Lucy McGoldrick, Isobel Field and Sarah Byrne have all got on the Ireland U16 squad again this year.
There is very little funding available for the junior teams and therefore the team have to raise over €80,000 to fund their campaign. To do this, they are looking for our help and have set up a raffle with some excellent prizes!
The squad have already raised 10%. Support them here.
We have reached the business end of the season. After 33 games across League, Cup and EY2, our Women’s 1sts have a massive weekend of hockey ahead. First up on Saturday we welcome Ulster Elks to Newpark on Saturday at 14.30, in a game that will decide the winner of EYHL2, pool A. Winning the pool means progression straight to the Semi Finals on the 14th-16th April, Play off Finals weekend, while the runners up will take part in the Quarter final play-off games, next weekend, with a second chance to reach the Semi Finals.
This is the first year our Women’s 1st team have ever competed in EYHL2 and Noelle, Anna and the entire squad have acquitted themselves superbly with wins on the road against UCC, University of Galway and Saturday’s opposition, Ulster Elks, leaving them unbeaten in EYHL2.
The Men’s 1sts play their final home league match before the Women’s 1’s where they can secure a EYHL2 play off (possibly automatic qualification) for next season? Support always appreciated: push back at 12.30pm.
Sunday brings an Irish Senior Cup Semi-final against local rivals Monkstown in Newpark at 15.30. Having won the Irish Hockey Trophy last season, beating Raphoe in the final, the team now have the chance to reach the final of the Premier Irish Cup competition. They have got here via wins away to Banbridge, home to Cork Church of Ireland and a hard-fought battle with newly crowned Division 1 league winners Corinthians.
This is the stuff you dream about. Please come out and cheer the girls on this weekend. They need your support in two of the biggest games in Avoca HC history.
Fixtures at Newpark on Sat 25/3
12.30pm M1 v Trinity
2.30pm W1 v Ulster Elks EYHL2
4.15pm W3 v Trinity
Fixtures at Sion Hill on Sat 25/3
12.45pm W5 v TRR
2.30pm M4 v Bray
4.15pm W4 v Rathgar
Fixtures at Newpark on Sun 26/3
3.30pm W1 v Monkstown Irish Senior Cup Semi Final
We are running an Easter Camp on 11th – 14th April at St Andrews from 9.30am till 2pm.
These are great fun and it’s a super opportunity for kids to make great friends while improving their skills and learning new tricks!
Book onto the sr infants – 3rd class camp here.
Book onto the 4th -6th class camp here.
These camps are open to all so sign up asap if you want to take part.
Everyone who takes part in our camps must have a valdi Hockey Ireland membership.
Upcoming dates for ‘Fundamentals of Umpiring’ Q and A zoom sessions – please book by emailing niamh.fahey@hockey.ie
Tuesday 21st February at 7.30pm – delivered by international Umpire Alison Keogh
Wednesday 22nd March at 7.30pm – delivered by international Umpire Gillian Garrett
Tuesday 18th April at 7.30pm – delivered by international Umpire Tanja Schafer
To take part in this online Q&A session you must have fully completed your Fundamentals of Umpiring Module 1 through our eLearning Hub https://hockeyirelandhub.ie/ –
The initial steps to becoming a ‘club umpire’ are simple:
Step 1 – Complete your Online Rules Test – https://hockeyirelandhub.ie/
Step 2 – Complete our Online Module 1 – https://hockeyirelandhub.ie/
Step 3 – Attend a Q and A session via zoom – see below for dates – book by emailing niamh.fahey@hockey.ie
Step 4 – Book onto a Module 2 on-pitch workshop (new dates to be added soon – if your club would be keen to host one, please contact niamh.fahey@hockey.ie)
Trevor Dagg’s U16 boy’s team, who currently sit top of the Leinster league, face a crucial quarter final cup battle against YMCA tonight at 7pm in Wesley – all support welcome from Avoca members on the night!
The lads are a pleasure to watch, so it promises to be a good match.
In a first for the club, the U14 boys won the Tommy O’Sullivan Cup which took place in Portrane Hockey Club on Sunday. Trevor Dagg’s young team weathered a series of intense games against Monkstown, YMCA, Corinthians, Portrane and Railway to take home the winning cup. The lads should be proud of their performances, and for displaying impressive sportsmanship and discipline. Thanks to Portrane and the O’Sullivan family for being such welcoming hosts, and to manager Scott Rankin for all his work.
U14 Team
Milo Dagg, Josh Carroll, Nathan Gerrish, Cameron Owen, Myles Geraghty, Jack Cullen (gk), Leo Pearlman Spencer, Joel Pedapongu, Piran Mcsweeney, David Rankin (captain).
Coach: Trevor Dagg. Manager: Scott Rankin.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards are back and we’re asking you to nominate that volunteer in your club who keeps the show on the road! Someone wo always has a smile on their face, a stalwart, a go to in your club community. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 8th February 2023.
Through the Federation of Irish Sport, the Volunteers in Sports Awards is a celebration to honour and recognise individuals who are part of the wider volunteering community involved in sport, who give freely of their time and efforts in a variety of ways through the structure of sports clubs and/or community organisations in Ireland.
Nominations can be made by completing a short online entry form at https://lnkd.in/eEzBKTrV
Make their day! Get as many people in your club, community or association to vote for that special stalwart! #dedicatedtohededicated
Following on from our last Information Evening for Clubs last October where the main topic was around ‘Female Engagement & Participation in Sport’, we have created the attached bubble infographic.
We are encouraging DLR clubs to use the infographic to initiate important conversations around Women in Sport within your club to help support your female members & volunteers.
This infographic can be circulated to members, placed on social media platforms, printed and placed around facilities and most importantly brought to meetings and groups to be discussed. We hope that you find the information helpful and please feel free to contact us if you need any support.
We plan to hold our next Information Meeting for Clubs towards the end of March around the topic ‘ Inclusion within Sports Clubs’. We will keep you posted on the details.
The ‘Avoca All Stars’ ID Hockey team got off to a great start last month with a four week introduction to hockey programme. 10 new players signed up aged 10-21 years. Some were new to hockey, others had played before, but all arrived enthusiastic and despite the cold weather the engagement and positive attitude the players brought to each session was outstanding. Each week stretches and games supervised by lead coach Lucy were followed by skill training. Thanks to a wonderful response from Avoca’s Women’s Vets, each player was matched with a buddy throughout the programme. We are delighted to announce all 10 players have signed up for 2023. The next ID Hockey programme will run from January 12th- February 9th for 5 consecutive weeks. Sessions are in Newpark on Thursdays from 6-7pm.
Contact pjcimartin@hotmail.com if you wish to sign up.
The DLR Volunteer Centre is running a specific appeal to respond to the needs of Ukrainians. Their aim is to gather items to help them, particularly the children, enjoy the holiday season. They have received a list of very specific requests for items that would be greatly appreciated at this time.
Could you help them fulfil this wish-list?
You can help by adding a few needed items to your shopping trolley and delivering them to our donation point at Ballyogan Parish Hall.
Friday 9th December 11-2
Saturday 10th December 12-4
If you have any queries the DLR volunteer Centre can be contacted at
T:01 441 4444 or E: info@volunteerdlr.ie
