GWENT HOCKEY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2015
ISSUE 1
Introduction
The “Orange Army”, Gwent Hockey Club is back training for another year, and it is very exciting to see familiar faces back training and to also welcome new faces to the club.
WE enjoyed some fantastic achievements last season, both on and off the pitch, and we are hoping to build on our positive efforts again this year and achieve even more.
Our Gwent Hockey club manager, Louise Riley has been busy over the summer getting everything ready and co-ordinating all the dates, fixtures, coaches and training session, and she is the main contact for our club. At our last committee meeting, Louise and others thought it would be an added bonus if we continued to do some fund raising this year and to add to our communications.
This newsletter is to welcome everyone back for 2015/2016, to communicate on some of our pre-planned fundraising activities for the club which I hope you will help support, and to encourage and strengthen our team approach by sharing some top tips from others.
I look forward to seeing you all at training.
Amy Whittle
FUNDRAISING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015/2016
HALLOWEEN
The week commencing the 26th of October
. Come and play hockey in your spooky outfits, it will be £1 per person.
. Enjoy some Halloween cupcakes, 50p per cupcake.
CHRISTMAS
The week commencing the 7th of December
. Raffle with lots of exciting prizes.
VALENTINES
The week commencing the 8th of February 2016
.Name the Valentine teddy bear, £1 a guess.
AN INSIGHT INTO THE LIFE
OF ABBIE WELSFORD
LADIES CAPTAIN FOR WELSH HOCKEY
QUESTIONS ASKED TO ABI WELSFORD
SEPTEMBER 2015
Amy: Thank you for agreeing to answer my questions. I thought it would be really interesting for hockey players in my club Gwent hockey club and for Hockey Wales communications to hear from our country’s Captain. Below are her answers:
1) Amy: When you are training, or playing a match, what time do you get up?
Abi: We always get up early enough to ensure we have a good breakfast and the food digests so we can train properly so if it’s a morning match or training then usually at least two hours before the start of the warm up but if it’s an afternoon/evening match then we try to get as much sleep as possible so it's usually 8.30-9ish.
With regards to my daily training schedule I usually train in the evening after work so I’m usually up at 7 to get to work on time.
2) Amy: What preparations do you make the night before/week before? E.g. sleep, diet, training?
Abi: It’s always important to get enough sleep so I always make sure I try to get to bed early the week leading up to a big tournament or match because I think it makes a big difference. In terms of training we have usually done the hard yards earlier in the programme so the week before a big competition is usually a little lighter so allow for tapering.
3) Amy: As Captain, do you have any special responsibilities before and after a match?
Abi: You have the usual things like the coin toss and the talk in the huddle before a match but other than that it’s just making sure I prepare fully and try to set the example. It’s important to try to encourage everyone in the team and have a quick word with people to ensure they are all ok and not too nervous.
4) Amy: How often do you train each week?
Abi: In season I usually do two running sessions, 2 weights sessions, 2 hockey training sessions and a match which usually fits into 6 days, I always try to have a Sunday off to rest and get a bit of a balance and do other things.
5) Amy: What does a typical training session for Wales hockey entail?
Abi: It’s usually game related so whatever we need to work on as a team but put into pressurised, competitive situations.
6) Amy: How do you physically prepare for big matches/tournaments?
Abi: I just make sure I’ve followed the training programme throughout the season and that usually means I’m physically ready to go. We do a lot of interval training and try to replicate match conditions as best as you can. In terms of on the day of matches I like to get ready early and check I have everything I need so that I can just focus on the game.
7) Amy: How do you and your team mates, mentally prepare for your matches/tournaments?
Abi: We always do some form of target setting session before the tournament so that everyone is working towards a common goal. After that the emphasis is always placed on trusting the processes and trying to focus on what is happening there and then rather than worrying too much about the result.
8) Amy: How do you ensure you always work as a team? Do you have any tips for our team in terms of good team work for success?
Abi: I think that’s a lot to do with trusting your team mates and valuing everyone’s contribution. I don’t think that happens over night but you build the bond with your team mates through working hard and showing a commitment to the team and putting the teams needs before your own. On the pitch it’s knowing your role within the team and trusting others to perform theirs.
9) Amy: Before any game, but especially before tournaments, our team (s) can often feel the pressure. What do the Welsh team to focus on the game and ensure they don’t let the pressure affect them?
Abi: In reality you could think about a million and one things and play over different scenarios in your head but if you aren’t playing in the now and focussing on that second then you are never going to play your best. I think it’s a lot to do with making sure you trust the processes, respect but don’t fear your opponents and follow the game plan set for each match.
10) Amy: What advice would you as Captain of Wales, give to young people in hockey who want to play their best and succeed in the game?
Abi: I’m a firm believer in Karma so I always think if you work hard, prepare fully in terms of training/lifestyle and make the necessary sacrifices then you will always put in the good performances when it matters. Also, have the strength of mind to believe in yourself and your
ability because confidence (not arrogance) can bring the best out of players.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
FROM FAMOUS SPORTING LEGENDS
“Champions keep playing until they get it right” – Billy Jean King, tennis player
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail” – Mark Spitz, swimmer
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning” – Pele, footballer
“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way” – Babe Ruth, baseball player
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, its whether you get up” – Vince Lombardi, American football player
“The best motivation always comes from within – Michael Johnson, sprinter
“The secret of winning games is working more as a team, less as individuals” – Knute Rockne, football coach.
GOOD LUCK FOR TRAINING AND ALL MATCHES, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR GWENT HOCKEY CLUB.
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