We are delighted to announce that Bob Douglas was last night (8 July) announced as Volunteer of the Year at the Rushcilffe Borough Council Annual Sports Awards. They acknowledged Bob's help in setting up Club/School links last year introducing hockey to a number of Junior Schools within the Borough. The Club echoes the achievement, and thanks Bob for all his leadership and coaching of the Clubs Junior sections since establishment in 1986.

Dust off those hockey sticks! Training restarts for Ladies from 29 July from 6pm and for Mens from 2 August from 7.30pm at the School pitch. Any interested new players, just turn up and say hello. Start of season info sheets available on right hand side under New Documents, go onto your Members Area page above to register your availabilities for September, if you have changed your email addresses or phone numbers over the summer, let us know, and Club would appreciate getting your subs paid asap.

We are always on look out for new players of all standards and can offer good hockey, modern clubhouse, real ale, good social side and two new pitches, and all for an annual subscription of £60. Register via our website or email us on geoff@wbhockey.co.uk or use the phone numbers on contact page.

Congratulations to the Monarchs 3rd team for winning their League and to the Mens 5ths for finishing champions in their League. The Monarchs 3s have had a great season with a very special mix of experience and youth. The 5ths have also had a great season with a "new boy" at the helm, so please congratulate Phil Elliott and Lucy Blyth next time you see them. Over the season, we have put out 13 league sides, 9 mens and 4 ladies, with 2 promoted and none relegated, and are planning to set up a Ladies 5ths for next year.

Also congratulations to the Mens 2nd XI who made it to the final of National EHL Trophy, where unfortunately they lost 4-2 to Eastcote HC and to the Boys U12s who got to quarter finals of Midlands Region Tournament.

It is with great pride that we can announce that Helen Richardson has been voted Player of the Year by the Hockey Writer's Club. Helen kindly opened the new pitch in September, and for those of you with a fairly recent pedigree, Helen was "turned on" to hockey by Jonesy in the Juniors. She has such fond memories of the Club that she has donated her winnings, and impressed upon the Hockey Writers how she appreciated those early days. Please read her email below.

"You maybe aware that the Hockey Writer's Club have an annual awards ceremony and for 2009 they voted me women's player of the year! This was obviously great for me but it also meant I was able to donate my winners cheque of £250 to a hockey organisation of my choice. Of course I choose West Bridgford HC for the important part it played in giving me the best foundation possible to my hockey career.

I would like it to go towards the junior section if possible to help with the fantastic work you do. So I have the cheque here with me and I was thinking the best thing would be for me to send it to you. I did think about coming up to the Club and present it in some way but I was looking at my diary and I really don't seem to have a spare moment any time soon! I have attached a photo of me with my trophy and here is the link to the report on the hockey writers web site in case you were interested!

I know I mentioned this briefly in my speech at the pitch opening but I really am very grateful for all WBHC did for me and I was so pleased I had the opportunity to say that at the awards ceremony in front of some very big hockey big wigs! I hope the season is going well and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Helen Richardson"

We had a wonderful day on September 5th, many thanks to our Guests Martin Gotheridge, Helen Richardson, Andy Pike, Ben Rea, Joan Wall and Rob McDonagh for helping us celebrate such an important event for the Club. Thanks to the School, National Hockey Foundation (www.thenationalhockeyfoundation.com), Rushcliffe Borough Council and WBMHC Buy A Square, for all contributing towards the project. I am sure that you will all agree that the pitch looked superb and played superbly during the day. We had almost non-stop matches, with a pause for the official opening by Helen, and rousing speaches by Helen, Martin, Pete and Martin E. The pig roast went down well, after careful positioning up-wind of the pitch. Thanks again for everyone who helped make it such a memorable day, and for those with a poor memory we have a picture page thanks to Simon Cooper and Bob Douglas - Click the image below.

We have only gone and done it - we scooped the (now) prestigious Rushcliffe Sports Club of the Year Award at today's gala event at Rushcliffe Arena. The red carpet was out for the movers and shakers in Sport in the region, and all the top Clubs were there to see who was to take home the coveted Top Club Award - and it was US....

Here we are getting the award from Tracey Francis, Notts Cricket Club development officer and ex Monarch. Bet she wished she hadn't deserted us. You've all done very well - I think I'm turning into old Mr Grace.