Our u16 boys put on a great display against Monkstown on Sunday to finish out their season.

Despite losing 5-1 to the Town only a matter of weeks ago, the boys were unlucky not to be ahead at half time with only some great saves by the oppositions keeper keeping them out.

It was a tense, end to end game and our own keeper Stephen Dawson played equally as well to deny Monkstowns many youth internationals. Ben McCrea was solid at the back, while James Walker and Nacho linked well with the forward including Freddie Morris.

Unfortunately they couldn’t convert their chances and were out done by a one goal margin. Well done to all for a great end to the season!

Congratulations to club members Maura O’Neill and Mairead Lyons on their recent success at the Masters inter pros!! Maura and Mairead both ran out winners in the over45s and over 40s competitions respectively. In a great weekend with the club and against some stiff competition they saw off both Munster and Ulster to claim the title. Ross Canning was also involved as the successful coach of the over 45s!

On the mens side well done also to Roly Budd who claimed the title with Leinsters over 40s in his debut at this level! William Haughton played for the over 50s but were pipped to the post by Ulster.

More details from the weekend can be found on the Hook
http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2013/04/leinster-annex-three-masters-interpro-titles

Congratulations also to ladies 1sts players Julie Garvey and Claire Fitzpatrick on their call up to the Leinster Junior inter pro squad. Julie will also captain the side which will play in rovers this weekend. The schedule can be found at https://www.hockey.ie/contentPage/133851/schedule
Best of luck girls!

Most of you will have received a copy of the accounts and financial statement prior to the AGM. (If not please contact Ali Keogh at alisonfkeogh@gmail.com).

As part of this the officers of the club highlighted the need to change certain structures within the club so that we can both sweat the assets but continue to grow our hockey.

Two years ago the council was established to deal with the long term continuity of the club to allow committee members deal with the day to day running. After two years we have seen the need to tweak the remit of the council even more. The longevity of the club relies on maintaining income streams so that we can continue to provide the facilities we do, while having the funds the replace them when necessary. To effectively do this therefore we have agreed that the council, in conjunction with our new club manager will be responsible for the running of the complex as a whole, while the committee will now only focus on the growth and development of hockey.

Our council members sit for up to 5 years and are replaced intermittently rather than all at once. They therefore have the continuity that the committee lacks. Each council member will be responsible for a certain area eg finance, pitches, bar etc. The new club manager will then liaise with the relevant person regarding each area. The primary role of the new club manager will be to generate revenue for the complex through pitch rental, clubhouse rental, advertising etc. they will also be responsible for pitch bookings.

The flip side of this for the committee and the hockey club is that it frees all committee members, but in particular the club captains, to focus on the hockey side of things. The only source of income for the committee in its accounts will be subscriptions and fundraising. Costs for committee will also only relate to hockey ie coaching wages, equipment, affiliation fees, and direct costs relating to pitch usage. As a member your sub will only be used to pay for hockey, it will not go into the maintenance of the clubhouse, admin wages etc. However, by limiting the committees income we are relying on our members to fundraise any deficit that may exist within the committees budget. Each year the club captains will draw up a development plan of costs that will highlight what the fundraising target needs to be. This will be clearly outlined at the start at each season.

Both council and committee believe that this new structure is the best way forward for the club. It is our hope that the continuity of the council will allow for focus to increase revenue, while freeing up committee to focus purely on hockey will allow greater value for membership and the potential to market for new members.

Ultimately the goal of the club is to replace the front pitch and watering system in 3 years. Should we begin to generate increased revenue, hopefully the back pitch will not be far behind.

The club welcomed its new club Captains and President officially into office at the recent AGM

Huge congratulations to Ailish Kennedy as she takes on the role of President for the next two years as she follows on from David Strahan. The club would like to thank David for all his efforts and commitment to the role. He has overseen the running of the first council of the club and has done vast amounts of work behind the scene. We wish Ailish every success as she takes over.

David Haughton steps down from council after doing more than his fair share of work for the past number of years. We thank him for everything he has done. All other council members were re-elected, along with the past captains.

Your council for 2013/2014 will therefore be as follows:
Ailish Kennedy – President
David Mc Farlane
Tony Nicholson
Geoff Brooks
Kara Browning
Orla McKeown
Rob Johnson
Ali Keogh

Congratulations also to Siobhan Madeley as she becomes Lady Captain, following on from Ali Keogh. Siobhan brings a wealth of experience with her from her role in the EHF and is already a very active member of the club. She has been working hard over the past few weeks to get things in place for next season and will inform teams of the set up once all is confirmed.

Having just said goodbye to our youngest Ladies Captain we now welcome in our youngest Men’s Captain! Stephen Findlater takes over from Rob Johnson. Not only is he the youngest but we think he sets the record for least amount of time between father and son as captains! (9 years). Stephens involvement in ye club and irish hockey is legendary and he too has already started working on next season!

All in all the club is in very good hands!! We wish the both the best of luck. Please do support them in what they do as they, along with all committee and council members have the clubs best interests at heart.

Other committee members to be re-elected were Simon Walker, Wendy Lee and Peter Mc Connell. Barbara Snow continues her excellent work as Club Secretary while Mandy Bools will follow Siobhan as she was elected Lady’s Vice Captain.

Your committee for 2013/2014 will therefore be as follows:
Stephen Findlater – men’s captain
Siobhan Madeley – ladies captain
Barbara Snow – club secretary
Mandy Bools
Simon Walker
Peter Mc Connell
Wendy Lee
Rob Johnson
Ali Keogh

The men’s 3rds had a roller coaster week as they secured promotion but were narrowly beaten by Corinthians in the intermediate cup.

They started the week in flying form beating Pembroke 10-3 on Tuesday night. Stuart Ronan and Sam Gilmore got hat-tricks, while Dylan Cullen also popped up to score two. It was a strong performance to earn their higher league position next year.

Buoyed by that game they went into the cup final on Saturday with a strong squad. Stephen Findlater, Ed Simpson and Richard King helped provide the experience for the more youthful players of Ruan McGuiness, Dylan Cullen, Stuart Ronan and the likes.

Unfortunately they went 2-0 down but bounced back when Stu Rigby Jones banged in two corners. The vocal crowd were then treated to extra time before the game ultimately went to strokes. Not even this could separate the teams as it then went to sudden death. In cruel fashion Stuart Ronans cracker hit off the post before Ed Simpson had initially looked to have saved Corinthian effort only for it to find its way over the line.

It was a great end to what has been a very successful season. Despite a somewhat false start the team has blended well and has a good mix of youth and experience. Hopefully they can build on this for next year!

Following an initial shaky start to the season the men’s 3rds are this week aiming for the league and cup double!

On Tuesday night they face Pembroke at home at 8pm with a win securing promotion. Following a 6-0 thrashing of Kilkenny last Sunday in the cup semi, they take on Corinthians 3rds on Saturday at 2pm in Pembroke in the final. All support would be hugely welcome. Player of the year Richard King will take on his brother in this match!!

There’s a great mix of experience and youth in this team and they’ve done fantastically to get this far. Please come and support what will hopefully be a successful week!

Last Friday over 50 of our players joined together for some mixed fun hokey followed by a BBQ to mark te end of the season. Despite some attempted match fixing by findos team, results were tight and it wasn’t clear who the winning captain would be. Ali then messed up the schedule so as it turns out there was no winner…it’s the taking part that counts anyway!

The captains challenge this year was based on the format of the successful rush hockey in England. Self umpired games were played on quarter pitches where the only rules were it can’t hit your foot, you cannot not the ball and you can score from anywhere. It ran very successfully and it was great to see alot of our u16s who will be senior club members next year joining in under the guidance of our 1st XI captains.

Before a long evenings festivities kicked off in the clubhouse, we introduced some player awards which we hope to extend next year. We had a most improved player of the year and a player of the year award for both the men’s and ladies sides. Hopefully we will host next years dinner at the end of the season where these awards will become more formal.

Congratulations this year to our players if the year Richard King and Mandy Bools and to our most improved players Johnny McCormack and Orla Heffernan!!

Members are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club will be held on Thursday 18th April 2012 at 7.30pm in the Clubhouse.

AGENDA
1. Minutes of the last Meeting.
2. Honorary Secretary’s Report.
3. Honorary Treasurer’s Report and Annual Accounts.
4. Accounts of the Joint Executive Committee.
5. Report of the Honorary Auditor.
6. Report of the Chairman of the Council
7. Election of
a) Officers, Council and Committee
b) Honorary Secretary (Records)
c) Honorary Auditor

8. Motions (see below)
9. Any other business.

Motions:
Subscriptions will remain as follows for the upcoming season, with the exception of a pavilion sub.

• Full Membership
If paid full or in part by 31st October 2013 – €375
If after 1st November 2013 – €420

• Student Membership
If paid in full or in part by 31st October 2013 – €210
If paid after 1st November 2013 – €210

• Junior membership
€140 for the season u18-u14
€120 for season u8-u12

• Vets membership
If paid full or in part by 31st October 2013 – €135 (women) €250 (men)
If after 1st November 2013 – €135 (women) €250 (men)

• Pavillion membership
€50 for the season.

2. The committee wish to pass a resolution to support the Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children’s Sport as outlined by the Irish Sports Council. We agree to adopt these practices in our running of the club.

Any matters to be raised at this meeting should be put in writing to the Honorary Secretary before April 11th 2013. These may be posted to the club or emailed to secretary@threerockrovershc.com

Barbara Snow
Honorary Secretary TRRHC

The Members of Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club are hereby notified that THE PLAYERS’ GENERAL MEETING
will be held in the Clubhouse on Thursday 18th April 2013 commencing at 7.00pm.

AGENDA

1. Minutes of the last Players’ General Meeting.
2. Reports from team captains on the results of the season.
3. Appointment of team captains for the coming season.
4. Report on youth hockey.
5. Any other business.

Any matters to be raised at the meeting should be put in writing to the Honorary Secretary before April 11th 2013. These may be posted to the club or emailed to secretary@threerockrovershc.com

Barbara Snow
Honorary Secretary TRRHC

As members will hopefully know TRR has been selected to host this year IHL finals on the May bank holiday weekend.

This is always a great event showcasing the top 4 mens and ladies club teams in the country. The schedule for games has not been finalized yet, but semi finals will be held on the Saturday and the finals on the Sunday.

We plan to hold a number of different events during the day, and more details on these will follow in the next few weeks.

What we know for certain is that we will require a big volunteer effort from club members. We will need help manning the gate, the carpark, liaising with teams, and other events which are in the pipeline.

As we know time is precious and many of you will want to watch the hockey, all we ask is for 1-2 hours over the weekend. If you could contact Ali on ladies.captain@threerockrovershc.com if you are able to give up any time over the weekend. We will be happy to work around your schedule.

This years end of season captains challenge will be held on Friday the 5th of April. Hopefully there will be no snow!!!

We have invited those u16s who will make their way to the senior side of the club to be a part of it this year. They will be captained by the 2 first XI captains Jody and Julie.

The format has changed slightly as we are basing it on the concept of Rush hockey. Matches will only be 10 mins total and will take place on a 25. The only rules are it cant hit feet, you score from anywhere and no hitting. Self umpired games.

Rachel will supply a BBQ with a burger, sausage, chicken kebab, baked potato and coleslaw for 7.50.

Colours are as follows:
Ali – navy
Rob – red
Siobhan – white
Findo – blue
Julie – navy
Jody – white

Schedule is below. You will be contacted by your captain in the next few days. If you have not been included on a team please let Ali know

7.20pm Rob v Ali
Siobhan v Findo
Julie v Jody

7.40: Rob v Jody
Ali v Siobhan
Julie v Findo

8pm: Siobhan v Jody
Findo v Ali
Rob v Julie

8.20pm:Siobhan v Julie
Jody v Ali
Rob v Findo

8.40: Jody v Findo
Ali v Julie
Siobhan v Rob