Page 12 - Cormorant 2023

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DAHC Season 2022/23
Lt Col Ed Charlesworth
THE DEFENCE ACADEMY HOCKEY Club came together in September 2022 for the new season.
As per what is likely the norm, there had been a
large changeover of personnel with those who played for the Academy last year in the low single figures. Nevertheless, there was a strong turnout in the early weeks to training (those who had never picked up a hockey stick, and those who had played at International level), with over 30 people registered as members and an excellent commitment at every training session on a Monday evening for the first few months.
There was an unexpected number of beginners at the start of the season and training split into two, with coaching specific for the beginners and the more experienced, luckily the new intakes on ACSC and ICSC meant we had 3 coaches to share the load.
After input from all the players attending training and the first committee meeting the ethos of inclusivity for matches was confirmed - it was more important that people got to play, rather than the actual result of each match. This meant there could be more flexibility in team selection, and more rotation of players - which likely helped those less interested in greater cardio-vascular activity (running!) and those beginners who were slightly nervous about playing up against the more experienced.
The first match was against Old Cheltenham
and resulted in a 4-0 defeat, however there were some very recognisable ex-england players in the Cheltenham line-up! A tough first game but an excellent turn out and effort by all in the DAHC team.
The second game was a 2-2 draw against Marlborough - with the opposition again having some very competent players, who would have been very handy in their younger days!
Disappointingly the next two matches were cancelled due to a frozen pitch, meaning a good 10 week gap until the next match against the REME in February
of 2023, which DAHC lost 3-0. The REME had the benefit of a coherent team, as opposed to the DAHC’s rotational nature and despite some strong efforts
by individuals, the team were well beaten. The next match against Devizes was similar, with the Defence Academy going up against a well drilled and capable opposition meaning we were outplayed resulting in a 5-0 loss. However, as usual the defeat was taken well by the DAHC team, and we kept trying until the end, with the social side of the club more apparent in the scruffs bar afterwards.
Half way through the season saw the changeover
of ICSC courses and the first awards of colours and half-colours to those leaving. With the new ICSC
‘B’ course arriving we also had new additions of Combined Services experience and Service level players - meaning we felt more confident going into the second half of the season. The next two matches were a reflection of this new-found level of skill and experience, with a 5-4 hard fought victory against DE&S Abbeywood (who immediately requested a follow-up game), then another 4-2 victory against North Wilts that really could have gone either way. We came out of those two games feeling strong as a team.
The final match of the season was the much- anticipated rematch against DE&S ABW, after a large gap due to overseas exercises. Once again we had
a strong turnout of players, but ABW came with only 11, and with no goalkeeper - meaning they would be playing with 11 outfielders. Those more experienced knew that this was not necessarily a good thing and would come with its own challenges to the match, as they would always have an additional player in the outfield compared to us. The result was a very close 3-2 loss against ABW who had clearly been bolstered by some new players posted in. The last 10 minutes was a real team effort and ABW managed a reverse stick, shoulder height save from a DAHC shot in the last 2 minutes meaning they hung on for the win.
Of the 10 matches organised, 2 were cancelled, 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. Throughout the season though the team ethos was evident throughout by
all - particularly the ladies section. With so many new players it was great to see such progression
and improvement through the season, with everyone learning – hopefully all will continue to play hockey in the future.
The Defence Academy Hockey Club again showed it’s true colours as a fun, inclusive and sociable club that was made up of ACSC members, ICSC members, Station personnel, MOD Civil Service, ladies and gentlemen. A true team!
“As usual the defeat was taken well by the
DAHC team, and we kept trying until the end, with the social side of the club more apparent in the scruffs bar afterwards