Happy New Year!
And just like that it’s 2024 and we’re half way through the season. A big congratulations to the L1s and L7s, who sit top of their leagues and have won 10/10 and 8/9 respectively, with multiple other teams not far behind in their pushes for promotion.
Before we start again, here’s a couple of action points, a few thanks, some reflections from the committee, and a note on where our Chair will be focusing efforts in 2024.
Action points
If you have any feedback/suggestions for next season please let someone on the Exec know before our 24/25 planning session on the 1st of Feb. We can only change things we know about so all feedback will help us help you.
Continue showing love for your umpires. As well as unequivocal in game respect, please remember to welcome them when they arrive, offer them a drink, and include them at teas. Often they will have travelled a significant way or given up their own post-game fun to ensure your match can be played.
If you have a medical issue please ensure someone on your team knows (ideally your captain) so they can provide appropriate help if required.
Thank yous
Firstly, a massive thanks from our alumni for all your support when we lost Wonders in November. Wonders was a huge personality and in honour of everything she brought to Wapping we’re introducing a personality of the year award at this year’s end of season, ‘The Wapping Wonder’.
Secondly, a big thanks from Kidds to everyone who’s helping out including the 2s and 3s whose support at the Friday night sessions has been brilliant. The youth section is going from strength to strength and being able to support and inspire our young players together is something really special.
Finally, a massive thanks from us to you. This half season has been wildly better than last year’s in almost every way, and that is solely down to you all. Having oversight on the many conversations happening constantly across the club really highlights how brilliant people at Wapping are.
Committee Reflections
OFFICIATING:
Thanks to the amazing Jane we’ve filled every umpire slot this half season but, as ever, having more umpires would make everything easier. For the second half of the season we’re changing how we manage umpires, with teams being allocated slots they’ll need to fill, so if you haven’t already, make sure you take the online Level 1 Umpire course over the break so you can support your team with this.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all our umpires for their support and all those who have encouraged umpires old and new this season. The London League are short of umpires currently and without people from the club willing to officiate we simply wouldn’t be allowed to compete.
If anyone is considering trying umpiring - this is your year - as we have three incredible umpire Development Officers who want to help so do reach out to them. We also have a number of new umpires this season, including some fabulous women, who would be happy to talk with anyone who’s interested.
SPONSORSHIP:
Following an overhaul of our sponsorships this season we were pleased to onboard loads of new sponsors. Before the season began Chambers Timber kindly donated the materials for the storeroom renovation and Simon Wright Jewellery renewed his position as the go-to man for all Wapping engagements.
Salmon Hockey has joined us as sponsor of the Dev Squad and is providing carbon sticks and shin pads at hugely discounted rates over at the Wapping Shop. NuSmile Dentists became L3 sponsors and are offering a mega 20% off all their treatments, a possible saving of hundreds of pounds if anyone you know is looking for Invisalign or whitening. They also do general dentistry so a good chance to get a check up at a similar price to the NHS.
The M3 brewed their "DoD beer" at Tap East which will be available in the New Year: Wapping members get 10% off everything in the bar. Finally, the mighty Feeney's Irish Pub came on board to sponsor the L5, stay tuned in the new year for news of their new venue.
We are now looking towards CAWHL sponsorships, if you know of anyone who may be keen to get involved, please do email wappingsponsorship@gmail.com
COMMUNITY:
We're thrilled by the fantastic start to this season, witnessing the club grow stronger with each passing week. From a community perspective, we've recently welcomed Emma Thorne to the welfare team, representing the ladies' side of the club. Emma is doing a stellar job, contributing content to ensure Wapping remains an outstanding club for all members. Expect more exciting updates from the welfare team in January! For any welfare-related concerns or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact us at wappinghcwelfare@gmail.com or utilise the form.
CAWHL Summer League Update: Calling all volunteers! We're looking to make this year's Summer League bigger and better than ever. If you're interested in contributing or wish to learn more about available roles, please reach out to us at wappingvcc@gmail.com.
Whitechapel Clothes Donation: Thanks to those who have already donated! You can continue to drop off your contributions at either the LV reception or JO Store cupboard. We're extending the closing date into the new year to accommodate more donations.
If you have any suggestions or ideas to enhance our community initiatives, please get in touch! Your input is invaluable in shaping our community outreach.
Areas of Focus for 2024
Being blessed with a hugely dedicated committee means it’s full steam ahead across all areas of the club at all times, but as Chair there are two areas I’ll be championing for the remainder of the season.
Continued momentum for Kidds. We’re creating more formal alignment structures with the adult side of the club and there’s been a lot of work with the newly formed Kidds’ committee to support operations. Thanks to an incredible bunch of coaches the talent being fostered is unreal and to bolster that we’re considering appointing a new Kidds Head Coach to help pull the areas together and support growth.
Support for the 2s. Despite plenty of hard work, and some very promising games, the results for our 2nd teams haven’t fallen in their favour. And, in order to attract, maintain, and transition players at the club, it’s important we maintain divisional closeness between our top teams. As such, I urge everyone to support our 2s in any way they can, whether that be flagging players that could be playing higher, or cheering them on from the sidelines on a Saturday.
Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy 2024 - Rogers x
tips to prep for 2024 hockey!
Set a fun New Year’s Resolution: think big, why not resolve to score a hattrick in every hockey game you play in
Dive into the sales: if the above fails why not treat yourself in the boxing day sales
Analyse: if you’re sick of festive films and your team has used the club’s VEO camera, relive the highs of the first half of the season from the comfort of your sofa
Try and get off the sofa: try and at least do some light exercise inbetween the leftover mince pies and yorkshire puddings…
Social media never sleeps
Whilst hockey rests for some a little longer, please do continue to post on your team social media and like and save posts on the main @wappinghc instagram account. The engagement is making a real difference to the club in attracting players and sponsors. So drop us some likes or even a cheeky comment over the break xoxo
Results update:
Fixtures this week:
Member discounts:
Check out our Members' area (Password: whc1989) which has all of our available offers, including:
20% off NuSmile dentists
A free Psycle session
Grubby: 50% off + free delivery on 1st box, plus 30% off for the rest of the month
2 weeks free trial of El Tab app giving members 4 free drinks in London nightly
20% off Sharp Movement
10% off all beers at Tap East
Discounted club trip to Leyton Orient on February 13th 2024
