Stellar season for Men’s Hockey

As the shadows stretching over campus grow longer at the end of a busy winter term, sports teams from across Warwick campus were forced to cancel training sessions due to the adverse weather conditions. Despite the frustrating end to the term, one team emerged again as an exciting club to be a part of, offering a host of opportunities for members of all standards. UWMHC (Men’s Hockey), led by President Jack Kelly, have enjoyed huge successes both on and off the pitch, attracting an unprecedented amount of attention from this year’s fresher cohort to once again enjoy an unforgettable first term.
Starting back in September with a two week pre-season fitness campaign, which concluded with an enjoyable tour to Sheffield, all four of UWMHC’s teams looked primed and ready for successful seasons both in their respective Wednesday BUCS and their Saturday MRHA leagues. The 1st team, having lost a number of big players at the end of last year, including an England U-21 International, were looking to rebuild. With a good few freshers coming into the frame, the 1s have done well on Wednesdays in a tough league, facing teams including Birmingham and Loughborough. On Saturdays they have excelled; rising to 2nd and boasting the best defensive record in the league. The infamous 2nd team, led by Jonathan Absolon, have enjoyed similar success on Saturdays, with memorable wins including putting eight past a good Nottingham side. The 3rd team also sit at the top of their Saturday league having won every match so far. The 4th team, having struggled initially, have shown some promising form of late and look to be in good shape for a more successful 2011. Although all four teams enjoyed successes throughout the term on the pitch, the successes off it have almost eclipsed them.
As mentioned, this year’s freshers have exceeded the club’s expectations, throwing themselves into the social side of the club. With packed Circles every week, the two social secs, Aiman Shanks and Lewis Tutsell, must be accredited for doing a stellar job through the first term. The overriding success, though, came at the end Week 8 as a team of dancers went on to win ‘Warwick Dance for Sports Relief’ hosted by our good friends at Classical and Modern Dance. The boys performed admirably, deservedly beating Men’s Football in a closely fought final. The following week UWMHC hosted their own competition in conjunction with the Ladies club as ‘UWMHC/UWLHC’s Got Talent’ came to Koko’s in Leamington, raising a huge amount for charity. The event enhanced the club’s reputation as last year’s winners of the ‘Community Club of the Year’ award.
All in all it’s been a very busy, but very successful term for Men’s Hockey. With the annual Hockey Ball and tour fundraiser to look forward to, UWMHC looks set to continue to thrive in 2011.
Tom Lambert