Straight in at the deep end.

This team don't know each other with lots of new faces!

Some psyc safety discussion from Mr Halliday and we were into our first hockey session brushing off the cobwebs from a summer of little hockey for most. Learning some new principles of play; learning some new names; learning how each other player all jam packed into 90 mins of training.

Lunch at Waterloo Ducks Hockey CLub and then back to rest before we played our first game.

First game was against Leopold Girls U19. A stunning Belgian Club just outside Brussels city centre. It was a baptism of fire - new team, new structure and new positions for many, playing against a team who know each other and play regularly together. We struggled the first half and made a lot of mistakes but just as Mr Halliday team building exercises had shown us failure is how we learn. So getting it wrong actually helped us to get it right, the most important was the energy and attitude with which we did that to turn it around in the second half. So frist half lost 6-0 second half won 2-1. Quite a difference and a very steep learning curve for many.

Values awards:

Relentless - Holly - our first goal was a very impressive counter attack that ended up with two or three shots that their GK made some excellent saves but the relentlessness of Holly meant it finally reached the back of the net.

Bravery - India - new position for her this season and a key one - distributing CB. India has a very impressive aerial overhead ball, but can also play on the floor with hard disguised slaps and accurate push pass into midfield the combination of all three means she can be deadly on outlet. As asked she tried all of the above and made some fantastic plays. Plus scored our second goal with a drag flick in the second half.

Engaged - Alex - One of the oldest in the team now, she really took on board her senior position and lead from the front. Her passion, enthusiasm, work ethic was impressive. She finds it easy to take on board the tactical play that we make so she was leading and orgainsing others and engaged the whole group.

MVP (most valued player) - Sophie - despite not being able to play on tour due to injury she took over the responsibility of subbing during the game and made an excellent job. She was really diligent in her work and the bench ran really smoothly because of this.

Post match - Leo provided a meal for us. All 27 of us at the table enjoying dinner in a beautiful environment with gorgeous weather. What more could we have asked for!

Thank you to Leo for hosting us.