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Hockey Club Jake Ward Durham University Hockey Club Captain This season has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride for Durham University Hockey Club (DUHC), with great successes, near misses and fabulous escapes. At the start of the season we were in a unique position of having no coach, the new PlayerLayer kit contract, a sponsorship deal very much in the balance and two new 5th teams. Firstly, I must thank everyone who has helped along the way, and made a potentially very difficult season into a great one! The spirit and resilience shown this season, by everyone involved, epitomises just what it is about DUHC that you cannot put a price on. It is clear; the DUHC spirit that all past and present students know and love continues to make DUHC such a special club to be a part of. The appointment of Gareth Weaver-Tyler as head performance coach has had a great impact on the performance end of the club, and after a few difficult years of continual change, the club is moving in the right direction. DUHC continues to build and it is very reassuring that we may start to have some continuity, as Gareth has assured me that he is willing to take on a second season next year! However, as many people are aware, DUHC is far from a oneman band. Mike O’Neill and Gabby Foster
2014/15 - A Sporting Review
have both done a fantastic job in assisting Gareth on the men’s and women’s sides of the club respectively. Both 1st teams were extremely disappointed to miss out on the BUCS championship finals, with close losses in the semi-finals to eventual winners, but are pleased with mid table finishes in the national league.
Mark Galloway and Mollie Rawnsley have both done excellent jobs as 1st team captains, and both teams are shaping up to have very successful seasons next year. Exemplifying the strength of performance hockey, congratulations go to Mollie, Pippa Lewis, Laura Bevan and Juliette Inverdale for being selected for England U21s and Catriona McLellan for Scotland U21s. As