm from all the teams and their supporters. Special thanks must go to the team managers and umpires.

See you there!!

From all the junior section coaches and helpers have a great Christmas and New Year.

Right from the off Stratford set out to enjoy the day and adopted an open attacking style of play with disciplined defence; characterised by an expansive passing game, clinical finishing and fine individual skills. Free scoring from Max Ramsay, Joss Hipkin, Theo Davis & William Key, a composed midfield performance from Daniel Newman, penetrating runs out of defence by Joel Dunnett and incisive tackling by Edward Shurmer enabled them to top their group with three wins and only the one narrow defeat; scoring ten goals and only conceding three in the process. Stratford’s fine day came to end in the semi-final where two unfortunate injuries meant they played the majority of the game with only five players, going down five two to Edgbaston but not without first putting in a gutsy performance where they stayed true to their attacking philosophy grabbing two fine consolation goals despite being outnumbered.