Academy Update- January 2019
Somehow we managed to get to the end of January without cancelling a session!
Partly down to the excellent facilities at Leicester Grammar and access to the sports hall, and when we have an Argentinian Indoor international coaching, why not?!
We have managed a few outdoor fixtures. There have been fantastic performances from teams and individuals throughout the month. The winter months in England are not always particularly friendly for player development and it is credit to our coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the academy players have a positive experience – even in near artic conditions.
This month we have also seen two academy players feature for the 1st team. This is a fantastic achievement and something that as a cub we should be incredibly proud of. Both Margot and Etta from the U16s have featured in two friendlies as the squad prepare for the second half of the season. Ensuring there is a pathway from the academy to the 1st team is crucial for any club no matter the level. Following impressive performances and their performance at training both have been invited to train with the 1st team permanently. Well done!
Further down the club Elise and Anna made 2nd XI debuts in friendly wins over North Notts (Elise) and Boots (both), again well done to both of you.
Next step for these players will be competitive debuts and we will be supporting you all the way!
Throughout the senior sides junior players continue to impress. It is incredibly important that we can expose players, once they are ready, to ladies hockey and start developing a pathway for players to filter into our senior sides. Academy players have contribute to cup runs for the 3rd and 5th teams.
As a club we are committed to providing opportunities for everyone. The 1st XI are important, and we want to create players that can break into that squad. But ultimately without everything below the 1s there is no 1st team. No matter what shirt you pull on we want players to be proud to play for Leicester.
It is also important to acknowledge the success of the coaching staff and the achievements of Steph Tirrell (U16 coach) can’t go unmentioned. After qualifying for the Super6s semi-final with her Buckingham side Tirrell pulled off a number of excellent saves to help her side reach the final! Unfortunately for Tirrell and her Buckingham teammates they lost out but to finish second in the country is a remarkable achievement. Well done! We can’t wait to have you back out on the turf coaching for the academy.
This is the first of what we are are hoping to be monthly updates to keep everyone in the loop with what is happening across the junior section. It is important to celebrate players and team success, highlight achievements and ensure that everyone knows what is going on. From 1st XI down to U8s, we are all part of the same Leicester Hockey Club.
