HNNL December 2004 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
December 2004 Series 29 No 6

Sports


HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
Phase two of the Development Project has now started after Sport England agreed to release £75,000 of grant funding.
This phase will see the construction of a floodlit Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) on the site of the old tennis courts and a new, multi sport wall and surface adjacent.
The MUGA will have an astro turf surface and will be able to accommodate a range of activities including 5 a-side football, netball, basketball, Kwik cricket and hockey. This facility has long been needed in the village and will enable on site training to take place rather then teams having to hire expensive facilities out side the village.
The MUGA and Playwall should be completed early in the New Year, subject to kind weather.
The new sports wall will also have a new tarmac surface and will be provided with sports markings and a basketball ring and board.
The pavilion is still awaiting a funding decision from the Football Foundation. The Club should have heard in September, but a review of Foundation funding arrangements meant that this was delayed. Full plans of the new pavilion have been drawn up and planning permission is in place. We just wait the decision coming through.
November 6th saw the Club host a 10th anniversary of the National Lottery event and receive a cheque presentation from Sport England. A number of new activities including indoor bowls, hockey and netball were staged and enjoyed by children and parents alike.
Subject to when this newsletter hits your door mat the Club will be about to/has just enjoyed a musical evening with the Blue Meanies on 4th December. Check notices for ticket availability.
There's always plenty happening. Why not come and take a look? Existing and new Club members always welcome.

HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB (SENIOR SECTION)
Since contributing my article for the last Newsletter, things have continued to progress most satisfactorily for the Club in lots of ways. First and foremost, the First Team went on a nine match unbeaten run in league matches and, at the time of going to print, has lost only once in that competition since the two opening consecutive defeats at the beginning of the season. What that means is that the lads have now gelled into a well organised unit, with a tight defence and a potent forward line, in which centre forward, Richard Northover has been outstanding, not only in the number of goals he has scored but also in his holding up of the ball and laying it off for other players. Currently, we are now in the upper half of the table and feel, on our day, that we are capable of being a match for any team in the division.
Apart from the performances on the pitch, it is encouraging to note the camaraderie among all the players which has been engendered by the management team of Anton Sambrook, Ben Spiero (First Team), Adrian White and Mark Willis (Second Team). The on-going liaison and cooperation between the managers has meant that regular second team players know that, if they have the ability, they will be considered for inclusion in the First Team whilst, conversely, regular First Team players recognise and accept that they may be included in the Second Team if their form dips or in the event that they may need to reach proper match fitness after a lay off through injury. Over and above this aspect, the elevation of some of our young players to the senior teams has been a revelation. Special mention should be given to four 16 years' old players who now feature regularly in either or both the First and Second Teams; they are Robin Scotter, who has already scored 3 goals for the First Team, Chris Manderson, Josh Forde and goalkeeper Bill Johnson. Well done lads; keep it up! If ever there was need for proof of the value of the Senior and Junior Clubs merging, then the achievements of these 4 talented young men, as well as others in the fold, is surely it.

The Second Team, not least because it frequently has to be a feeder source for the First Team, continues to struggle in the Reserve Section of the league but of one thing there is absolutely no doubt: this team, with few exceptions, is very young and inexperienced and will only get better, not only as this season progresses but also during next season, provided we can keep them all together. The Club is grateful to Adi and 'Wilf' for nurturing these players along and, whilst their efforts tend to be unrewarded at the moment, this will inevitably change. Watch this space!
Finally, it is nice also to record the increasing involvement of local families in the exploits of both our senior and junior teams. In this respect, the Club was extremely grateful to Tim Burchell for so generously sponsoring a recent match and those present at the match could not help but notice the sheer joy on the face of young Adam Burchell on being First Team mascot for the day and on leading the 'Brewery Boys' out onto the pitch, whilst regaled in the Number 18 shirt! Hopefully, the time will come when this Junior Footballer, also, will eventually make the First Team. Keep supporting us and our Junior Footballers. Your support, in turn, is much appreciated.
Geoff 'Jesse' James Club Secretary
The 10,000 steps campaign – are you doing yours?


Walking is emerging as the number one health activity for the nation.
Some facts from health expert Dr. David Ashton in the current edition of “Walk” magazine [Ramblers Association]

Interesting facts for us in Hooky – to help us make that target.......!
How many steps is it from your front door.. to the Village Shop?
to the Post Office?
to the School?
to the Doctor's Surgery?

Health Walks starting and ending at the Surgery in Bourne Lane continue to take place

In December there will be a new rota. We are holding a meeting at the Sun on 28th September at 8pm. to discuss which walks to put on and when. Do come and join us and give us feedback/new ideas.

Alternatively please help us make times/days more accessible to those interested by filling in the short questionnaire below and posting it at Bourne Lane Surgery.


Preferred day Time
Length of walk Level of difficulty
Any comments  
   
Name Phone number

Olwen Goodwin