Well we are at the business end of the season and continue on our warpath and continue to scalp teams as we are growing and getting stronger, with results that most Clubs could only dream about and would wish for. We have managed to continue in the rich run of form and not one team At Whitley currently lies below 4^th place in there respective league. As a club we have played 53 games in total so far and only lost 9 games all season. I have seen a massive change in the club in my 2^nd season but not just on Ice where the results have been exceptional, but how players now understand the way the game should be played and in what spirit. How they understand and feel pride in the shirt they wear come game day, I know people think that a set of socks and a white helmet does not mean much to a team but when you see all the players out on the Ice all wearing there club colours I think it does make a difference in how this Club of ours is viewed by others and I say this without fear of contradiction that we are envied by many other Hockey Clubs right now. We dress to impress and to be part of a team, to make the team, individuals do not exist in our Teams as a uniform says it all for all who are in the team. We are all disciplined now as a club on Ice during games with only 17 Penalty Points in Total for all the Whitley Bay Ice Hockey Club ( Junior Development) so far this Season. We are ready to play every game and win lose or draw you are going to have a very tough game playing against any team fromWhitleyBay. Our Wig Wam has become a huge place of pride and the biggest change to our Hockey Club, with 10s 12s 14s and 16s all undefeated at home and that is a huge turn around from last Season as a club and this is a sure sign that things are very positive with all the Teams playing with pride and a will not to be beaten and if we are giving anything up to visitors then you are going to have to work dam hard to take anything from us in our Wig Wam.

I feel all of Whitley Bay members have made things change and there is a want or can do attitude to change things for the better for all at the Club with players, parents and Coaches buying into the new direction and new philosophy that I wanted to bring when asked to take this job on some 17 months ago. With change some times it brings uncertain times and things become unsettled and I know some players have moved on from Whitley Bay and I wish them luck with there new Teams and there future. I told everyone at my first meeting it would take five years to rebuild the Club from its position of all most not having Teams in league’s due to lack of numbers down at the bottom end. We are starting to see the benefit of what a learn to play program brings into the club as are numbers are growing  and Barbara is just about to manage to kit out all the kids that want to play the game at this beginners level. My biggest problem right now is finding enough Coaches to work with are learn to play but this is a good problem to have and is going to make a great future for the Club. All Teams now have good numbers and we are not shrinking as a club but growing steadily into a strong Club with a much stronger future.

I welcome our new Chairman Peter Head to the Club and know he will make a huge impact when he has settled and found his feet again. Pete brings a huge amount of knowledge from hockey but also how the EIHA works as he has been there and done that in a former life. He is also retuning to the Club to listen to its members and see what they want from the hockey club. So you will see him at games but possibly around on the odd training night when he will chew the fat with all or any parents over a beer or a cuppa. He will give much needed direction off Ice and lead the Club out of our current financial problems short term and long term we have to look forward into great times ahead. He knows this Club well and I wish him luck in his new role at the Club, I know he will not take long to get his feet under the table and start to move things on off Ice for the benefit to all its members and will bring much needed stability and guidance as we move forward.

We have positive news on the Coaching front as we have another 6 Coaches going on a level 1 Coarse this weekend down at Billingham and we still have more Coaches to do a level one in the summer. Congratulations go to Naz Ryder on gaining his level 2 Coaching Qualification and can now take on a bigger role in the future as we grow and as he develops his skills as a Coach. More positive news for the Club on the player front we as a Club have produced players to play in every National Team this Season and this includes U13s U14s U15s and has 3 players inEngland16s this Season this is also an exceptional achievement for our Club and something we should be very proud of. Some Clubs never manage to get any players into National Teams but we are a club that can produce the right quality players to compete at the highest level and this does not happen by accident but through good Coaching and hard work by the players. Things have changed and will change as I try and get more Ice off Mr Smith so as a Club all the players benefit. As all our Teams are going forward and as they make the final push in there League’s I wish them luck and will make sure they continue to work hard on and off Ice. I hope to have news of not only Teams that are competitive but have won the Leagues later as we close and go to the end of the Season. Mischiefs U10s are winning the league at this present time. Arrows U12s are just about home as League Winners. Mohawks 14s and Braves are fighting at the top end of there leagues. Tomahawks U16s are fighting for League Winners spot yet again this season after the last seasons League and National double Winning Team.

So a lot of positives going on right now for all our Teams and more so our Club…. as we are moving forward and in the right direction. I hope we can finish on a high as we start to close out to the end of the Season and we all have a great deal to look forward to. I ask everyone to enjoy the rest of the season support all our Teams and be loud and proud come game day.

Have Fun and be Happy……

MICK.