As we have now come to the end of the season, and thoughts are in the planning mode for next I wanted to share a email club wide and give our members an update from myself as Chair as we say goodbye to a key members from the committee this year.

I am thankful for all those who volunteer for the club in the roles that get undertaken, and without these volunteers we wouldn't have the club we have. Especially those who step up and take on committee roles and to drive the club forward, and without these individuals we would not be where we are today, so whilst it is sad to say goodbye to them from the committee, it is with thanks for the hard work and efforts they have put in over the years of support they have given to the roles they are stepping back from.

Emily Desmond - Ladies Club Captain

Emily has supported the committee over the past 4 years, starting informally in refreshing our social media engagement with the wider public - ensuring that AFHC putting themselves out to more than just its club members and this has helped drive new members, club engagement and positive feedback from England Hockey. From this Emily got more formally involved in the committee transforming our kit offering and was the foundation for our move to Serious Sport, and evidence of the impact this has made is seen each week with members wearing said kit.

More recently over the past few seasons Emily has been our Ladies Club Captain, the sole focal point for our Ladies adult section. From arranging squads, managing captains, dealing with coaches and ensuring we put out teams each week and communicating with club members Emily has ensured we put out 5 teams across the Ladies section

Emily is not just stepping back from Ladies Club Captain this season but is also moving away and we wish her the very best for the move and also her wedding in September, especially as this has been her club for the past 17years.

Gillian Lamb - Junior Chair

Gillian has driven the Junior Programme for our club for the past 4 seasons and it is a credit to Gillian the level of work and effort that goes into this role especially when our junior section is the largest and we also see the juniors in our adult section as well. We have seen a drive to improve coaching, better representation at county and regional hockey, all whilst seeing Gillian manage teams, arrange pitch bookings, welfare matters, delivering coaching and engaging with Junior Parents questions and enquiries. Gillian has also worked hard to ensure we can play as much hockey as possible, which has been challenged with the South East structure, and was an early advocate to move to South Central to ensure we can offer more hockey to our junior members, and has already had positive engagement with them , and even though she is stepping back is helping ensure we enter the right teams for the up & coming season.

This has been a huge undertaking as Junior Chair and going forward we are taking steps to break this role down going forward as was shared at the Parent Forum, but Gillian has helped ensure that each week we have juniors playing hockey even if that meant changing her plans to make it happen.

Sarah "Rosie" Oates - Social & Comms

Rosie has been a long standing committee member and has undertaken a number of roles throughout her time supporting the club, also including team captain and junior coaching. Rosie has supported the club as Clubs First co-ordinator, Welfare officer and most recently Social & Comms. During midway last season Rosie stepped back from the current role and will not be standing in this role next season.

Mark Edgley (Edge) - Vice Chair

This past season Mark has undertaken a number of roles including Secretary & Clubs First co-ordinator, ensuring we again were certified this year, as well as coaching our Junior GKs, In addition to this he was the cover for me during my paternity break from Chair through the midpart of the season. Whilst looking to continue to stand as Secretary and continue to support the club committee going forward with the number of roles being carried out he is stepping back from Vice Chair as it is too much for one individual to undertake.

Whilst this may be a short summary of the individuals efforts and support they have given to the Committee and this club, the impact they have made is far greater than the words that could be shared and I can only thank each of them for their support and dedication to what they have done and for the benefit of Aldershot & Farnham Hockey Club. Whilst not standing as committee member long may they continue to support from the side lines, and that our members thank them for there work.

With people stepping down from roles it does give us the opportunity to bring new members to the committee and we will be holding our AGM shortly - and on the back of this message I know Mark (as our Club Secretary) will be sharing details. If anyone is interested in supporting the club please do contact us, it doesn't have to just be these roles.

Look forward to seeing you at the AGM or at Summer League on Wednesday evenings at Heath End (Juniors 6:30 / Adults 7:30)

Chris "Eds".