Footscray Hockey Club

The ladies section has recruited well and the explosion of junior players wishing to play senior ladies is tremendous. At last count 120 ladies have committed to senior ladies, therefore we have entered an 8th team into Metro 4. SL3, PB, M1N, M2N M2S, M3N, M4N Blue, M4N Red. The only concern is that at present we do not have enough GK’s to fill all our teams. If you know any GK’s or are interested in putting on the pads yourself then let Nicole know!

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Fidz, our Metro Training Coach and Metro 2 North Game Day coach. Fidz will be training the ladies Metro 2, 3 and 4 players every Tuesday and Thursday Night. This is the first year we have had someone able to commit to two training sessions, so we encourage as many players to turn up to training from the Metro grades to make it worth his while. If numbers drop off then it will become difficult to justify coming to coach with only a handful of girls.

Practice Matches are under way—every ladies member please check your e-mails on Wednesday to see where you have been selected and FOR EVERY PRACTICE MATCH AND FOR ROUND 1—every member will need to reply to that e-mail to confirm you are playing.

IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE—PLEASE LET NICOLE KNOW A.S.A.P – preferably before Tuesday night selection. 0424 132 715 nicolevirtuoso@hotmail.com

Apologies—there is a typo in the Ladies Pre-Season information pack. Easter Thursday there will be no training Thursday 9th April. NOT 16th April as stated in Info Pack.

FHC Ladies are currently seeking 2 METRO 2 COACHES for season 2009, the role involves committing to 1 training session per week to train all the Metro Ladies (if you can attend both – terrific) and game day coaching of M2.

Remuneration package available on negotiation.

Please contact Nicole if you are interested. nicolevirtuoso@gmail.com 0424 132 715

Special Grand Final Day Milestones
Congratulations to Lynda Thomas (450) and J.A Sheehan (400) who will be celebrating major milestones on Grand Final Day this year!

Coaching Announcement
After much consideration and thought, Paul Jones has decided not to put his hand up for next year’s State League Coaching Position. Paul indicated that he enjoyed his time at FHC and will be having a break from coaching next year. He thanked the members, coaches and administration who supported him throughout the year.
The FHC Ladies Coaching Panel has been approved by the board last Tuesday. The Panel will now begin the process of advertising and asking for expressions of interest for the State League position. I would like to commend Paul on making this decision very early after Round 18 as it allows the Coaching Panel plenty of time to appoint new coaches for season 2009.
On behalf of all the members and board, I would like to thank Paul for his efforts this year. Paul is welcome to come and support FHC in the future. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact Nicole.

State League 2 have had a disheartening season, finishing 10th and being relegated. Although they remained competitive during games, the scoreboard did not reflect the efforts of the girls on the pitch. Well done to all the girls for persevering through a challenging season. It is time to re-group and look to at a re-building phase again in SL3. The Ladies Coaching Panel’s top priority is to secure a State League and Ladies Club Coach who will support the needs of our senior and junior players, the SL team and the entire ladies section.

PB finished 8th in a year where the main aim was to hold the grade. This team had supported SL and M1 with players throughout the year, especially in the second half. Again, coach Rod Lloyd developed the juniors through his side with the senior experienced players, all of the juniors in this team played at least 1 game in State League this year. 33 girls played through this side this year.

M1N finished 5th, needing a draw or win in the last round to make the finals. Unfortunately they conceded a goal in the last 5 minutes of the game to finish 5th. The entire group were very disappointed, however are keen to make amends next year. First year coach, Kara Vaina, did a wonderful job. One of the key priorities in 2009 will be ensuring this team are promoted into Pennant D – it is said the hardest promotion to attain in the entire comp!

M2N finished 4th and played a thrilling Semi Final Match against Pegs, unfortunately bowing out 3 -2 in extra time. Well done to all the girls. This team had one of the largest playing list of any team, 32 girls played for M2 this year. Thanks to Steve for coaching this team after Marianne Fridell went over seas. M3N finished 2nd on the ladder and are straight through to the Grand Final after a 6 – 0 win against top team Greensborough. The junior development in this team is outstanding and most of the juniors playing in out top 4 teams played their first years of seniors with M3. Good luck girls!

M4 Blue stormed through to the Preliminary Finals after beating Essendon 7 – 2. They finished 3rd on the ladder and have had a very consistent year and a consistent squad.

M4 Red Finished 6th and were for the first time, coached by a non-playing coach, Peter Grosz. The improvement of this team and sideline coaching enabled this team to secure a number of wins and draws. With continued support this team has the potential to make the finals in 2009!

Brief Thank-You’s

1. Ladies Members – thankyou for your support and encouragement.
2. Team managers Jenny Hilton, Jane McCulloch, Sian Owen, Steve Pattie/Emma Robinson, Marianne Pearce/Mark White and David Pearce
3. Coaches of our top 3 training sides: Paul Jones, Rod Lloyd, Kara Vaina & Peter Grosz – thank you for coaching in a difficult and sometimes challenging year at training, selection and games. To our Metro team playing coaches – Marianne Fridell, Lynda Thomas, Kelllie Blokkerus – thankyou for the wonderful game day coaching with last minute team changes and all the challenges.
4. Alison Clegg – Fee Collector and support from Lynn Gale & Heather Shaw
5. Lisa Anderson – Canteen Roster Coordinator
6. Marianne Pearce – Vote Counting and other administration jobs.
7. Anne Robinson –Umpiring coordinator…and did a superb job! You are the best!
8. Giulia Virtuoso – Team List Manager while I was on maternity leave!

State League 2 have had a tough and challenging season. Currently sitting in ninth spot on the ladder with 2 win,2 draw & 10 Loss’s. However they have continued to persevere through this second half of the season. With 4 more games left to play out the season, as they have a double header on rnd 18 with a game on Saturday and Sunday, due to the rescheduled game against Bendigo. The girls will be finding it a tough end to the season playing all the teams who are in the top half of the ladder.

PB 7th after 4 win 5 loss’s and 6 draws, the ladder is extremely close in this competition. A win will see them back in finals contention.

M1N 2nd after some exciting wins, this team has really come together. A very close competition for the bottom half of the ladder. They are one point behind Hawthorn who are on top of the ladder. Well done Keep up the good work !!!

M2N 4th after 7 wins 6 draw and 2 loss. Playing consistently well. Keep up the good work girls!

M3N 2nd on the ladder , 2 points behind the team on top. Well done keep up the good work!!!

M4 Blue – 3rd after 8 wins 5 loss’s and 1 draw this team has been playing consistently well. Well done girls!!! Keep it up!!

M4 Red – 6th with 5 wins 3 loss’s and 6 draws . Great work girls. Keep it up
These two teams continue to have sufficient players (especially when players give me enough notice to replace them!) and their success is due to the consistent squads on players and the great coaching assistance they are receiving! Well done girls keep up the Fantastic Work!!!

State League are finding this season tough and challenging, with a young inexperienced side. The girls have it the halfway mark of the season, currently sitting in tenth sport on the ladder with 1 win,1 draw & 8 Loss’s. However they continue to persevere. This second half of the season, they will focus on getting the points they need, by converting more in attack.

PB 5th after 3 win 2 loss’s and 5 draws, the ladder is extremely close in this competition. There is currently one point difference between the 5th & 4th spots. A few more wins should see them in the top four and in finals contention.

M1N 4th after some exciting wins, this team has really come together. A very close competition for the bottom half of the ladder. With 1 &2 points separating the 4th,15 & 6th Spots. Keep up the good work !!!

M2N 5th after 4 wins 5 draw and 1 loss. Playing consistently well. Keep up the good work girls!

M3N Still sitting 1st, and have held this position for the first half of the season. Well done keep up the good work!!!

M4 Red & Blue M4N Blue 5th, M4N Red 4th. These two teams continue to have sufficient players (especially when players give me enough notice to replace them!) and their success is due to the consistent squads on players and the great coaching assistance they are receiving! Well done girls keep up the Fantastic Work!!!

New Teams List Manager
Nicole is going on maternity leave after round 7!
GIULIA VIRTUOSO 0420904685 SAVE THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE NOW! E-mail nicolevirtuoso@gmail.com.au
Giulia Virtuoso will be taking on the role of the “Team List Manager” part of my job as of Monday 2nd June. She will be using my e-mail address – nicolevirtuoso@gmail.com. Giulia’s role is solely to scribe and update the selection sheet, assist in contacting players coming in teams, e-mailing and making sure every team has a full squad. Any “Ladies Administrator” issues or things come up that you need assistance with, I will still be doing this part of my job. I can always take e-mails and phone calls and you will still see me around the club! IF YOU CAN NOT PLAY – YOU MUST NOW CONTACT GIULIA A.S.A.P ON 0420904685 (nicolevirtuoso@gmail.com) or fill in the unavailable list on notice board. Giulia will be able to replace you and notify your coach/team manager of any changes.
Thank you for all your support so far this year – please continue to be diligent and make Giulia’s job easy!

SL2 sitting 9th this team continues to persevere against challenging opposition. They need to focus on gaining points from the teams in the bottom half of the season over the coming weeks. Good luck girls!
PB 7th after 1 win and 4 draws, the ladder is extremely close in this competition. A few wins would see them in the top 4.
M1N 3rd after some thrilling wins, this team has certainly pulled it together over the past few games, keep up the good work.
M2N 2nd after some great results – this team has had the most varied selection sheet of all teams and is now finally settling with consistent players
M3N 1st on the ladder, however there are a few teams hot on their heals!
Both M4 teams continue to have sufficient players (especially when players give me enough notice to replace them!) and their success is due to the consistent squads on players and the great coaching assistance they are receiving!
M4N Blue 3rd
M4N Red 6th

The season is off to a flying start with an abundance of players for all teams. We have over 60 members attending regular training – all vying for a spot in the top 4 teams. We have seen a larger number of Metro 4 players enjoying training too. This has resulted in the strengthening of all 7 teams and increased the competitiveness for spots in higher grades. We encourage all members to embrace this scenario at FHC as it is in the best interests of our club and ladies future to field the best 11 in each team each week.

SL2 Sitting 8th with 2 losses and 1 win, this team is continuing to develop and work on a new playing style.
PB 5th has had 1 win, 1 draw and a loss. Great results considering it is their first year in Pennant B after promotion last year
M1N 7th after a shaky start, they finally secured a win in round 3. Kara is working intensely with her squad.
M2N 5th after 1 loss, 1 draw and a walkover given.
M3N 1st after 3 straight wins – they already have a goal difference of +20 after a brilliant 18 – 0 win over PEGS
M4N Blue 1st after 2 wins and a draw – a fabulous start!
M4N Red 8th after 1 loss and 2 draws – keep up the great work girls!

Umpire & Canteen Rosters have been distributed – please ensure you find your name and complete your duty. Special thanks to Lisa Anderson (canteen) and Anne Robinson (umpiring) who will be coordinating the rosters, and questions – please direct to them.

The State League 2 ladies squad played in the first round of the Cup against Doncaster, which proved to be a very competitive match. Both teams had opportunity to score and defended extremely well. The final result was 2 – 0, Doncaster awarded 2 strokes and converted. A commendable effort to the girls who played and coaches for preparing a squad in such a short space of time. Thank you to the supporters, especially the men who arrived early to water and cheer us on!