Robin's views on the season so far!

The year so far….

This season had promised much in terms of player and squad development with several new members joining over the summer months. However, with the on-going challenges associated with COVID-19 and trying to manage the playing aspects of the club, it has been a very frustrating few months. The 1^st squad have played two league games, winning one against Civil Service and losing a very close match with Belfast Harlequins.  Performances in both games gave rise for a lot of optimism and the shape of the squad was coming together with each training session and match. I travelled to watch our scheduled next opponents, South Antrim play against Mossley, and we had plans in place in order to win that next game.  As everyone knows, we then had a restriction placed on all hockey and training from early in October and this placed a significant hold on all hockey playing activity.

The term “momentum” is regularly used in sporting fields and endeavours. However, the Covid restrictions “halted our momentum” dramatically, so much so that Men’s training only resumed on Monday 14^th December. We had a very strong attendance, great atmosphere and it was a delight that we could get back on the pitch again, only for it all to come to another abrupt stop.

Ivan Steen and I have been in regular contact during the hiatus, and we have plans in place to get back to full playing capability as quickly as we can. We have to treat the coming weeks as valuable preparation time for any future league re-starts.

Moving into 2021……

The aspiration is to get the men’s squads back to full training and matches as soon as is possible. This is COVID dependent of course, but if and when hockey returns, there is a strong confidence that the 1’s can challenge for a top four position in the Premier League.  The main threat is that there may be more COVID variables which could impact this goal. Players and their family welfare have to take priority, but player availability, risk of injury, family commitments, work commitments have all changed in the “new normal.”  We will certainly try and best manage these variables with as much understanding and resolve as possible, we must remain flexible in our coaching and playing approaches, reviewing the remainder of this unprecedented season almost on a week to week basis.

I am confident that as a playing group, coaching group and with the support of the wider club we will be able to do this. 

The challenges that lie ahead are faced by all clubs in Ulster, but I have no doubt that Newry Olympic Hockey Club will come through these difficult times, and will be much stronger as a result of the experience.

My personal thanks go to all in the club, players, supporters, committee members and the trustees for the work and commitment shown and provided in abundance so far this season. Hope to see you all pitch-side very soon.

- Robin Madeley (Mens 1st XI Coach)