Dear NHC members past and present, parents, players and friends,
I wanted to share a quick update to let you know that I have taken on the role of Chairperson of Newbridge Hockey Club. I’m delighted and slightly terrified! to take on the role, but mostly I’m excited about what we can do together over the coming season and beyond.
Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank Elaine Cox “Coxy” for her many years of commitment to the club as Chairperson, player, coach, parent and probably every other job that needed doing along the way. Coxy has given so much to Newbridge Hockey Club, and she is handing over the reins with the club with plenty of opportunity for us to grow, refresh and thrive.
Although I’m a Newbridge blow-in, I was welcomed into the club 20 years ago from Galway and very quickly found a group of lifelong friends. Some of my best memories are from matches, nights out, team chats and celebrating personal milestones together long after the final whistle. I now coach our fierce NHC U8s and play on our newly established Vets team, which, for anyone interested, is a hockey career highlight if you like having a laugh and playing what I like to call “strategically paced” hockey.
Twenty years ago, Newbridge Hockey Club had 4 senior teams, a growing junior club, but no local pitch and certainly no flood lights!
Today, we have over 150 members, a strong junior section, from our youngest players right up to teenage level, and one senior ladies team and a Vets team. We have, thanks to Newbridge College, the use of a pitch and lights on our doorstep and although we are not a large club, we are a club with real potential and, most importantly, we are a club worth protecting and rebuilding for the future.
My ambition as Chairperson is simple: To keep hockey alive in Newbridge, to strengthen the club for our current members, and to create a positive pathway for future players, coaches and volunteers. I think we can all agree that we want Newbridge Hockey Club to be a club that gives young people a safe, fun and supportive place to play hockey so they are still playing as Vets!
Over the coming months, the focus will be on refreshing the club in a practical and realistic way. It is about putting solid foundations in place, improving how we communicate, making better use of the resources we have, and creating a club that feels welcoming, organised and positive for everyone.
Next steps for me, is to build a committee to support the club ambition. The roles and commitments I feel will support this, are outlined at the end of this letter. Some roles are already filled, but we would really welcome more volunteers, fresh ideas and helping hands.
Not every role needs to be a big commitment. Some people may be able to take on a committee position, while others may only be able to help at an event, support a coach, help with communications, approach a sponsor or give a few hours during the season. It all really helps.
To support planning for the season ahead, I would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey. I would also encourage parents to involve junior players in the feedback, we want to hear what they enjoy, what they would like more of, and what would make the club even better for them.
We will also be moving towards a more streamlined approach to communication and membership registration via ClubZap, with more details on this to follow shortly.
Thank you to everyone who has kept the club going to this point coaches, committee members, parents, players, volunteers and supporters. Your time, energy and commitment are hugely appreciated.
I’m really looking forward to working with you all as we begin this next chapter for Newbridge Hockey Club. With a bit of structure, a bit of energy, and a few more people involved, I think we can create something really special for Newbridge hockey.
Thanks all,
Pamela McCan
Newbridge Hockey Club, Volunteer Roles & Support Needed
If you see a role that might suit you — or if you would simply like to help in a smaller way — please get in touch. You do not need to know everything about hockey to be useful to the club.
I wanted to share a quick update to let you know that I have taken on the role of Chairperson of Newbridge Hockey Club. I’m delighted and slightly terrified! to take on the role, but mostly I’m excited about what we can do together over the coming season and beyond.
Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank Elaine Cox “Coxy” for her many years of commitment to the club as Chairperson, player, coach, parent and probably every other job that needed doing along the way. Coxy has given so much to Newbridge Hockey Club, and she is handing over the reins with the club with plenty of opportunity for us to grow, refresh and thrive.
Although I’m a Newbridge blow-in, I was welcomed into the club 20 years ago from Galway and very quickly found a group of lifelong friends. Some of my best memories are from matches, nights out, team chats and celebrating personal milestones together long after the final whistle. I now coach our fierce NHC U8s and play on our newly established Vets team, which, for anyone interested, is a hockey career highlight if you like having a laugh and playing what I like to call “strategically paced” hockey.
Twenty years ago, Newbridge Hockey Club had 4 senior teams, a growing junior club, but no local pitch and certainly no flood lights!
Today, we have over 150 members, a strong junior section, from our youngest players right up to teenage level, and one senior ladies team and a Vets team. We have, thanks to Newbridge College, the use of a pitch and lights on our doorstep and although we are not a large club, we are a club with real potential and, most importantly, we are a club worth protecting and rebuilding for the future.
My ambition as Chairperson is simple: To keep hockey alive in Newbridge, to strengthen the club for our current members, and to create a positive pathway for future players, coaches and volunteers. I think we can all agree that we want Newbridge Hockey Club to be a club that gives young people a safe, fun and supportive place to play hockey so they are still playing as Vets!
Over the coming months, the focus will be on refreshing the club in a practical and realistic way. It is about putting solid foundations in place, improving how we communicate, making better use of the resources we have, and creating a club that feels welcoming, organised and positive for everyone.
Next steps for me, is to build a committee to support the club ambition. The roles and commitments I feel will support this, are outlined at the end of this letter. Some roles are already filled, but we would really welcome more volunteers, fresh ideas and helping hands.
Not every role needs to be a big commitment. Some people may be able to take on a committee position, while others may only be able to help at an event, support a coach, help with communications, approach a sponsor or give a few hours during the season. It all really helps.
To support planning for the season ahead, I would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey. I would also encourage parents to involve junior players in the feedback, we want to hear what they enjoy, what they would like more of, and what would make the club even better for them.
We will also be moving towards a more streamlined approach to communication and membership registration via ClubZap, with more details on this to follow shortly.
Thank you to everyone who has kept the club going to this point coaches, committee members, parents, players, volunteers and supporters. Your time, energy and commitment are hugely appreciated.
I’m really looking forward to working with you all as we begin this next chapter for Newbridge Hockey Club. With a bit of structure, a bit of energy, and a few more people involved, I think we can create something really special for Newbridge hockey.
Thanks all,
Pamela McCan
Newbridge Hockey Club, Volunteer Roles & Support Needed
If you see a role that might suit you — or if you would simply like to help in a smaller way — please get in touch. You do not need to know everything about hockey to be useful to the club.
Smaller Volunteer Roles – Every bit helps!
These roles are ideal for parents, players, past members or supporters who may not be able to take on a committee role but would still like to help.
If you see a role that might suit you or if you would simply like to help in a smaller way please get in touch or add your details in the survey!
Newbridge Hockey Club Member Feedback Survey – Fill out form
These roles are ideal for parents, players, past members or supporters who may not be able to take on a committee role but would still like to help.
If you see a role that might suit you or if you would simply like to help in a smaller way please get in touch or add your details in the survey!
Newbridge Hockey Club Member Feedback Survey – Fill out form
