As the 24/25 season is well underway, I thought it would be helpful to provide everyone with an update on what activity has been taking place behind the scenes. Before turning to that, we have seen some excellent results on the pitch for both our 1XIs. Our youthful ladies team is staying in contention at the upper end of the National League and remain the only side to have taken points off the league leaders. Our mens 1XI is continuing the rebuilding work and currently sits top of their league. However, hockey is not just about our 1XIs. We are putting out 7 adult sides each week and with our mixed bag of results, it is encouraging to see so many players take to the pitch for pure enjoyment each week. Can I encourage club members to come to Meggetland, or even take in the odd away fixture, to support our teams. While there, you can take advantage of our discount available from Canalside.

Off the pitch, the management committee meets monthly. We held our first general committee meeting since the pandemic at Canalside and it was great to have that wider range of views to inform our discussions. I want to emphasise that EHC is your club. The committee does not have a monopoly on ideas, especially good ones, so if you have an idea for what the club can do, please get in touch with me.

We have seen some success in attracting new sponsors since the end of our association with Cala. In fact, we have raised more sponsorship money and donations this year than we did last year. In return, it would be great to support our new sponsors by using their restaurants for nights out. Ronaq in Stockbridge serves excellent Indian food. Perhaps more for our younger members, there’s Hollywood Burgers & Shakes in Dalry Road and Musselburgh; Our Vice-President, Marty Stronach has road tested what they offer. Marty approves!

We're also delighted that Simple Life are supporting our Participation for All programme with an annual sponsorship relationship.

The committee is dealing with a lot at the minute, but the following gives you a flavour of what we are working on:

Scottish Hockey registrations
How to spend the increased sponsorship money (wisely I will add)
Increasing social activity for players and members
Governance of the club, including use of a sports club consultant to make things better
Increasing integration within the club, creating a more inclusive and engaging environment
Once again, please input ideas where you have them, ask questions when you have them and thank you for playing, watching, driving and everything else that makes us operate as a club.

Phil
EHC President