The 26/27 online Welfare presentation will be delivered by SCHC’s Welfare Officer, Karen Slater, at 7pm on Monday 7th September. All coaches, captains, umpires and committee members are required to watch the presentation, and a link to the meeting will be shared later this week.
Additionally, the EH Safeguarding in Hockey Workshop needs to be completed by all lead coaches.
The club operates a Discretionary Fund to support members with subscriptions, match fees, kit costs if needed. Please speak to someone on the membership team or your captain/coach if financial support would be helpful.

Junior Section

Junior Hockey covers U8 to U14 Sunday hockey. Our thanks to all the coaches and volunteers who help run it.
We start back on 6th September, running through to 20th December, and all training sessions are now on Pitchero. Please set attendance in advance to help coaches plan sessions effectively.

Transition and Talent Certification

Badgers, development teams and U16/18 Hockey is overseen by a Transition group.
Phil Cole coordinates Sutton’s transition and Talent Certification, and we welcome Phil to the Core Committee.
The club has completed Year 4 of the 5 year TC cycle and we are due for re-accreditation next year.
England Hockey’s Talent system developer visited Sutton earlier in 2026 and was very impressed with the Club, its culture and the wide variety of hockey opportunities offered.

Senior Section

We are pleased to share that Hardev Singh Matharu has been appointed Men’s 1st XI coach for the 26/27 season. Hardev brings a wealth of experience to his new role and is already well known within the club having been the W2s coach last season. Andy Fairbrother returns as Women’s 1st XI coach and we wish both Andy and Hardev and all teams well for the season ahead.
Thank you to outgoing captains Ella Bishop, Tom Nicholls, Ian Nicholls, Alex McDowell and Dan Branch.
Please note that men’s club training moves to Tuesdays at Vesey, 7 - 8:30pm, and this season will be led by Men’s 1st team player Sam Lacey.
Congratulations to all those who represented their countries at the Masters World Cup Competitions over the summer - Coach Andy Fairbrother, Sue Wood, Sophie Manning & Emma Gill (England WO35s Gold), Oli Ward (England MO35s Gold), Vicky Woolford (England WO45s Bronze), Eli Best (Wales O35s), Pat Finegan (Ireland O70s), Chris Ball & Mike Roberts (Scottish Thistles O65s) and Steve Hollingworth (Wales O60s).

Finance & Subscriptions

Subscriptions for the 2026/27 season have been shared and will be allocated on Pitchero this week.
Thanks to Alex Hinsley for her work setting these up and we welcome new club Membership Officer, Leigh Dudley, to the Core Committee. Liv Dunnington (women) and Sam Syner (Juniors) complete Leigh’s membership team.
The Pitchero lottery continues this season, costing only £10 a month and you can win big amounts: join.thefundraisingclub.org.uk/sutton-coldfield-hockey-club

Clubhouse, Teas and Socials

Thank you to David Ough and all those who have been involved in the clubhouse upgrades. Among other works, the women’s toilets and showers have now been refurbished.
Our thanks also to MAB, whose contract to manage the bar and clubhouse is extended to October 2028.
Local caterer, and former SCHC player, Marc Norton will oversee this season’s hockey teas, with MAB providing catering for Sunday and mid-week hockey games.
Next year’s Gala Ball is on Saturday 8th May 2027 at Aston Wood Golf Club, save the date!
Other social dates will be published soon. Please get in touch if you have suggestions for hockey socials.

Kit

We have signed a further 3 year contract with Speed One Sports and Mizuno, with positive feedback from players and families about the Mizuno kit.
Please continue to email kit@suttoncoldfieldhc.co.uk with any playing kit requests. [The deadline for ordering replacement shirts retaining your current shirt number is 14 September.]
Order off-pitch items from Speed One Sports: https://speedonesports.com/sutton-coldfield-hockey-club/.

Talent Academy

Thank you to Steve Russell (TA Director) and his coaching teams for their work stretching and supporting the Talent Academy athletes. Assessments are now underway for the 26/27 season.

AOB

Thanks to everyone who helped organise and attended summer hockey sessions - Flyerz, Junior and Club Sunday Fun sessions were enjoyed by everyone involved, with large numbers attending.
The Welcome Back Evening on Wednesday 2nd September, 6-8pm at the Clubhouse, is a drop in event for members to ask questions. Find out about ways you might volunteer, about transition, hear about the new rules and there will be the chance to order/purchase kit. Committee roles and communication channels will be shared, and subsequently displayed in the clubhouse / included on SCHC’s website.
There will be an Umpires Event on Monday 28th September. Full information will be sent out via Pitchero.,
ANPR cameras will be in place at Wyndley from the start of September. You will need to enter your registration inside the leisure centre, to get 4 hours free parking. We are seeking clarity for how it will operate for coaches/officials that are sometimes at Wyndley for longer than 4 hours
England Hockey Hub: Information about coaching, umpiring, junior development is available. Registration is free for individuals on EH’s Hockey Hub: https://hockeyhub.englandhockey.co.uk/register

Dates of Core Committee Meetings for 2026/27 Season:-

Upcoming Meetings:-