North Norfolk Hockey Club have been awarded the Norfolk Hockey ‘Presidents Cup Commendation’, an award that usual goes to a individual that shows outstanding contribution to hockey within Norfolk. Ali Wardale, President of Norfolk Hockey, awarded the club the prestigious award at last night county AGM quoting “ they have worked extremely hard to improve their hockey offering”.

A huge congratulations to all players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and spectators that make our fantastic club what it is. Read Ali Wardale’s awards speech below:

Awards Speech from Ali Wardale (President of Norfolk Hockey)

This years Presidents Award is being presented to a club rather than an individual. The club in question is one of the counties medium sized clubs running 3 men’s teams and 2 women’s teams.
They have worked extremely hard to improve their hockey offering. Their women’s 1s are now playing at their highest ever level, finishing 4th in the East Division 1 North last season, with their women’s 2s gaining promotion from the Empresa League Div 2.
On the mens side the 1’s finished the season as champions of East Division 3 North East whilst the 2’s were East Division 6 North East champions, both teams consequently gaining promotion. The men’s 3’s narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 3rd in the East Division 6 North East.
Some of those teams now contain young players who are being developed by the expanding and vibrant juniors section that the club is now running, which members over 100 juniors. Teams are now being entered into the Mini-Hockey Festivals run by Norfolk Clubs where teams have enjoyed success and are showing they are a force to be reckoned with.
Over the summer a number of their junior members have been involved in the Norfolk Development Centres and it is likely that some of those will go on to the Academy Centres.
This success wouldn’t happen without members who are keen to run the sessions so it great to see that club members have been keen to develop their coaching skills by attending Coaching Development workshops.
In addition the club runs weekly Free Drop In Hockey sessions for all ages and abilities and makes excellent use of social media to publicise themselves.
It is with great pleasure that I would like to present the Presidents Cup to North Norfolk Hockey Club.