What a way to start the new season! Sevenoaks Hockey Club launched their new pitch at the end of July with a tailgate party at Hollybush Lane.
With both Junior and Senior club members playing a couple of celebratory games before the official launch party started.
Iain Pearson, the clubs President, opened the official proceedings by thanking all the club members who were in attendance, before presenting bouquets of flowers and bottles of champagne to the many club sponsors, including their new recruits Handelsbanken.
Richard Young, the club captain, expanding on the legacy the new pitch would bring said: “The club would soon have new prefabricated changing rooms erected on the north-west side of the pitch before the opening game of the season in September”.
Janine Nicholls, the Ladies Chair then commented that the club would benefit greatly from the enhancements made to the club’s Hollybush Lane venue for years to come, giving future players a chance to play on the new surface.
The ‘cutting’ of the ribbon to officially open the new pitch was performed by Cllr Maxine Chakowa, the Mayor of Sevenoaks and Oaksy, the Hockey Club’s mascot, to much applause.
Sevenoaks Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI will compete in the England Hockey Premier League for the first time in the club’s history with a home tie against Reading on September 23.
Read an interview with Tim Warrington, the 1st team captain, on page 11.