 This week is Women's Sport Week 2016 and here at GHC we take a lookg at five junior players currently playing with our Ladies 1st XI. The five have progressed through the Guildford U14s, U16s and 18’s, and have played with the ladies 3’s and 2’s, improving season upon season to now be playing for our 1st team. Some have also nicely progressed through the EH Single System (now called the Player Pathway) from county to regional level. Have a look at the article below and also catch them in action at home games - check the What's On tab on the GHC website...
Alice
Alice made her debut in the ladies 1’s in the 2015/16 season very much as a bench player initially but after the first half of the season, being in the regular starting line up this season. She also played for her age group. U16s, being in their first 11 and was also a key player in the U18 squad. Alice also successfully progressed through the Surrey U16’s to the regional (JRPC) sessions. She was one of only four Guildford girls to get to this level. She was selected to take part in the Tier 1 cluster matches representing the region against teams from the West Country.
Hannah
Hannah, a current U16 player, has worked extremely hard over the last season or two. Her adult hockey started in the Ladies 3’s at the start of the 2015/16 season. By Christmas she had progressed to the Ladies 2’s and was a key player in the teams resurgence in the New year. In addition to playing in her age group, she also was a key player with the U18’s. Her county hockey went very well and she was the only U16 girl to get to JRPC this year. The start if the 2016/17 season saw her training with the Ladies 1’s and she was successful in being selected to play for the ladies this season and has been a first choice player in the starting line up. Indeed her first Ladies 1 match she was such a key player that the majority of her team mates voted her man of the match.
Holly
Holly joined GHC three seasons ago and played in the U16’s and kept goal for the Ladies 2’s and U18’s. At the time she was also in the Surrey squad. During the 2015/16 season Holly became the first choice keeper for the ladies 1’s and continues that this year, combining with the U18’s. Holly has also been a great role model helping with the coaching of the young aspiring keepers.
Jemma
Jemma joined Guildford Hockey club at the start of the 2015/16 season, keeping goal for the U14’s. She was also the first choice keeper for the ladies 2’s and deputised for both the Ladies 1’s and U18’s and various points of the season. Jemma also worked her way through the Single Sytem, getting to the cluster games two years running. She now keeps goal for the U16 girls (she plays her adult hockey as keeper for the Ladies 1’s elsewhere but we are hoping she is back with us for adult hockey also next season).
Rosie
Rosie played up an age group last season, being in the U16’s, she was in the JRPC training group both last year and this. This year, she has successfully progressed to Hipac. Due to her school commitments, she is unable to play much junior hockey, but she does whenever possible play for the Ladies 1’s.
This is just a brief overview of five of the girls that have progressed through the ranks at GHC. There are many more examples and we hope to highlight more success stories for you with the Ladies and Girls squads and teams really flourishing at GHC. With the addition of a fourth ladies team this season, there are even more opportunities for the older girls to gain valuable experience. Note that from their 13th birthday, girls can play in Women's matches.
There has been no better time to be a girl or woman playing sport in the UK. And judging from how many girls and women we have joining and progressing their hockey, whether at the club or in the Single System, it is safe to say that Guildford Hockey Club is a Great Place to Play.
To see our women in action, come down and enjoy supporting and watching home matches - details on the What's On tab on the webiste and also available in our weekly newsletter InTouch.
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