Summer in the Hockey
Despite the summer monsoons Liverpool Sefton prepares for next season. It has announced its coaches with GB International coach Peter Nicholson continuing as Women’s First Team coach and the appointment of James Cunliffe as Men’s Coach.
In preparation for another year in the National League our Women’s First Team start pre-season training on 6th July and the men held their pre-season briefing from new coach on 15th June where they welcomed new and returning players. League matches commence on 24th September.
Throughout the summer on Thursday evenings at Liverpool College fitness and camaraderie is being maintained by summer matches and tournaments at Bowden and Southport.
Coaches James Cunliffe and Susie McFarlane have been invited by England Hockey to the pre-Rio Olympics Champions Trophy at the Olympic Park in London on 25th June. This is a big thank you to Liverpool Sefton for all our work in helping develop hockey in Liverpool. They will attend matches (all being televised on BT Sport) between Argentina v Netherlands, New Zealand v USA and Great Britain v Australia and be guests for lunch, networking and a briefing from England Hockey.
At Junior level much goes on. Jenny Ratcliffe and Mike Lennon have qualified as Level 2 Coaches. On the 8th July as part of our Satellite Club link with Archbishop Blanch School we are providing 6 young players to help at the Merseyside School Games Quicksticks Hockey tournament at Wavertree. Here 14 primary school county finalists will be competing and our youngsters will be officiating. On June 16th prior to the start of the Liverpool Hope International Tennis Tournament at Liverpool Cricket Club over 300 primary pupils attended the Schools Day. Here they had a taste of hockey as well as lacrosse, rugby, table tennis, cricket and tennis and also watched tennis. Hockey will also form a major part of the Liverpool Cricket Club MultiSports Summer School for 8-15 year olds which runs from 1st-5th August with coaching in cricket, football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, squash and tennis. Be there!
For the older former players Back to Hockey continues and a new course starts on 2nd August. As ever all are welcome.
Phew … and this is the close season!