HNNL June 2003 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
June 2003 Series 28 No 3

Sports and Social



HOOK NORTON JUNIOR TENNIS CLUB
Learn to play or improve your tennis skills at an After School Tennis Club

  • Tuesday and Thursday
  • Commencing week of 2nd June
  • 7 week course
  • 6 – 8 year olds 4 – 5 p.m.
  • 9 – 11 year olds 5 – 6 p.m.
  • £21 for members
  • £24.50 for non-members
  • Annual junior membership £10
  • Coaching by Karen Taylor (Tuesday) and Steve Ashby (Thursday)
  • Coaching, fun, games and competitions
  • Rackets available for use if required
To enrol or for details contact Rebecca Watts


HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
Whoever would have thought it possible? I am of course, referring to our First Team's amazing feat of reaching the Final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and then competing in it at no less a revered venue as Oxford United's Kassam Stadium!
What an evening that was. It seemed that nearly all the Village was there and the atmosphere was electric. In a crowd of just under 700 people, it seemed that over 400 of them were rooting for Hooky, including Chris Moore from Torex PLC and our President, David Clarke from Hook Norton Brewery. Both these Companies are of course, our main sponsors. Whilst the end result, as we now all know, was heartbreaking for the gallant Brewery Boys, it has to be said that, on the night Hooky won everything except the Cup itself! To come back into the match after losing a key player (Ben Spiero) with a serious injury on 10 minutes and then being 2-0 down on 20 minutes, is surely testimony to the character, determination, skill and commitment of Dave Risato's heroes. From that point onwards in the match, Hooky simply played their opponents from Ryman League Division 1 (North) off the park! The immense pride we all felt when our Boys clawed back the first goal just before half time and then, so gloriously, equalised with a 30 yards' shot from Cliff Cousins, which flew like a rocket into an unsuspecting net, was absolutely unbelievable. You had to be there to really appreciate it!
Suffice to say the Stadium erupted when the equaliser came with just 10 minutes of full time remaining. As the match went into 30 minutes extra time with the golden goal rule applying, it looked as if there could be only one winner- Hooky! Sadly, it was not to be as Oxford City grabbed the clinching goal with just 3 minutes of extra time remaining. The goal followed the award to our opponents of what we considered to be a dubious free kick. Well, we would have, wouldn't we!? After the match, it was Hooky who took most of the plaudits, and deservedly so!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the rest of the 39 weeks of the season were pretty good, also! The First Team's elevation to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League saw them finish in a very creditable 12th position, after a somewhat nervous start.
Without doubt, the standard of football in this Division is noticeably higher. As a result, it is perhaps true to say that both on and off the field of play, we have undoubtedly been on a steep learning curve but we have progressed which augers well for the future.
As has been well documented in the local press, Dave 'Rizzy' Risato has decided to stand down as Manager, to take a well earned rest. 'Rizzy' has done magnificently for us over the past two seasons and without doubt, we owe much to him for Hooky's recent meteoric rise into the Non League Football Pyramid. He will be a hard act to follow but that is the task which John 'Evo' Evans is now embarking upon following his recent popular appointment. Let's not forget also, Second Team Manager Adrian White and his hardworking team of players whose commitment to the Club is vital and is much appreciated by us all. They finished in a worthy 5th position in their league and deserve great praise. Finally it would be remiss of me if I didn't make reference to the sterling efforts over the years of our hardworking Secretary, Dave MacFarlane who, like 'Rizzy', has decided to step down. Dave 'Mac' has undeniably been the 'backbone' of this Club for many years. His knowledge, devotion and untiring energy will be sorely missed. Finally, with Season 2002/3 now slipping below the horizon, it's time for celebration, fun and laughter at next week's End of Season Dinner. Cheerio, for now!
Geoff 'Jesse' James


HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT
By the time this edition of the Village Newsletter is read, it is expected that the Project will have received notification from Sport England as to whether a grant is going to be awarded. The Project Committee remains optimistic, having spent a great deal of time developing the plans with the Lottery Officer.
However, recent changes to Sport England as an organisation and the reduction in amount of money they have available to distribute to 'Good Causes', will have a bearing on whether Hook Norton will be successful.
Whilst we wait for Sport England's decision, the Project Committee continue to develop the project plans and to submit funding applications. We are well on course for Phase One (three new tennis courts, Multi use Games Area and new football pitch), and subject to planning approvals for the ground levels and temporary access, anticipate starting these this summer.
The Project Committee is considering how best to 'manage' this part of the development and are looking to appoint a Project manager to handle the contracts and the day to day issues that inevitably arise with this type of work. A current issue is the best means of temporary construction access to achieve the minimum disruption to the normal activities that happen at the club, as well as to the village in general. Again, by the time of reading, a decision should have been reached, and this will be made known via the village notice boards and the Project file in the library.
Phase Two, the new pavilion, is very much dependent on raising sufficient funds and hence the importance of the Sport England Lottery. The Project committee over recent meetings has been exploring alternative designs and a reduction in pavilion size, as well as modular building construction to try and reduce costs. There is more work to be done on this. A final decision will be made in the Autumn.
The support of the village remains an important aspect of the Project. Full details of proposals are maintained in the library.
New village funding initiatives will be launched this year, including; 'Sponsor a Tree' and 'Buy a Brick'. The Project Bonds will also be available again for anyone interested in donating funds to the scheme.
The Project Committee is also following closely the Senior Football Clubs appeal process in connection with floodlights and spectator facilities for the football pitch.
Project Committee Hook Norton Sports and Social Club