Taking over as Chair of Crawley Hockey Club is something I am incredibly proud of. Crawley has been a massive part of me settling into the area since leaving university, and I want to help build a club where everyone feels a strong sense of community and belonging.

Last season had its challenges, but there were also some fantastic highlights. Both women’s teams secured promotion—a brilliant result—while our men’s section remained competitive despite challenges with numbers and consistency. We also have a fantastic group of juniors coming through, with a number already making the step into senior hockey. All of this gives us a positive foundation to build from.

This season marks a new chapter. With a fresh committee and working groups already established, our focus is on getting back to basics and getting the foundations right.

We want Crawley to remain a community-run club that puts its members first. That means improving recruitment and retention, securing sponsorships, strengthening our internal structure, elevating the member experience, and remaining ambitious across all of our teams.

We can’t run before we can walk.

We see this as a three-to-five-year journey. The first phase is about bringing the love back to Crawley Hockey Club and creating a culture where everyone feels they belong—whether they’re playing, coaching, volunteering, socialising, or simply supporting from the sidelines.

Across our playing sections, we want everyone to enjoy their hockey and reach their potential:
• Men’s Section: Operating with three teams this season, led by Terry (Men’s Club Captain), Johnny (1s Captain), Scott (2s Captain), and Matt & Neil (3s Captains). This structure will provide greater consistency as we grow our playing numbers.
• Women’s Section: Led by Sara, Erin, and Hannah, looking to build on last season’s promotions and continue developing our strength and depth.
• Junior Section: Led by Indy and Erin, continuing to create pathways into senior hockey while ensuring our younger players get the support they need to develop and enjoy their game.

Off the pitch, Cassie is driving our social calendar with events like President’s Day, "back for teas", and regular socials. Please support these wherever you can.

Membership & Fees: We have introduced a range of membership options this season, including an early-bird all-inclusive membership covering subs, match fees, the Dinner Dance, and social events. This offer expires on 6th September, so please take advantage of it to get the best value possible (monthly payment options are also available). Match fees have increased slightly by 50p to £7.50 this season to cover rising operational costs.

On the commercial side, Alex Bryant is doing a fantastic job developing our sponsorship opportunities and is already in active discussions with several local organisations.

We are always looking for new members. Whether someone has played for years or has never picked up a stick, bring them along! Growing our membership is key to creating stronger teams, a thriving junior section, and a vibrant club environment.

Finally, none of this is possible without our volunteers. If you want to get involved—no matter how small the role—please get in touch. There is always a way to contribute.

Ultimately, I want Crawley to be a club where people feel valued, listened to, and respected, and where they genuinely enjoy being part of something special on and off the pitch.

Let’s get the foundations right, bring the love back to Crawley Hockey Club, and build something we can all be proud of.

I look forward to seeing everyone at President's Day on 5 September, or back on the pitch soon!

Kieran Nixon
Chairperson, Crawley Hockey Club