President’s Address - Season 2023/24.

Welcome back everybody, both returning members and new members. It’s been great to see everyone back on the pitch as both senior and junior hockey has kicked off for another exciting season of hockey.

It’s set to be an exciting season in Bray Hockey Club as our both our ladies and men’s 1sts are playing in Div 1 of their respective Leinster leagues. Our ladies’ 2nds-4ths teams and men’s 2nds & 3rds will again take part in Leinster League and Cup competitions, and our Vets will again compete in their Vet’s League. Best of luck to all our coaches and managers over the coming season.

I am delighted to have such high calibre coaches throughout the Club, and I’d particularly like to welcome new coaches Ronan Hickey and Johnny Harty to the club, along with welcoming back all our other coaches, namely Nasir Chaudry and Robin Le Quesne. We also have some young coaching talent coming through the club ranks with Saoirse Guilfoyle, Jason Collins and Jack Lacey-Curtis taking on senior coaching roles on the ladies’ side.

I am delighted that Eoin Murphy and Rebecca Dowling have agreed to be your Club Captains this season. Both are great club members, who are passionate about everything in the club, and I look forward to working closely with them.

Special mention to Michelle Lambert and John Lush for the super work they continue to do in the Junior Club. Our Junior section is now recognised as being one of the largest and best run Junior Clubs in Leinster. Best wishes to all the Junior Coaches, Managers and Volunteer Parents who all work extremely hard behind the scenes. Bray is very lucky to have such great people giving their time and talents to the club.

We also have long time club member Niamh Breathnach stepping into the Vice-President’s role, to help guide our wonderful Club Committee to another successful season for Bray Hockey Club.

I have been a player and member of Bray for 15 years now, and I’ve seen the club go through ups and downs, but I feel the club is now on a very strong footing and looking to cement its place in the higher echelon of Leinster hockey. With our home-grown talent now filling our senior teams, and providing players to the Leinster representative teams, the investment made in the development of our junior section is really starting to pay dividend.

Now is the time to double-down on all the amazing work done by so many people over the last 30 years and continue the club’s growth. Whilst the new pitch in Temple Carrig is delayed until next spring, we are continuing to fundraise to provide much needed investment in our coaches and equipment, which is significant for a club of over 750 members. As costs for all clubs and businesses continue to rise, we are looking at ways to supplement our club’s income without raising membership rates. Amongst many fundraising initiatives, we are starting a Bray Hockey Club Lotto, which will provide entertainment and great cash prizes. I urge all members and parents/family of our junior members, to join in the fun of the Club Lotto and help your club move forward.

So, I ask you all to get involved in whatever way you can over the coming season. Be it playing, volunteering to help manage or coach a junior team, attending our fundraising events or sponsoring the club; we welcome any and all help you can give and hope that you feel part of something special.

Looking forward to seeing you all out there.

Your Club President.

Steven Jones.