A message from the Club Captain

An open letter from OCHC Club Captain Simon Marshall to all members

Now that we are few weeks into the season I feel a brief update is due following my initial welcome message to you all last month. Firstly, I am pleased to say that we have made a cracking start to the season across both the mens and the ladies teams and I hope that this success is maintained. Secondly, we are delighted at how many new faces we have welcomed to the Club and how you have all managed to slot in. At this stage of the season there are always teething troubles and the purpose of this Newsletter is to highlight a couple of these to you. In my welcome message I made reference to the principles of fun and fair play, playing to win and supporting the team captains. I would like to expand on a couple of these principles.

Having represented in my time the men’s 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, the Vets and “Super Vets” (surely he can’t be old enough I hear you say), I would like to think that I am well placed to comment on the highs and lows of playing for the Club having been dropped and reinstated more times than I would care to think.

Given the pool of male players available to us this year I feel that it is more than possible for the Club to get all three of the Men’s sides promoted. These are the primary goals that have been set to the team captains. To achieve these goals all of us have to pull together as Club, players, coaches and captains alike. This means that players will inevitably have to be prepared to be as flexible as possible and to understand the problems that the captains have in picking what must be out of necessity their strongest teams.

Please remember that you joined the Club, not a particular team and on occasions you may therefore be selected to play for another team. The team Captains are already faced with the considerable difficulties of managing availability for both training and matches. They all have to try to strike the right balance between the players who commit themselves to training and fixtures week in week out and those who simply cannot commit as regularly due to work or for personal reasons. Of course there will be instances where individuals will feel harshly treated by a particular selection. Unfortunately this has been going on for the 35 years that I have been playing hockey, but that is Club life.

My second message is one to all male and female players and is an appeal for you to pay your subscriptions. Unfortunately the Club cannot run on fresh air – there are bills to pay. I am conscious that in today’s economic climate the sums involved are a lot and we are more than happy to discuss individual circumstances to help your cashflow. Years ago in a former role as Club Secretary, I was charged with collecting subs and on one Saturday morning just before push back was found standing on the balcony hollering out across the green swards of TD to an OC player reminding him he hadn’t paid. Out of sheer embarrassment his cheque was on the bar after the match – he had cowered off home. You have been warned!!!

I look forward to continue counting the wins as they come in and to seeing us all collectively take the Club from strength to strength as well as enjoying a few beers in the bar afterwards.

Best Wishes

Simon Marshall
Club Captain