Island management has gaps to fill in first team

THE Guernsey Hockey Association has struck a new and improved deal with main sponsors Investec. With the 2006-7 season looming large on the horizon, the company has agreed to continue to support the hockey in the island for the next three years.

'We are absolutely delighted that Investec wish to continue to be associated with hockey,' said GHA president Jason Robilliard.

'The relationship has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we hope this will continue to go forward. This is an exciting time for the sport and we are determined to build on what has been achieved so far.'

While the number one target for both men and women is to beat Jersey in March in the Investec inter-island competitions, there is plenty for them to focus on between now and then.

The senior men will be looking to put behind them last year's disappointing early exit at the hands of Staines in the HA Trophy and progress to the later stages of the competition as they had done in previous years.

The return of Andy Whalley should give the team a boost, although coach Nick Mahy and manager Andy Graham will be looking to replace a number of players who are no longer in the island.

Nic and Jamie Chambers will be particularly missed, with Nic's goal scoring prowess and Jamie's cool head at the back having been instrumental in last season's inter-insular victory.

Mark Babbe and Damian Wallen will be unavailable for part of the season and this will give some of the island's talented youngsters a chance to force their way into the first team squad.

The island women will also be looking to improve on last year's performance against Jersey and their season kicks off with a weekend of matches against top UK side Clifton Ladies.

'This is going to be quite a test for our side,' said island women's coach Jan Collins.

'It will give our players a gauge as to what level they need to be playing at by the end of the season.

'We have had so many close calls in recent years and we are determined that this year the trophy will be staying in Guernsey.'

Clifton will be visiting the island the weekend after next.

Carrying on from last year's success, the following weekend sees the second 'Independents' Day' and this year's theme will be mixed hockey.

'We thought we would try something different this year,' said Independents captain Stuart Mauger.

'Mixed hockey is always fun and played in good spirit. With dinner at the Sawatdi to follow, this should be an excellent day for everyone.'

Robilliard also confirmed that the men's division one was to stay split into two with a competition before Christmas with four teams and then with five teams after the holidays.

There had been talk of expanding the number of sides involved.

'We did consider ways in which we could increase the first division but we have stayed with the status quo for this season,' he said.

'Obviously we will continue to listen to any ideas put forward and give them due consideration.'