Fast growing hockey club gears up for new season

MEMBERS of fast-growing Lymm Hockey Club are preparing for the coming season – and reflecting on its incredible growth in just 13 years.
Since launching in the 2005-2006 season, the club has grown beyond its founders’ wildest dreams.
They began with a single men’s team with kit begged and borrowed from Lymm Rugby Club. There were just enough players to complete the team sheet.
Today the club boasts more than 120 male players and more than 200 female affiliated to England Hockey
The age range is from the youngest, aged five, to experienced veterans of 50-plus.
This year has seen successes on and off the pitch, with a highlight a trip to Lee Valley Stadium – where the Olympic hockey was held in 2012 – to see the men’s lst team complete in the England Hockey National Tier 3 final.
Despite losing it was a truly memorable day out for more than 50 Lymm hockey families who travelled to the final with the support of Lymm Round Table.
The men’s 1st team was also shortlisted for England Hockey Team of the year – a great acknowledgement for a relatively small, young, northern club.
Another accolade for the club this year was the achievement of one of its coaches, Chris Hunt, in winning the Cheshire Hockey Association “Lifetime Achievement” award.
Former player Chris has invested many, many hours in coaching juniors and umpiring matches.
But the club stresses it’s not all about winning.
A number of “fun” games and inter-club tournaments for juniors and seniors are held throughout the year.
One such event is the annual Chivfest when the club remembers sadly-missed women’s 1sdt team player Susie Chiverton, who was always first to volunteer and loved to join in.
ChivFest has become an event to look forward to in the club calendar involving juniors, seniors, men and women of all ages and experience for a fun day of semi-competitive hockey.
This year also saw the Men’s 3rd team challenge the Women’s 3rd team in a very competitive game which, despite the resulted, ended with an enjoyable barbecue afterwards.
Lymm Hockey Club stresses it is very much a family club – and that it is still looking for more members.
All ages and abilities are welcome and the club organises “back to hockey” sessions for those who haven’t played for some years or, indeed, may never have played.
Anyone interested in joining should email [email protected] or visit the club website www.lymmhockey.com