This years committee has seen a big refresh of volunteers helping to run and shape the club. As we’re now getting our feet under the table we thought it would be a great time to update you with some of the behind-the-scenes developments at Leeds Adel Hockey Club.
Match Start Times
After feedback from neutral umpires appointed to our Men’s 1XI we trialed in the six weeks prior to Christmas extending 2 of the 5 pitch slots to give extra warm-up time on the pitch between matches. After taking feedback from players, umpires, coaches, our fixtures secretaries, and captains we have decided to retain 1 of the 2 extended slots on a weekly basis for the rest of the season. This should mean that matches are more likely to start on time throughout the day, and there are extended warm-up periods where required by the league.
The new Saturday match start times are as follows:
10.15, 11.45, 13.30, 15.00, 16.30
We’re working with the AWMA to ensure the clubhouse is opened up 15 minutes early – so that you can get into the bar straight away after the first match of the day.
Many thanks to all those that supported this trial – and to all those that gave feedback.
Finances
The club remains in a healthy financial position in the short to medium term, thanks greatly to the promptness of members in paying their annual subscriptions. Apologies to those who have had their pre-authorisation cancelled by AWMA (a subsection of people paying by direct debit). There are still a handful of people that have not re-authorised their direct debit – please look out for emails from Alice (membership secretary) as this may be the case for you.
Since the summer Tom Webb (Treasurer), the AWMA, and committee have been working on firming up the longer-term finances of the club. Specifically, ensuring that there are enough funds in savings to fund the required re-lay of the pitch – which we estimate to be required in 2030. Through revising individual sections required savings each year, and taking over and improving the number and rate/ hour of external pitch bookings we now hope to save between £30,000 – £35,000 each year between now and 2030 – enough to self-fund without the requirement for further grants. This then subsequently means that we can start to look at additional infrastructure development in the coming years with the use of grants and further fundraising. Keep an eye out for more information on this in the coming months.
Lighting upgrade
After our £60,000 investment in LED lighting over the summer we now have the electricity usage reports which show that we are saving around £8000 per annum on electricity compared with if we had not chosen to upgrade the lights over the summer. We hope you will have noticed the improvement in the standard of light, and see the value of the investment made over the summer.
The lighting to the pitch has also been improved, and timers changed to ensure that they come on earlier after feedback from parents arriving for the earlier junior training sessions.
Kit, coaching, and umpire development
We’re continuing to invest in new kit and training materials for our junior and senior sections. Juniors will notice new goalkeeper kit recently purchased, and club-wide there are new coaching materials to aid with sessions.
Will Powley has been leading on a new coaching development scheme – which has introduced 13 new coaches into the England Hockey coaching framework – and continues throughout the second half of this season. It’s been great to see the development of those attending the course – and how they have begun to utilise their skills in sessions for juniors and seniors. This scheme is fully funded by the club, and if you’re interested in starting coaching (you need not have any experience) do get in touch.
Additionally to the coaching development, we have also had a swath of new umpires attending England Hockey umpire courses. Since the start of the season 12 new umpires have attended courses – reaching Level 1 (unassessed) standard. Please be supportive of these umpires, who will be conducting games with senior umpires over the coming months in an attempt to build experience to take their Level 1 (assessed) qualification. Bridget Petty, Mark Powley and Rich Poll (all umpire developers) have kindly offered to observe and provide feedback to any and all those that want it – with our aim to have the best set of umpires in the region.
Of course, there is plenty else going on – and if anyone would like any update on particular matters or has any suggestions please do get in touch.
Thanks to all those that have given time, effort and resources over the first part of the season. Volunteering can be hard work and challenging at times, but is also incredibly rewarding. If you’d like to do more at the club – there is always more we can do – please do get in touch!