Following the relegation of Havant’s Hockey Club’s 1st XI men’s team from the English Hockey League at the end of last season after 26 years in the League, the Club’s has had a major shake up of its Men’s and Ladies 1st XI’s.
Men’s 1st XI
Merijin Van Willigen, the Men's1st XI coach for the past 5 years has resigned to take up the position as coach to Reading Hockey Club’s Ladies team.
Willigen’s position at Havant has been filled by 2nd XI Coach, Ady Adams. Adams joined HHC a few seasons ago and worked successfully with the Men's 2nd XI as well as supporting Willigen with the 1st XI. Adams 2nd XI won last seasons Surrey Division 1 Championship and the Hampshire Cup and he was also voted HHC's coach of the 2013/14 season. It was therefore no surprise that Adams was given the vacant position of Men's 1st XI coach.
Speaking to Adams about his plans for restoring the Club to the EHL, he told me “I want to put the smile back on the faces of our players. Last season we didn’t score enough goals and had to try to stop other teams playing. This season I want us to play it our way in our style with assertive hockey and more goals, particularly from short corners. We are looking to strengthen the team and Club President Chris Pickett is working very hard to bring in the players we need. A goal scorer is a priority and hopefully we will make a significant signing within the next ten 10 days. Others teams in our league are equally keen to regain a place in the EHL and are strengthening their own teams. Recently Old Georgonians have signed England International James Tindall from Surbiton HC. This is the calibre of player we would like to have at this Clubâ€
Ladies 1st XI
The Club has also announced changes to key positions on and off the pitch in Ladies Section.
Last season Havant Ladies 1st XI achieved a very creditable 6th place in League South Division 1 and the majority of the players have stayed at the club for the coming season. The team has a new manager, Richard Cook, and a new experienced coach, Mark Robinson. Mark said “I am delighted to join a club as prestigious as Havant and look forward to carrying on the progress achieved last season. I am pleased that we have retained the majority of the squad, itself an excellent mix of youth and experience, and look forward to the challenges ahead. Pre-season is just around the corner, and with a challenging set of fixtures already confirmed it is now down to the entire group to put itself in the best possible position before our first league game against Woking on the 20th September.â€
New manager Richard Cook has held many roles in his 15 years at the Club and is looking forward to teaming up with Mark and new captain of the Ladies 1st XI Emma Evans for the 2014/15 season. The Ladies section also has a new Ladies Club Captain, Laura Howe.
By making these changes at the top of the Men’s and Ladies sections the Club feels it now has a strong team to lead the way back to National League status and eventually the EHL Premier Division.