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

European week of Sport Taster Sessions

The European week of Sport runs from the 23^rd – 30^th September 2022 and there are a few programmes that might interest you. If you have any queries please contact Kevina here: Kmalone@dlrcoco.ie

Men on the Move 6 week programme – Starting 19^th of September ( Monday & Wednesday’s, Free, Men only programme), lads over 40, who would like to start back to exercising,7-8pm Cuala hall. Register

Kayaking Kings – Free Come & try Kayaking session, Men only, Irish National Sailing School, west pier, Dun Laoghaire, Sunday 25^th of September,12pm to 1.30. Register

Coaching Teenage Girls in Sport– For adult coaches of Teenage Girls, Online, Tuesday 27^th at 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Register

Roller Rebels -Free come & Try Roller Skating Session, Thursday 29^th of September, Cuala Gaa Hall 7.00pm- 8.00pm, we have 20 pairs of Skates and protective gear (sizes 4-7), if you have roller skates feel free to bring them. Register

Dublin Mountain Partnership– Free Night Hike in Ticknock – contact: info@dublinmountains.ie

Newpark Parking

In an effort to help ease the congestion at Newpark, all hockey players should park to the left as you enter the school grounds (before you get to the pitch) and not the parking area at the sports centre. Many thanks!

The Aerial Rule

Following updates to guidance on the interpretation of aerials, and given many queries regarding this rule from coaches, players and spectators. Please watch the below to help your understanding of the rules on the aerial ball.

Irish Breast Cancer’s Great Pink Run returns

Irish Breast Cancer’s Great Pink Run with Glanbia is to make a physical and virtual return next month.

The Great Pink Run, which has raised over €5.4million since it began back in 2011, returns to Dublin’s Leopardstown racecourse and surrounding areas on October 9, with a second event taking place in Kilkenny a week later on October 16.

Junior Season Commences!

Exciting day tomorrow (Sunday, 28th Aug) as we kick off the Junior section hockey across 5 pitches throughout the day. One key highlight will be introducing our 60 newest members – Senior Infants. We will be presenting them with their bibs and Avoca Hockey Sticks at Loreto Foxrock at 9.30am Sunday. Roger Dunwoody – ex Avoca President – will present the first stick to his Granddaughter Robin who is the third generation club member. Do call by for this very special kick off to the season.

Canadian Hall of Fame

A fascinating story and video of Tony Boyd who has just been entered into the Canadian Hall of Fame. Tony started hockey at Avoca in the 40s and having moved to Vancouver in his twenties, was influential in building hockey there before representing Canada at the Olympics in in Tokyo 1964. Read more here.

Leinster Bye-Laws

All clubs (and their members) who wish to participate in Leinster Hockey Association competitions, development, workshops and courses must abide by the LHA ByeLaws, rules and regulations. This information is available on the LHA website – LHA Documents – Governance & Bye Laws (leinsterhockey.ie)
Clubs are asked to make sure that their members (players, coaches, umpires and supporters) are aware of the LHA policies in respect of
– Safeguarding
– Code of Conduct
– Social Media use
– Disciplinary Procedures
– GDPR
– Registration rules

Euro Qualifiers – August 18-21st: Volunteers needed

Hockey Ireland is delighted to announce that we are hosting the EuroHockey Championship Qualifiers featuring Ireland, Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey in Abbotstown on August 18th to 21st 2022.

For Hockey Ireland to deliver this major event, we need the support from a large number of volunteers to help with the running of the tournament. Volunteers are an irreplaceable part of our organisation and Hockey Ireland would not be able to host such a big event without your support which will be instrumental in ‘Changing the Game’ for our international teams.

For you, volunteering provides a unique opportunity to experience an international sporting event behind the scenes, allowing you to get to know organizations behind the EuroHockey Qualifiers and to create new friendships with other sport enthusiasts.

Registration closes on August 5th.

Thursday 18th August 3:15pm – 9:15pm

Saturday 20th August 9am to 3pm

Sunday 21st August 9am to 3pm

Thank you in advance to all who can volunteer for this event. Your support is very welcome.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@hockey.ie.