Oxford Hockey Club General Committee
The OHC officers for 2011/12 are as follows:
Mike Corran, head honcho
Chair – Mike Corran michaelcorran696 [at] btinternet.com
Mike’s job is “to make sure our club is the best it can be, as well as play for the Bulls and coach kids when I have some spare time!”
He has Teflon shoulders and is the king of delegation. Probably gets someone else to do his defending for him…
How to recognise – he’ll be the one providing helpful advice to umpires “who are a bit confused”.
Rich Beer, Chair of Vice
Vice-chair - Rich Beer (Beery) richbeer [at] btinternet.com
“I am Vice Chairman. Which basically means I do what Mike tells me to do. If I remember. I like to spend time with Alex as he makes me feel more organised. I am scared of how organised Claire and Paul are.”
How to recognise - most likely to be stood around pointing at people on the pitch telling them where to run to.
Expect to find one of these at your door, if your subs are late...
Treasurer – Paul Wilson (Wilbo) paul.c.wilson [at] btinternet.com or 077699 30428
Makes sure the club finances are sound and we don’t go bust, or make a large profit. Sees the main part of his role as “to be a complete pain in the neck for captains as finances are boring and they’d much rather be playing hockey!”
If you fancy a bit of fun, question his attention to detail… but beware the consequences. The man is 99% limbs. With the longest reach in the world he once made a tackle in a second team game at Wycombe when he was playing for the thirds at home.
How to recognise: simply don’t pay your subs on time and you’ll soon find out who he is!
Men's Chair, Alex - doesn't usually look this smart
Men’s Chair – Alex Cock – alex [at] oxfordhc.org or 07748 024032
Alex is in charge of keeping the men’s section in order. He has plenty of hockey playing, umpiring, coaching and committee experience. Probably the most laid back person you’ll ever meet. Adept at juggling young son, hockey stick and pint of beer on Saturdays.
How to recognise: unless he’s just had a hair cut, it’s pretty hard to miss that hair and beard.
Lucy, a fan of unusual pre-match snacks
Ladies’ Chair – Lucy Eddowes
Lucy heads up the Ladies’ playing committee so she’s in charge of keeping all parts of the Ladies’ section organised. However, the committee is managing to do most of that themselves! She is also the Ladies’ fixtures secretary, but is looking for a willing volunteer to take over…
How to recognise: she’s wearing number 17 this season.
Men's Club Captain, Steve Pritchard
Men’s Club Captain – Steve Pritchard mensclubcapt [at] oxfordhc.org or 07921 662236
“As Club Captain it is my responsibility to make sure everyone gets the most they can out of the club. My main role is to welcome new players to the club, and to introduce them to the right captains and people within the club to make sure they get a game on Saturday and get to know people at training. I’m also an independent person to talk to if someone doesn’t feel they can approach their captain with any particular problem, and provide backup to the team captains when they need it. This year I am being ably assisted by Mark Hooper who will provide a friendly face for all the former City of Oxford players who may not have met me yet!”
How to recognise: most likely to be found in the bar after a game, winning the D.O.T.D. award for his team (Cheers guys)!
Ladies' Club Captain, Helen
Ladies’ Club Captain – Helen Dudgeon – dudgeonh [at] yahoo.co.uk or 07941 052609
Helen helps to ensure that the ladies’ section runs smoothly, that players are playing for the right team, new players are welcomed and everyone is generally happy! Together with her vice club captain, Emma Forrester, Helen ensures that the women’s teams are organised with military precision and one very big spreadsheet.
Helen is also captain of one of our girls’ development sides and oversees and encourages the progression of junior players into the senior teams.
How to recognise: she’s the wall-like presence at the back for the ladies’ 5s!
Director of Hockey - Colin Toms
Director of Hockey – Colin Toms colin.toms [at] ntlworld.com
“As Director of Hockey, I am trying (very at times) to make sure all the coaches and umpires are singing from the same hymn sheet delivering the best standard possible to all our members. I am also aiming to give as many opportunities as possible for members to develop as coaches and umpires to improve our club further.”
Colin has extremely thick skin which comes from being an appointed umpire, but is not deaf just ignoring you… Ever enthusiastic, he once tried to train the ladies on a snow-covered pitch.
How to recognise: he’ll be the one without a hockey stick, shouting the loudest.
Currently eluding our photographers, this was the closest we could get to John
Junior Chair – John Dykes – jtdykes [at] hotmail.co.uk or 07786 548188
Together with Nick, John co-ordinates the huge junior section of the club (from age 6 up), as well as doing a lot of coaching of both juniors and the ladies and having a special interest in teas.
Behind the relaxed persona lies one of the most competitive people you’ll ever meet. Has relegated Beery from any future negotiating situations given his woeful recent efforts…
How to recognise: try saying “Mmm these are good pancakes” in Brookes bar – he’ll be the one replying, “They’re not pancakes; they’re crepes!”
Jnr Development / Dir of Hockey, Nick Malden
Junior Development / Junior Director of Hockey – Nick Malden n.malden [at] gmail.com or 07889 693030
Trying to improve the consistency and quality of coaching across all age groups. “So if you think that ‘posting up to drag back then rolling out before getting high’ is something to do at a party, think again!”
Literally the nicest man in the world. Ever. Developed a generation of great hockey players from Rover (and Matt Fisher).
How to recognise: he’s probably the one shouting “Move it on!”
The extremely sociable Hannah Godfrey
Social Secretary – Hannah Godfrey - hannah342868 [at] yahoo.co.uk or 07790 474692
Provides us with a busy social calendar. Hannah displays frighteningly organised tendencies (socially).
She organised the Royal Wedding in 2011. Has already got the venue booked for the OHC Centenary Dinner in 2111.
How to recognise: often to be found protesting that there’s nothing funny about her car.
Claire Hooper, the Max Clifford for OHC
Communications Secretary – Claire Hooper – clairemhooper [at] yahoo.co.uk or 07855 546879
Largely responsible for all those annoying hockey club emails and Facebook messages you get bombarded with… Also gets to write things on the website and try to make friends with the local media.Currently displaying an enjoyably surreal sense of humour involving labradors and socks. But not being investigated by RSPCA (yet).
How to recognise: frequently accompanied by noisy Airedale Terrier, who looks like one of those dogs you had on wheels as a child.
Partnership Manager – Chris Way
Still not exactly sure about what it was that he was volunteered to do, which might explain why he hasn’t given us any words for the website yet…
Mixed Chair – Paul Wilson – paul.c.wilson [at] btinternet.com (see above)
OHC members – please note that there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in all sorts of non-elected roles and have your say about how the club runs. You could, for example, help organise social events, write for the website / get involved with our social media, help co-ordinate umpires, volunteer as a coach, and much more! Please contact the relevant person above or Mike Corran, if you’d like to find out more.
