T-1 day
Club Day was a great day in the sun featuring a Kidds masterclass from Matt Bowen, a mixed tournament, 2 wins for the L1 and M1 in the afternoon showcase matches. The season is finally upon us - with all 17 adult teams in action in their first league games of the season. Today the Back Post covers 10 things you need to do before the start of the season.
Add your Availability to your team spreadsheet
Please please please make sure your availability in your squad’s spreadsheet is correct by midday Sunday each week. Managing selection for a club our size is no easy task and a lot depends on knowing what people will be doing the following Saturday. I.e. umpires/transport/social lives cannot be sorted until people know where they’re playing and when.
If you can’t make your squad’s allotted game but could make an earlier/later one, please note this on your spreadsheet using the option from the dropdown. Do not notify other captains and ask to be put on their lists as this causes confusion and adds extra work for those organising.
If you cannot access your squad’s spreadsheet please reach out to your club captain (wappingmcc@gmail.com/wappinglcc@gmail.com)
If anything changes during the week please let your captain and club captain know immediately.
We massively appreciate your help with this.
2. Pay your subs
This is the second backpost reminder to pay your Wapping membership fees. There are commission rates for those on a low income, students and new joiners. If you have any questions about membership fees or are having difficulty in paying then please do contact the treasurer Jules (treasurer.wapping@gmail.com). Conversations between players and Jules will be kept confidential. Link to pay here.
3. Make sure you are registered on GMS
If you haven’t already, this is your absolute last chance to make sure you are registered on GMS otherwise you will not be able to play in games tomorrow. Instructions on how to do so can be found here.
4. Join Wapping whatsapp groups
Make sure you have joined your team’s whatsapp group, if you are not sure who to contact please email wappinglcc@gmail.com to find out more about the women’s side of the club and wappingmcc@gmail.com to find our more about the men’s teams in the club. Secondly, if you are new to Wapping join the newbies whatsapp group here. The final group to join is this group, which will contain a weekly bulletin of key Wapping information.
5. Get ready for the start of season social
To celebrate the start of the season, there will be a social at The Moretown Belle this Saturday. Wapping has an area reserved from 6pm but head over with your team any time after your match is finished and you’ve also finished supporting other wapping teams. A reminder to let the bar staff know you are part of Wapping every time you order a drink so that you can receive a discount on your drinks and earn some kickback for the club.
6. Sign up for the Ladies (only) Day social
If you are part of the Ladies’ side of the club, this is your last chance to sign up to the Ladies’ day social. Please message your captain if interested in joining us as we head out after our matches next Saturday 30th for a big girls night out sponsored by El Tab!
Apologies if our previous correspondence unclear. This is a ladies only social (men are, of course, welcome to head over to LV to support the ladies 1s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s v 7s throughout the day).
7. Sign up to umpire
If you have an umpiring qualification of any kind, or are interested in becoming an umpire please email our ULO Jane (wappingulo@gmail.com). We can’t play hockey without our great pool of umpires across the club PLUS you can earn £15 (and pay off a couple of pints) for every match you umpire.
8. Volunteer as a Kidds coach
Wapping has a thriving Kidds section and as it grows we are in need of more Kidds coaches and assistants. All are welcome, whatever your level and experience in hockey and coaching. If you are interested in being involved please do get in touch with our Kidds coordinator Miranda (wappingkidds@gmail.com).
9. Follow us on instagram!
Make sure you follow the club on instagram @wappinghc for fun posts and to be kept up to date on what is happening across the club. We’re super close to 2000 followers, so please do follow, like and share as it will widen the reach of the club, improve recruitment and bring about more opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships. Also make sure to follow your team’s instagram and to tag the club in your hockey posts.
10. Get ready for big wins this weekend
Teams across the club are pushing for promotion this season so make sure you get your pre-match night routine sorted (face masks, Grey’s Anatomy, big pasta bake etc.) to help your team get a big win on Saturday. Additionally, please do stick around after your matches this weekend to cheer other teams on in their first games of the season.
Fixtures this week
Lee Valley
M3 v Hampstead & Westminster 4 @10:00 (pitch 2)
L4 v Wanderers 5 @10:00 (pitch 1)
M2 v Brom Becks 2 @11:30 (pitch 2)
L2 v Hampstead and Westminster 4 @13:00 (pitch 1)
M4 v West Hampstead 4 @14:30 (pitch 1)
L3 v East London 2 @17:30 (pitch 2 - away)
John Orwell
L7 v Wayfarers Wolves @11:10
M5 v Spencer Titans @12:30
M8 v Kings & Alleyns 3 @14:00
M7 v Kings & Alleyns 2 @15:30
Away
M10 v London Royals 3 @11:00
L6 v Richmond 5 @11:30
L5 v Tulse Hill & Dulwich 5 @12:30
M6 v Spencer 6 @13:00
L1 v Wanderers 1 @13:30
M1 v Purley Walcountians 1 @14:00
M9 v Tulse Hill & Dulwich 6 @15:30
A FINAL note from the chair
The last two weekends have been breathtaking and I want to share a huge thanks to everyone involved in making them a success. The unwavering energy and good vibes that go into organising events like these is something very special, and the absolute dedication of our press team, capturing shot after shot of smiling faces, was the hangover tonic I think we all needed this week.
As a transient London based club we get more new joiners each September than most, so to feel at the end of Club Day that we’re already one big family is nothing short of incredible.
Helping run a club with so many brilliant and lovely people makes me feel v emosh, so a big hug to you all. I really don’t think there’s another club like Wapping.
Now let’s win all the leagues! Rogers x
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