PHOTOGRAPH = (L-R) Janice Vaughan, Chloe Brown,Caroline Adams, Naomi Elliott, Naomi McKnight, Katy Bennett, Heather McClurg, Lynn Mills FIXTURES SENIOR CLUB Fixtures for the end of the week: To follow. CLUB NOTES LONDON 2012 - OLYMPICS Lynda Robinson, Ards Ladies HC Primary Coach and our very own Chloe Brown from the 1st XI visited Greece to travel back with the Olympic Torch. Chloe was one of 5 young UK sports people travelling back from Greece on the specially painted plane that landed tonight with the Olympic Flame. Lynda and Chloe travelled back with David Becham, Princess Anne, Seb Coe and Boris Johnston. The news bulletin link is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18080622 You can catch a special show tomorrow night on BB1's The One Show. Ards Ladies Hockey Club - Awards Night Ards 1st xi players are in action this weekend with a critical game against Galway side Greenfields to be staged in neutral territory in Dublin on Saturday afternoon. The prize for victory is a place in next seasons IHL (Irish Hockey league) which is confined to only the top performing club sides in each of the four provinces. The girls and their coaching team have been working for this since the end of the provincial season in late March. Should the team not get the result they need on Saturday there is one more chance on Sunday to play against Dublin side Hermes for the ‘wild card’ place. This game would on paper be a very difficult encounter as Hermes now have their 5 Irish internationals back into their side following the end of their commitment to the Olympic Qualifying programme. Consequently we all hope that their efforts will be rewarded with a good result on Saturday. On Friday 11th May Ards Ladies gathered for their Annual General Meeting and with business on the Agenda sorted relatively quickly attention turned to the Awards for the 2011-2012 season. The Player of the Year trophies were given out by coaches and captains with explanations as to how the decisions were reached. Some of the other awards are more variable in their origins but reflect some of the fabulous work and support that goes on behind the scenes to help Ards run five senior and five junior teams throughout the season. Those that are more straightforward to measure include the team with the best defensive record and the coveted Top Goalscorer trophy which contains some notable names over the years since Iris Wright presented it back in 1978. This years award winners were as follows: 1st XI Player Of the Year – Chloe Brown, recently selected for the Irish Under 18 squad and part of the successful NI team at the pre-Olympic UK Games. 2nd XI Player Of the Year – Hannah Simpson, star goalkeeper and key influence with younger goalies as coach and mentor. 3rd XI Player Of the Year – Zoe Bronkhorst, very steady and astute sweeper 4th XI Player Of the Year – Maggie and Laura Sinnamon, mum and daughter combination who had a ball on this winning team. 5th XI Player Of the Year – Jenna Frazer, recent graduate from Junior club who has continued to develop her skills as a goalscorer. Most Improved Junior player – Frankie Brown, second year in a row for this award as she ended up commanding a starting role in premier hockey with the 1st XI. Most Improved Senior player – Naomi McKnight, Goalkeeper who endured illness and injury in her second season with the club but still managed to star for the Ulster Under 21 team and win her first Irish trial at this level. Club Member of the Year – Caroline Adams, who plays, umpires, coaches and runs exciting social events on behalf of the club Kennedy Cup – Paula Hooker, Goalie with the best defensive record but essentially our silent voice behind the numerous texts and communication that keeps our Ravenhill association ticking over. Spirit of the Club – Elaine Larmour, with a leading managerial influence in the Junior club, she also helps on a regular basis with senior club activities including umpiring. Elaine has three daughters all promising club players in their own right. Best Defensive record – 4th XI The team who won their league with points to spare only conceded 8 goals all season. Top Goalscorer – Chloe Brown and Claire Briggs – shared the trophy which is always a closely guarded secret until the last minute. To see a more substantial report go to Match Reports tab. SOCIAL NEWS SENIOR CLUB Ards Leisure Centre on Thursday 6.30-8.00pm. Everyone is welcome!! Ards Junior Members FIXTURES JUNIOR CLUBTuesday 27th March marked the last night of Junior hockey on the pitch but players, parents and friends are all encouraged to attend the Awards Presentation Night on Tuesday 24th April at Clandeboye Golf Club beginning at 7.30pm sharp. Details on website and Facebook. Sunday 25th March 2012 Ards Under 11s at Lisnagarvey (Morning) Ards Under 13s at Lisnagarvey (Afternoon) See match reports under Junior Match Report's Tab *************** Training commenced for Junior members on Tuesday 20 September at Ards Leisure Centre. Primary, U12 and U13 training is at 7.00pm with Under 14 & 15s following at 8.00pm. Remember fees are due asap. If possible please have your fees in an envelope clearly marked with your name and how much you are paying. Under 15s may choose to train with the senior club on a Thursday night when you turn 15 years during the season. Juniors please note if anyone is finished with kit that is too small for them this season please speak to Lynn Long or Helen Frazer on a Tuesday evening as we would like to start and pass down items of second hand kit to some of the new primary players at a reduced cost. So you will also get some money back too once the items are sold on!!!! CLUB TRAININGEvery Thursday 6.30-8.00pm at Ards Leisure Centre - everyone welcome. Juniors every Tuesday 7.00-8.30pm at Ards Leisure Centre HOME MATCHESHome matches every Saturday at Ards Leisure Centre 2.30pm-5.00pm at Ards Leisure Centre – all support welcome, why not come down to watch. | 
