TRR members may remember that Three Rock Rovers member, barman and all round handyman Don Gray has been over in Germany for the past weeks and couple of months alongside his son Logan and wife Ariane.

They have been over in Germany as poor Logan was diagnosed with a brain tumour a few months ago and they had to go Germany for a 9 week course of Proton Radiotherapy after an initial operation to remove the actually tumour in Temple Street.

They have been over in Germany for the past number of weeks and there has been a GoFundMe, set up by their family ad friends, on going to help with costs: GoFundMe

In the most recent update on Logan’s journey he had his LAST session yesterday and has officially completed his round of Proton Radiotherapy!

All at Rovers would like to pass on our congratulations to Logan for being such a champion these past number of weeks and getting to ring the bell!
All TRR members would like to extend our continued support to Don, Ariane and Logan as they begin the next stage of their journey when they return to Ireland on Sunday!

FIXURES

Season’s Fixtures
The Men’s fixtures, have been published on the Leinster Hockey website and can be found here: FIXTURES
They are also on the Club website on each team’s fixture section.

When the Ladies fixtures are published you will be able to view them by following the same link above and on the Website soon after.

September 12th, 2020
The Ladies 1s continue their pre-season with a friendly against Genesis at 11am at Grange Road. There is a Ladies selection match also at Grange road between 3pm & 5pm on the front pitch.

While on the men’s side, the Men’s 1s have a friendly against Pembroke at 1pm, Back Pitch at the same time the Men’s 2s are playing Rathgar at 1pm in a friendly on the Front Pitch. The Men’s 5s are playing Weston at 3pm on the Back Pitch after the Men’s 1s.

Irish Cups 2020/2021
Hockey Ireland made the Irish Cup draws for the 2020/2021 season yesterday and all Rovers sides have been drawn away to their respective opponents this time round. In the Irish Senior Cup, the Men’s 1s have been drawn away to Cookstown, game to be played October 14th , 2020.

The Men’s 2s have been drawn away to UCC in the Irish Junior Cup with that match pencilled in for November 7th, 2020 in the Mardyke. While the Ladies 1s will travel to Ashton Hockey Club in Round 2 of the Irish Hockey Trophy on the 14th of November 2020.

EHL
The Men’s 1s have been reinstated as the Irish number one European seed for the coming season and will therefore be representing the Club and Ireland in the EHL KO16 next Easter, all going well that is. Further details will be published once we know them.

Rovers Representing
19-20 Irish Finals & Europeans 2021
Congratulations to Ali Keogh on her selection as an umpire for the rearranged 19/20 Women’s Irish Senior Cup Final between Pegasus and UCD in Belfield on the 20th of September!

Ali has also been selected for the EuroHockey Championships to be held between the 4th and the 13th of June 2021 in Amsterdam, everyone at Three Rock congratulates her on another wonderful appointment and recognition of the hard work she has put in over many years!

20-21 InterPros
Congrats to Rex Dunlop, Darragh Sullivan, Ben Ryder, Conor Walsh & Ben Whelan on their selection for the Boys U18s!

Their hard work and dedication over the years is being rewarded alongside the support from their coaches over the years!

All at Grange Road wish you and Leinster Hockey Association the best of luck in October at the InterPros!

Full details and schedule can be found here: 2020/2021 InterPros

2020/2021 Welcome
Welcome to the 2020/2021 season at Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club. It might be strange times ahead due to Covid-19, however, trojan work, by many people, has been done to make Grange Road ready to provide the hockey experience we have all come to know!

Pre-Season for the Senior sides has been going successfully for the past few weeks and the Juniors are entering their third weekend back of their 20/21 season. The Club’s Covid Supervisors in conjunction with Peter Hinds, the Covid Officer, have ensured that it has been a safe and enjoyable return to hockey at Grange Road for all!

2020/2021 Subs
The Subs link is now live, and 2020/2021 Subs are NOW DUE. The cut off date is OCTOBER 1st, 2020. You must have paid in full or at least 1 installment, an option with Senior and Student subs.

1. If you have not paid in any way by the cut off date you will not play as you will not insured.
2. If you are paying a Student sub you must have a valid Student card available to view upon request.
3. Subscriptions are a vital source of income at the start of any season, even more so now due to the current environment that the club is operating in.
You can pay your Subs HERE: PAY SUBS NOW

You can see the full Subs price list below:

• Full Senior Membership €385.00
• Full Senior Membership (50% Payment 1) €215.00
• Full Senior Membership (50% Payment 2) €215.00
• Student Membership €230.00
• Student Membership (50% Payment 1) €115.00
• Student Membership (50% Payment 2) €115.00
• Three Rock Rockets €50.00
• Schoolboy/Schoolgirl (Under 16) €190.00
• Schoolboy/Schoolgirl (Under 14) €190.00
• Schoolboy/Schoolgirl (Under 12) €170.00
• Schoolboy/Schoolgirl (Under 10) €170.00
• Schoolboy/Schoolgirl (Under 8) €170.00
• Men’s Veteran Membership €295.00
• Women’s Veteran Membership €155.00
• Pavilion Membership €50.00

If you have any queries about your Sub/s, please email your respective Section coordinator.

• Peter Hinds: mens.captain@threerockrovershc.com
• Jess Rule: ladies.captain@threerockrovershc.com
• Chris Steele: youths@threerockrovershc.com

Training Times
The training times for the coming season are as follows:

Men’s 1s: 19:00 – 21:00, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Front Pitch
Men’s 2s: 19:30 – 21:00, Thursday, Front Pitch
Men’s 3-6s: 19:30 – 21:00, Tuesdays, Back Pitch (Until end of September), 19:00 – 20:30, Front Pitch (October on)

Ladies 1s: 19:30 – 20:30, Mondays & 20:30 – 22:00, Wednesdays, Front Pitch
Ladies 2-3s: 20:30 – 22:00, Mondays & 19:00 – 20:30, Wednesdays, Front Pitch

Clubhouse & Grounds
A reminder that due to current restrictions imposed by Hockey Ireland and Government regulations, numbers are restricted, and you must only enter Grange Road if you are taking part in an arranged session.

If you are a parent picking up a child/ren you must stay in your car unless you are a Covid Supervisor, Coach, team liaison, etc.

A few training session reminders:

1. You must have filled out a health declaration form ahead of participating in a session, this must be filled out at least 2 hours BEFORE the start of the planned session by *all participants.
i.e. it must be filled out by 5.30pm at the latest if the session starts at 7.30pm

*this includes umpires, team managers, physios, etc. not just playing members.

2. Bring only minimal possessions for your training session

3. Do not linger after the session

4. Arrive no earlier than 10/15 minutes before the pre-arranged time.

5. Travel to the session individually as much as possible

6. Do not use dugouts, or touch any equipment unnecessarily

You can find the Club’s full Covid Protocol here: COVID-19 Club Protocols

Summer Camps @TRRHC
Our summer camps are up and running. There are still some places available in our August camps. Tuesday 4th – Friday 7th, Monday 10th – Friday 14th and Monday 17th – Friday 21st. We are running 2 sessions per week 10:00-1:00 and 2:00-5:00. For more information please contact threerockroverscamps@gmail.com

Big Thanks from Logan
Don Gray has kindly sent the photos above, of Logan with his new hockey stick, a gift from all at TRRHC.
Don, Ariane, and Logan, are also very appreciative of the generous response to their Go Fund me page, and for anyone who would still like to contribute to the fund, the link is attached below. Logan is travelling to Germany for the next stage of his treatment following his recent surgery, and our thoughts and best wishes are with the family.

We are delighted to announce our new Ladies 1sts coaching team for the coming season, Dave McGivern and Stephen O’Keefe. Dave and Stephen hoping to see all ladies members (aged 15+) at preseason starting on Monday July 27th 7:30-9:00 for more information please contact ladies.captain@threerockrovershc.com

David is a qualified primary school teacher and has been working full time in hockey for the past 5 years. He has previously held Head Coach roles with Railway Union Ladies 1s and 2s, Clontarf Ladies 1s and South East U18 girls and was Head of Junior Girl’s Hockey in Railway Union for the past 4 years.

He is currently employed as Head of Hockey in St Kilians School in addition to coaching and performance analysis roles with the Leinster U16 and Irish U18 girls. He is looking forward to getting started with preseason and building a squad capable of challenging for promotion to Division 1 and pushing onwards toward EYHL 2.

A key part of this will be the integration of players coming through the club’s Junior section into the Senior club and he will be working alongside the U16s coaches to this end.

Stephen is also a teacher working and coaching in Muckross. He has previously worked with Dave as assistant coach in Railway and Clontarf. He is also an experienced GK coach working with the Leinster GK development program, the U16/U18 girls and boys and the Irish U16 girls and boys.

All at Rovers wish David, Stephen and the Ladies 1s all the best for the coming season and look forward to seeing them out on the pitch!

In line with Hockey Ireland’s return to play protocols, link below, the club have implemented the following Covid-19 protocols as part of the reopening of the club over the coming weeks.

These protocols will be enforced and can only be successful if all members, players and supporters abide by them.

We want a safe and successful return to the game of Hockey that we all enjoy for multiple reasons, however, that can only happen if we all work together.

Please support Peter Hinds, our Covid-19 officer and his team of volunteers in the coming weeks and months, who have given up their time so that you can return to play Hockey.

The protocols are as follows:

COVID 19 – CLUB PROTOCOLS

• All bookings/sessions must be pre-booked. (As per Hockey Ireland directive, and Covid 19 contact tracing requirements). Only players and coaches with booked in sessions or trainings can enter the club.
• A Covid supervisor/officer MUST be present for every session or booking
• Covid supervisors/officers cannot play or coach while on duty
• Covid supervisors/officers must be familiar with government directives, and up to date protocols and guidelines from Hockey Ireland, LHA, FIH. MORE INFO
• Covid supervisors/officers must be easily identifiable, eg. wearing a hi-vis vest.
• A health declaration must be completed no greater than 2 hours before arrival. Any change in health status following the declaration must be notified.
• Any person feeling unwell must not attend the club (as Covid 19 symptoms are not limited to cough/fever/shortness of breath).
• A record of attendance MUST be kept, stating names/contact details/times of each person present. This record must then be submitted within 24 hours to the club Covid Officer, Peter Hinds.covid.officer@threerockrovershc.com
• All players must arrive already wearing kit, and leave without changing afterwards.
• Numbers on the pitch must be in line with H.I. guidelines at the time.
• The use of bibs is not allowed until further notice, or of any shared equipment.
• Goals must not be moved or touched. If it becomes necessary to touch or move them, they must be cleaned with disinfectant before and after moving.
• Hands must be sanitized before and after play. Please bring your own sanitizer.
• Spectators are not allowed until further notice.
• Parents waiting to collect children must remain in their cars unless they are managing a team, or have some other role such as Covid supervisor. (As for Covid tracing purposes, the club must have names and contact details for any person on site, plus dates and times of visits).
• The use of dugouts and changing rooms is not allowed until further notice.
• Players/coaches etc. must only arrive within 10 minutes prior to pitch slots, and leave promptly afterwards.
• Only minimal personal belongings should be brought to the club, kept separate from others, and removed when leaving.
• All rubbish should be removed and taken home afterwards, NOT placed in bins in the club

.

Peter can be contacted at covid.officer@threerockrovershc.com if you have any queries about the policy and procedures that we are implementing or would like to volunteer some of your time to help Peter in his role and the Club during theses unprecedented times. Full details can be found on the website: Covid-19 Officer & Protocols

PROTOCOLS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN LINE WITH CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES AND H.I. AND FIH GUIDELINES.

Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club member Donald Randal Gray son was diagnosed with tumor in the past few months, which was successfully removed, however, the road to recovery is a long one for this little man.

Don has always been so willing to help the club out in anyway, playing 2-3 games on a weekend for the men’s sides, running the Bar for event/s, umpiring matches and helping to maintain the grounds and clubhouse to the high standards that he sets all the time.

It is only right for all of us at Three Rock Rovers to return the favour and we are fully behind Don, his little boy Logan and his wife Ariane, as they go through this hard time!

Below is a link to a GoFundMe Fundraising that Don’s friends and family have set up to help with expenses during this time.

SUPPORT LOGAN HERE

Any and all donations will help the little lad on his road to recovery and all at Grange Road will support Don and his family during this time!

Dear Member,

We will all have our personal stories of how we managed THE PANDEMIC. We have all had to find new ways of living and working. The effects of Lockdown have been felt throughout the country. Many have been severely impacted. We are all “war-weary” but I hope you and your families have stayed safe and well. As restrictions lift, we are cautiously planning how to re-open The Club-for our core activity since 1893- PLAYING HOCKEY!

Our aim is to gradually restart as specified by the FIH, Hockey Ireland, and SDCC. The Club
Captains will be communicating this to you in greater detail as we go through the phases.
Lockdown came abruptly, leaving some Teams with League schedules unfinished, still
contenders in Cups and so on. However, behind closed doors, Our Club has been busy.

A huge amount of work and planning has been undertaken led by our Club Captains, Club Manager, Groundsmen, key office-holders, Committee members and Volunteers – working remotely or observing social distancing.

Our groundsmen have continued to maintain our pitches as normal, which leaves us ready and compliant with FIH directives for preparing pitches for use after the lockdown. We will also fully comply with the criteria as set out by Hockey Ireland for a safe return to hockey. While this will place restrictions and extra work on many members and volunteers, plus additional expense for the club, the safety of everyone is our priority.

Work has commenced on the replacement of our team dugouts and TD shelters, with
assistance from Sports Capital Grant funding that was awarded to the club during the 2018
grant scheme. Other works have also been completed during the lockdown, and essential
maintenance has been carried out.

The 2020-2021 season will be a challenge for the club in many ways. There will have to be new ways of doing things that will take some getting used to. Financially, we have achieved a lot over the past few years, and plans were made for the coming years. Plans that included the replacement of the front pitch. The full impact of the losses and costs of the Covid-19 crisis can’t be estimated at this time, but with the support of members and volunteers we will all work together with a view towards getting back on track as soon as we can.

I am confident that with the support and goodwill of all stakeholders in this great Club we can come through this period stronger and better. As we return please all keep in close contact with Club News and each other. Make life as easy as possible for everyone. Be thoughtful, kind and understanding and look to be helpful. Minding our facilities and equipment, thanking our Volunteers, Coaches, Managers and Officers -who are the oil in our Club Engine-even completing forms correctly and paying your correct subscription promptly will help.

I look forward to seeing you all again in TRR, and please bear with the Administration Team
over the coming weeks until the directives are fully known, and we can have our compliance systems in place.

As soon as we have further information, we will update you all.

Best wishes,
Cedric Christie
Club President

Hockey Ireland return to play protocols

Once government plans for a phased reopening were announced, a Covid 19 committee was put together, chaired by our Ladies Captain, Louise Callan, and including current captains, incoming captains, club manager, treasurer, and a representative of the junior section. The purpose of this committee was to plan towards the eventual reopening of the club from the perspective of both club members and outside stakeholders, and also taking into consideration the severe financial repercussions of the Covid 19 lockdown on club finances.

The Covid 19 committee are working hard to put in place protocols recommended by Hockey Ireland, FIH, Sport Ireland and the government. In order to do our part and minimise the risk of the virus spreading we ask you all to help us as we return to hockey.

Peter Hinds, incoming Mens Captain for the 2020/2021 season, has kindly volunteered to fill the role of Covid-19 officer. We are obliged to appoint a Covid-19 officer as part of the criteria for reopening. It would be very much appreciated if all members could support Peter in this role.

We need volunteers to take on the roles of Deputy Covid-19 officers, one for each team, as a Covid-19 officer MUST be present at all times while the facilities are in use. It isn’t practical or feasible for one person to be on site at all times, so before returning to hockey it will be necessary for each team to have a designated Covid-19 officer who can liaise with Peter during the season.

MEMBERS/PAVILION MEMBERS/PARENTS/MANAGERS/CAPTAINS/COACHES, AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS ARE ALL ELIGIBLE TO FILL THESE ROLES. PLEASE HELP OUT IF YOU CAN.

Once we have the details finalized, we will send out updates which will include Peter’s
dedicated email address (above) for any Covid related matters. As soon as you receive that update, please forward your name and contact details to Peter, letting him know which group or team you will be representing as a Covid officer.

• In line with Hockey Ireland protocols and current Government travel restrictions members can pre-book summer hockey slots for groups of 15 or less. All participants

must be members of TRRHC.

• All groups will be asked to complete a booking form with the names of all members in attendance so that we can comply with Covid 19 contact tracing.
• A contribution to the club of €45 for 1.5 hours – will be required. This is due to both the club having had no income for several months and facing a tough financial year, and to the extra preparations and protocols that now have to go into place when anybody enters the facilities.
• Contact the club manager to check for available slots club.manager@threerockrovershc.com

In line with Hockey Ireland return to play protocols, showers cannot be used. We have arranged to have our shower facilities chemically flushed out to avoid potential contamination with bio films during the lockdown, as outlined in the FIH document.

This will be done closer to the time when the use of showers is again allowed. So please bear with us for now and don’t turn on shower heads.

Toilets are not meant to be used, but if necessary, only one at a time. If using toilet facilities;

• PLEASE WASH HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS USING THE SOAP PROVIDED IN EACH TOILET AREA,
• DRY HANDS, AND USE HAND SANITIZER PROVIDED AT CHANGING ROOM ENTRANCE AREAS.
• (HAND SANITIZER IS NOT EFFECTIVE IF HANDS ARE SOILED, HAND WASHING REMAINS THE SAFEST METHOD).

During the lockdown, Bernie (club manager) has been working on updating the pavilion
membership database. Many contact details are now obsolete, and some members were not receiving notifications of events etc. If you have not received a call or email from Bernie in relation to confirming contact details, and if you are a pavilion member and wish to be included on future notifications, please get in touch now by emailing club.manager@threerockrovershc.com or by phoning 087 6575297.

The gates were locked, but work went on behind closed doors, as can be seen from the
attached photos.

1. Dugouts. The team dugouts and TD shelters on both pitches have been removed. They

will be replaced by new dugouts and shelters that have been purchased with assistancefrom the Sports Capital Grant Scheme 2018 . While current protocols prohibit the use ofdugouts, we have proceeded in the hope that we will have the new shelters installed bymid-August and ready for the new season.

2. Don Gray, and his assistants, have done tremendous work in clearing the ivy from the

wall behind the video tower.

3. Don and his assistants have also finished painting the clubhouse upstairs toilets.
4. Many thanks to Sam Cogan and Scott Williams for donating their skills during the lockdown to help with a tech issue.
5. Thanks are also due to Arul, who helped the groundsmen to clear some neglected areas in the club where rubbish had built up over the years, (see article photo).
6. Our loyal and dedicated groundsmen, JJ and Sylvie, worked during the lockdown to maintain our pitches so that they would be safe for our return. Their commitment to their roles has enabled us to avoid any extra and costly preparation for reopening. Our pitches have been sprayed for moss and algae, and also regularly watered and maintained.
7. Pitch Cleaning. The annual deep pitch cleaning was completed on both pitches recently by Pattersons (see article photo).
8. Unfortunately, as per the guidelines, we will be unable to open our bar and clubhouse facilities for the foreseeable future. During the lockdown, each brewery sent staff to clean our lines and to uplift unsold kegs. Our bar had to be safely closed, and stock sell by dates checked.
9. Our summer camps which are being run as a club fundraiser are starting on Monday 22nd June. They have been really well supported by TRR members!

Olly MConnell, son of Peter McConnell and Sue Gray, has taken on his 100 KM cycle challenge during the month of June to help raise much needed funds for Enable Ireland. Best of Luck Olly!!!

If you would like to help Olly, please click on the link below.

SUPPORT OLLY HERE

You can also support Enable Ireland by using the clothing bank located in the front car park.

Hockey Ireland Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE No. 6 regarding Return to Hockey Protocol
5 June 2020

Following the announcements by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland on the return to sport the following plan has been developed by Hockey Ireland to provide a step by step process for a return to Hockey.

Step 1 – Get Ready:

High Performance:

Members of the Senior Men and Senior Women who are under the ‘carding’ scheme for elite athletes. Training will resume when possible, under the particular protocols that apply to the various training facilities that are used.

Club Activities:

Hockey Ireland and the Branches will finalise the protocols for hockey activity and obtain the necessary approval for a return to hockey activity for all. Communication to the Clubs with regards to these protocols will be issued when they are finalised.

Clubs are asked to begin preparations regarding the appointment of COVID-19 Club Compliance Officers.

Clubs should also begin to assess operational issues such as access to the pitch, pitch maintenance and special re-commission procedures. The FIH has issued guidance documents that will be helpful in developing our protocols. These will be especially helpful for clubs and schools is the guidance regarding the special maintenance and development of a re-commissioning plan. The document is called ‘start to plan for when hockey fields reopen’ and can be found here: http://www.fih.ch/media/13350090/start-to-plan-now-for-when-your-hockey-field-reopens.pdf

Step 2 – Limited Activity:

High Performance:

Return to the pitch training under specific arrangements will be outlined by the Hockey Ireland High Performance Department.

Club Activities:

Clubs can start reduced activities and skill training in instances where the club can comply with the Hockey Ireland issued protocols and Government regulations.

Hockey Ireland does not envisage the start of Step 2 until the clubs in all four provinces can resume activities under Government Regulations.

In Step 2 the following will apply:

• Clubs should ensure that the travel distance restrictions under Government Regulations are enforced.
• Activities will only be allowed for small groups as outlined in the Hockey Ireland protocol which will be issued to Clubs.
• Social distancing rules should be adhered to at all times.
• Hockey activities will be limited to outdoor activity only.
• Clubs should have a mechanism for contact tracing participants. i.e. a booking system, log etc.
• Individuals who are unwell should not participate in their sport.
• Clubs should appoint COVID-19 officers and are advised to apply checklists for their club activity to ensure consistent compliance with Hockey Ireland protocols.
• Caution is advised for those who intend to engage in high intensity training following a recovery from COVID-19. Individuals should seek medical advice prior to a return to training.
• Club House and toilet/changing room facilities should remain closed. If closure is not possible, participants should monitor facility usage ensuring a 1-in-1-out approach is adopted.
• Competition is not allowed in Steps 1 and 2.
• Additional consideration needs to be given to participants in vulnerable groups – elderly, underlying medical issues etc.

Step 3 – Competition

A return to competition will only take place when it is permitted by authorities, with specific protocols and guidelines to be applied, which will be issued when information becomes available.

General points:

Hockey Ireland requires that clubs only activate a return with an appropriate COVID-19 Club Safety plan in place.

Hockey Ireland’s guidance will at all times be superseded by:

• Government of Ireland’s Roadmap to Re-open Society & Business
• Northern Ireland Executive’s Coronavirus Recovery Plan
• Government of Ireland’s Return to Sport Expert Group & Sport Northern Ireland Framework for Return to Sport.

Hockey Ireland will continue to monitor the dates and timelines for a return to play as appropriate, in line with the advice and guidance of the Government and Sporting Authorities. Our current restrictions and arrangements remain under constant review and may change as guidance changes

The Board of Hockey Ireland still firmly hopes to be able to return to Hockey competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance.

Hi All,

We’d like to keep you up to date with how things are panning out for the club as we all work through the COVID lockdown and more importantly the easing of restrictions.

At time of writing the government has laid out rough guidelines on the easing of restrictions but there’s still a lot that needs to be clarified. Hockey Ireland has submitted their proposals to Sport Ireland on how they plan to adjust to things and they are awaiting a response on that. The following points will depend heavily on what Hockey Ireland decides after they get that response back but here’s how things stand:

Unfortunately hockey is not listed as one of the phase 1 sports (phase 1 started on 18th May) so nobody can use the club at the moment, not even in groups of 4 or less.

Please bear with us for now, we’ll get in touch as soon as we have more information about dates ourselves.

We know that a lot of you will be champing at the bit to get back onto the pitch as soon as possible but we’d ask you to please stick to what has been outlined above, for your own safety but more importantly for Solo, Arul and the girls who’s home is the club plus the groundsmen, cleaners, and other staff. We will also have to put safety measures in place prior to opening, such as wall mounted hand sanitising facilities, and other measures depending on the criteria for opening which isn’t yet defined.

We’ll be in touch again, and we hope to see you all again soon, maybe even for some social summer hockey in phase 4!