MEN'S HOCKEY

 AT HAVANT

Men’s hockey at Havant has a two fold role-bringing young players along to see if they are capable of playing in the first team, and secondly providing a competitive arena at all levels of ability.

The move into the firsts has become more of a jump since Havant moved into Premier League, and now even more of a jump since they finished in fourth place last season, the first back in the top league, so their opponents now know just what to expect.

Whilst it is generally the case that young players show ability that merits special attention, it must be remembered that older players can develop into prospective first team players later in their playing career, having completed their education at college or university.

Anyone who thinks that social teams will survive as social teams, only have to make a correlation with the Ladies Haymakers. They were a social side who became chameleonic and wanted to play league hockey. They are not a young side, but occasionally have young players in their side, who pick up their highly competitive approach.

Men’s fourth team is the place where young players are nurtured through their early stages from experienced coaches. If it is thought that they have the makings, then a lot of encouragement is forthcoming.

Young players have to have somewhere to make mistakes, and eventually grow into capable players.

Men’s seconds are not completely separate from the first team, but part of it sitting on the bench to take to the field as replacements, both at the start of, and during the game.

 The starting of some games at 1730, will restrict their first team appearances as they will play on a Saturday, thus making it unfair to play two games, with the second at a much higher level.

Hobnobs and Bees are not usually young players as the name of their league suggests, Wessex Masters, as are the Cavalier, but these three sides have been known to press gang younger players into their side. Never think that these three teams lack speed, because they don’t.

It is from the more senior teams that club officials earn the fruits of their labours both as players and umpires, not only in these sides, but in games further up the scale.

What effect the Beijing Olympics will have on sport generally, and whether or not the knowledge gained when comparisons made during the conversations in the villages are considered, will be revealed in due course.