Note to hockey players and their parents and guardians:
After much thought and debate we have decided to locate the hockey training offsite on the wonderful Avoca Hockey pitch at Newpark School on Newtown Park Avenue. Our school pitch is unsuitable for hockey- the grass is too long. The players get discouraged by the difficulty in hitting the ball or in mastering any of the fancy ball skills they need to play good hockey. Playing on the Avoca pitch will give the children a fabulous experience of hockey. They will very quickly gain confidence in their skills and feel a great sense of competence. A number of other primary schools use this pitch and have found it has given their hockey a great boost! We think it is really worth the effort in travelling up there.
We once again have two terrific coaches – Peter Murphy and Deidre O’Shea
This year we will host a number of tournaments with other schools and all our players will get a chance to play on these occasions. We would also like to enter a 6th class team in the Alison Fraser hockey League again this year. We will confirm these events when we review the numbers we have for hockey this year.
As always it is the responsibility of the child’s parent to ensure that their child arrives at the side of the Newpark pitch by 2.45 and is picked up at 4pm. PTA do not take responsibility for the children between end of school day and arrival at hockey. Parents could arrange a rota of lifts between them. I will have 5 free spaces in my car if anyone is stuck.
Christine Magee