Second half of the season underway!

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England Assessments for Norwich City Hockey Club Juniors

George Anthony and Amy Campbell have been selected for England Trials and assessment.

George and Amy have developed as players through Norwich City Hockey Club. Starting in the Minis section, they played a significant part in the successful junior teams in their age groups, and both currently play for the Mens and ladies senior first teams. With fantastic training from the Norwich City coaches, coupled with their own hard work and determination to succeed, they have the potential to compete in hockey at international level. Their recent training sessions with Norfolk County coaches at the Junior Development Centres (JDCs) and Junior Academy Centres (JACs) have enhanced their skills, fitness and teamwork.

George Anthony – Men's 1st team squad member, attended the under 17 England
Hi-Performance Assessment Centre (HiPAC).

George was one of 60 of the country's top under 17 boys that have recently attended a training weekend at Leeds University. He was selected from match trials at a Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPCs). The trials offer a combination of training and competition allowing players to develop in a variety of situations and ensures that they are assessed in more than just the competition environment. JRPCs provide regular training sessions where players receive high level coaching on the core skills of hockey from JRPC coaches, and, with additional input from England Hockey’s Centrally Contracted Coaches. Although George has not, as yet progressed to the second stage, he has been identified as a ‘talented’ player and will be working hard at club, school and Junior Academy Centre training sessions with the aim of progressing through to the JRPC activities again later this year.

Amy Campbell – Ladies 1st team Squad Member, selected for trials for the under 16 England squad.

Initially Amy was selected to attend the Under 15 Hi Performance Assessment Centre (HiPAC), but the coaches were so impressed with her level of ability that she was invited to attend the trials for the Under 16 National Age Group (NAG) Squad, despite being only 14!

The process involves a rigorous training schedule which began last year. She attended several training sessions at Lilleshall, and Bisham Abbey. If selected Amy will be visiting Germany for a weeks tour this year. She will also be competing in training matches against Scotland, Belgium and the German National sides.

If Amy fails to get into the U16 squad, she will fall back into the U15 England squad, who have further training sessions throughout the year.

Amy comments: “My trainer at the HiPAC camp was with the Captain of the Irish ladies team who has won 208 caps for her country, it was a real honour to be coached by her. The experience of playing in this type of environment and at such a high standard is definitely one I will never forget. As intense as the training is, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience.”

Bag2theFuture!

The Bags2theFuture collection was a great success. In total they weighed 720 kilos and the club received £360 which was a great effort for our first attempt. In addition, we have put some items on eBay and from the clothes and book sale at the club made a further £100. Many, many thanks indeed to everyone who has helped and supported us with this new venture. We think we can do even better next time – now we have gone through the process once. If you have a bit of space at home, please keep collecting your good quality clothes, bags, shoes and linens and we hope to arrange another collection in the Spring.

Minis Sponsored Florescent Dribble

The sponsored dribble run by the Minis was a great success. Sarah Anthony gives the following comments on a brilliant day:

WOW, WOW, WOW EVERYONE, what can I say, I was totally bowled with the fantastic fundraising efforts of the Minis.

I am so proud of the effort and dedication everyone put into the Sponsored Florescent Dribble. Some of you have clearly spent the whole holidays approaching relatives, neighbours and friends (possibly a few enemies!!) and asking them to sponsor you. As you can see from the photo, there was an amazing amount of thought went into some of the outfits, which were fabulous, funky and fun.

I can assure you all that the NCHC Committee will be stunned by your hard work. The adult teams will be incredibly impressed.

SO FAR, we have raised £2,300.00.

On behalf of Norwich City Hockey Club, a MASSIVE, HUGE, THANK YOU to all the Minis, their parents and supporting sponsors.

Dates for your diary

Tom Hindle has been working tirelessly to organise our social calendar. Below are some of the events upcoming. Please come along and join in the fun and support your Club.

28 Jan 2012 – Quiz 'n' Chip
Come and enjoy a fun night out for all, whilst testing your general knowledge.

Open to all members, guests and families of all ages.

Saturday 28th January 7.30pm at Taverham

You can orgnaise your own team of 6 players or we will arrange teams on arrival.

Cash Prizes to be won

Adults £5.00, Under 16s £3.00

11 February – Casino night. Adults £7, Under 16s £4

3 Mar 2012 – Race Night. Details to be confirmed

17 Mar 2012 – Race Night. Details to be confirmed

See our events page for more information: http://www.norwichcityhc.co.uk

Workshops to help 'make sport happen' in olympic year

A series of Sport Maker workshops kicks off at Broadland's Head Quarters in January to give people the chance to find out more about Olympic values and the difference they can make to community sport by volunteering.

The project, part of Sport England's Olympic legacy programme and delivered locally by Active Norfolk, aims to capture the excitement around the Olympic Games and use it to encourage those over 16 years of age to make sport happen in their community - whether it's by organising sport for themselves and their friends, colleagues and neighbours or doing all the non-sporting things that make the sporting activity possible.

Information on the national scheme is available at on the Sport Makers website where anyone interested in taking part can sign up. From there they can book onto one of the series of two hour workshops. Every one who takes part in the workshops will receive some free Adidas kit.

The website also shows where volunteers are needed and participants can log the hours they spend volunteering. If they complete 10 hours they will be entered into a draw for Olympic tickets.

"Each Sport Maker can help ensure an Olympic Legacy in Norfolk," added Stephen Hulme of Active Norfolk. "The scheme also offers a great chance to give something back to the community, gain experience in working in sport and meet new people."

The first New Year workshop will be held at Broadland District Council offices in Yarmouth Road on 19 January at 6.30pm with further workshops planned in the coming months. Aylsham Lodge Hotel will host a session on 31 January at the same time and Swaffham will host a further workshop in February.

For more information, contact Active Norfolk on 01603 731567.

Find out more information by visiting the club website.

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