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Online Autism in Sport Workshop

DLR Sports Partnership with CARA Centre are hosting an online Autism in Sport Workshop this Monday 21st November from 7pm -9.30pm.

The online workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of Autism focusing on the delivery of sport. It will help participants to recognise and understand key areas of difference as well as looking at practical strategies which will help to include people with autism in sport sessions.

This workshop is suitable for Sports leaders, coaches, volunteers, teachers, principals, special needs assistants (SNAs), parents or anyone who has an interest in making their sport accessible and inclusive for people with Autism.

The cost is just €10 and you can book through the following Eventbrite link.

Christmas Jumper Day

Our wonderful Christmas Ambassadors, siblings Shay and Chloe, are asking you to do the simplest thing, to help children like them and every sick child that comes through the doors of Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.

Their story is so inspiring and heartwarming, one of bravery, love, support and care. “Shay and Chloe’s story is just one of many that makes Christmas Jumper Day so important. This time of year is all about giving, and when you jump into a Christmas jumper, you give kids (and parents like us) the best gift ever… HOPE” say Irene and James, Shay and Chloe’s parents

We need YOU to sign up to help each and every child who comes through the doors of our Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly. Your donations will give sick children the very best present and will make a lasting difference for our littlest patients and their families this Christmas and beyond.

So please, on Friday, 9th December, gather your teams together and ask them to simply…….Wear a silly sweater to help sick children get better! 

Update on Hockey Pitch Development, November 2022

Newpark Sports Centre
Newpark Comprehensive School
Avoca Hockey Club Logo
Avoca Hockey Club

Following on from our previous announcement in relation to the resurfacing of the Newpark Comprehensive School hockey pitch, we now wish to provide an update on the pitch redevelopment.

Resurfacing works that had been scheduled to commence have unfortunately been under ongoing delay, primarily due to supply chain issues related to key materials. Subsequently, consideration has also been given to the risks associated with potential adverse winter weather conditions during construction, as a consequence of the delay in initiating works.

As a result, Newpark Comprehensive School and Avoca Hockey Club have decided that the most sensible course of action given the circumstances is to pause the current phase of development in the short term. 

We acknowledge and thank all users and patrons, from the School, Club and Sports Centre for their patience and support over the last number of months.

We are now planning for an implementation of the pitch resurfacing works to commence in Spring 2023.  We look forward to the realisation of this project and the benefits it will bring to all.

Eoin Norton

Principal

Newpark Comprehensive School

Ben Geoghegan

President

Avoca Hockey Club

U16s Monkstown Win

A week after their disappointing 4-1 defeat against YMCA, Trevor Dagg’s U16 team returned to indomitable form on Sunday afternoon in Newpark with a league win over Monkstown. Joseph Dewerdt fired a cracker of a goal midway through the game to put Avoca 1-0 up. The team worked hard to withstand the pressure – helped by some goalkeeping heroics from Oskar Nielsen – to finish with a win. It was an impressive display of determination and force – well done to the whole team.

Avoca all-stars ID Hockey team.

Avoca Hockey Club is offering a 4 week introduction to hockey programme for players with intellectual disabilities aged 10-18 in Newpark School. Sessions are from 6-7pm beginning Thursday 17th November. Please bring a gum shield and shin guards are recommended. Hockey sticks will be provided. Contact Patricia Martin for further details: pjcimartin@hotmail.com.

Ireland in World Cup Final!

Irelands over 65s masters featuring Avoca’s Charlie Taylor have beaten Japan in their final group game and now play Australia tomorrow at 4am in World Cup Final.

We heard from Brendan Rice earlier who thanked us for all the support, he said it is a great honour for a small lad from Parteen Co. Clare who only took up hockey in his mid 20s. This is the first men’s Masters team ever in a world cup final. He mentioned there are some major challenges ahead against Australia who are ranked 1st in the world in our Master’s group, however, these are the reasons we play hockey to play against the top teams.

The very best of luck lads – enjoy the day and we will be thinking of you!

You can follow their progress on Facebook here and you can watch the match on livestream at 4am Irish Time (Noon local) if you can’t sleep here.

Avoca HC Performance Director – Graham Shaw

I am very pleased to share with all club members that Graham Shaw is joining Avoca Hockey Club as our Performance Director. Graham has an exceptional record of performance both on and off the pitch and joins us at a critical time in our development. Prior to his outstanding results as a coach and leader with International hockey teams both at home and abroad, Graham held many pivotal roles while playing for and captaining Ireland amassing over 150 caps and collected many accolades while playing for and coaching Glenanne as well as Monkstown. Naturally we are delighted to have Graham join us and I would ask you to give him a warm Avoca welcome as he joins in with some of our training sessions / games and learns about Avoca and our ambitions.

As Performance Director Graham’s key focus areas will include Elite Player Performance including differentiating experience and pathway along with Masterclasses, Senior Team Performance including Performance Management, Mental Preparation and Advantage and advising on next steps, Coaching Development and Mentoring to support Junior Section and to help the whole Club on retention & attraction and Club Direction and Identity helping us to grow the Club and contributing to our brand refresh process.

Graham will observe, listen and learn ahead of prioritising his time where he can help most. As you would expect, these focus areas are likely to change and we’ll adapt our plans accordingly. These are clearly aligned to our Strategic Plans and I ask you to help and support Graham in his endeavours for our club.

Very exciting times for sure and a lot to look forward to in yet another exceptional season at Avoca HC!

Yours in sport,

Ben Geoghegan, President – Avoca HC