President's Report 2011
The 2010/11 season was one of rich success at all levels of OUHC, with strong performances being recorded across the board in both the University and Club Leagues. Particular mention is due to the Infrequents and the Hos - who both gained promotion - and to the Men's Blues, who achieved a record-high finish in both their leagues. These achievements were reinforced by an excellent set of results in the Varsity Matches: 4 wins and 1 draw out of the 6. Off the pitch, the club's thriving social scene has continued apace, from the glorious if somewhat hazy Saturday nights up at Vinnie's to the raucous Christmas and End of Season Dinners. That our teams continue to be among the most sought-after crew dates in Oxford - even, bafflingly, the Men's Blues - is testament to our reputation for fun (provided it's of the organised kind of course).
Perhaps still drunk with the success of silverware from the pre-season trip to Barcelona, the Men's Blues made a somewhat sluggish start to their season. However, a relentless second half of season fight-back more than made up for lost time, with the above-mentioned results, and the team's newfound confidence under the calm leadership of CJ Cowan shone through in a convincing 5-2 Varsity win at Southgate. Adam Jordan deserves particular mention for finishing as League top-scorer with 30 goals, heading off the likes of ex-England drag-flicker Calum Giles. The Occasionals similarly took a while to find their feet, but by January had gelled superbly as a unit, recording emphatic victories against the likes of Wimbledon, and leading coach Rupert Barker to comment that he'd never seen better hockey from any Oxford side. They were unfortunate to be edged out in the final of the Midlands Conference Cup, and went down to a well-drilled Cambridge side, but achieved a comprehensive promotion in their BUCS League. The Infrequents managed to achieve both of their season goals in some style, romping to promotion in their Saturday league, and finally putting to bed their recent Varsity gremlins with a well-deserved 2-0 win.
The Women's Blues, faced with two highly competitive leagues, did well to secure safe positions in both by the end of the season. The Varsity Match was a nervy affair, but a closely contested 1-1 draw meant that captain Becci Carpenter and her team were able to extend Oxford's hold over the Cup to an impressive seventh year running. With a healthy majority of the team staying on next year, they will certainly be looking to work their way up the league tables. True to form, the Monkeys achieved another solid mid-table position in their Saturday league, and in BUCS were unlucky to narrowly miss out on promotion. Disappointment at this was soon dispelled, however, with a crushing 5-1 defeat of Cambridge - the biggest margin of victory in any Varsity match for some years - leading to possibly the most extravagant bout of "monkey-bumming" that the club has ever known. Finally, the Hos continued to make a mockery of their Saturday league, finishing with a fairly staggering goal difference of 174, and averaging just shy of 10 goals per game. They also fought hard to successfully stay up in a tough BUCS division, and recorded a strong 2-0 Varsity win.
Looking ahead to next season, there's plenty to be excited about. The Infrequents enter BUCS for the first time, meaning that all six teams in the club will now be competing twice a week throughout the season. Look for them to be posting some seriously heavy victories in the next few years as they work their way up the leagues! October will also see the inauguration of the OUHC Academy, where Blues players will be helping to train an all-new development squad whose players will be looking to push up into the University teams. Finally, we will be looking to host some major alumni events, to keep old members involved in the club and to justify their continued interest.
There is no doubt in my mind that the club's success is down in no small part to its unique and special atmosphere. Fellow members are not merely team-mates on the pitch, but best mates off it. This close cohesion exists not only within individual teams, but across all six squads in the club. As a community, OUHC is every bit as important to its members as their College - if not substantially more so - and for leaving members it is without fail a source of many of their fondest memories of University life.
I'll round off with some words of thanks. To Aberdeen Asset Management, PWC and Ashurst for their generous sponsorship of the club. To our alumni, for whose continued support we are extremely grateful. To the Committee, whose efforts are so vital for the development and smooth running of the club. And finally to the team coaches for their energy and commitment, and in particular John Shaw, whose expertise and continued dedication combine to make him a tremendous asset to OUHC.
Here's looking forward to more success in 2011/12!
Alex Evans
OUHC President
Perhaps still drunk with the success of silverware from the pre-season trip to Barcelona, the Men's Blues made a somewhat sluggish start to their season. However, a relentless second half of season fight-back more than made up for lost time, with the above-mentioned results, and the team's newfound confidence under the calm leadership of CJ Cowan shone through in a convincing 5-2 Varsity win at Southgate. Adam Jordan deserves particular mention for finishing as League top-scorer with 30 goals, heading off the likes of ex-England drag-flicker Calum Giles. The Occasionals similarly took a while to find their feet, but by January had gelled superbly as a unit, recording emphatic victories against the likes of Wimbledon, and leading coach Rupert Barker to comment that he'd never seen better hockey from any Oxford side. They were unfortunate to be edged out in the final of the Midlands Conference Cup, and went down to a well-drilled Cambridge side, but achieved a comprehensive promotion in their BUCS League. The Infrequents managed to achieve both of their season goals in some style, romping to promotion in their Saturday league, and finally putting to bed their recent Varsity gremlins with a well-deserved 2-0 win.
The Women's Blues, faced with two highly competitive leagues, did well to secure safe positions in both by the end of the season. The Varsity Match was a nervy affair, but a closely contested 1-1 draw meant that captain Becci Carpenter and her team were able to extend Oxford's hold over the Cup to an impressive seventh year running. With a healthy majority of the team staying on next year, they will certainly be looking to work their way up the league tables. True to form, the Monkeys achieved another solid mid-table position in their Saturday league, and in BUCS were unlucky to narrowly miss out on promotion. Disappointment at this was soon dispelled, however, with a crushing 5-1 defeat of Cambridge - the biggest margin of victory in any Varsity match for some years - leading to possibly the most extravagant bout of "monkey-bumming" that the club has ever known. Finally, the Hos continued to make a mockery of their Saturday league, finishing with a fairly staggering goal difference of 174, and averaging just shy of 10 goals per game. They also fought hard to successfully stay up in a tough BUCS division, and recorded a strong 2-0 Varsity win.
Looking ahead to next season, there's plenty to be excited about. The Infrequents enter BUCS for the first time, meaning that all six teams in the club will now be competing twice a week throughout the season. Look for them to be posting some seriously heavy victories in the next few years as they work their way up the leagues! October will also see the inauguration of the OUHC Academy, where Blues players will be helping to train an all-new development squad whose players will be looking to push up into the University teams. Finally, we will be looking to host some major alumni events, to keep old members involved in the club and to justify their continued interest.
There is no doubt in my mind that the club's success is down in no small part to its unique and special atmosphere. Fellow members are not merely team-mates on the pitch, but best mates off it. This close cohesion exists not only within individual teams, but across all six squads in the club. As a community, OUHC is every bit as important to its members as their College - if not substantially more so - and for leaving members it is without fail a source of many of their fondest memories of University life.
I'll round off with some words of thanks. To Aberdeen Asset Management, PWC and Ashurst for their generous sponsorship of the club. To our alumni, for whose continued support we are extremely grateful. To the Committee, whose efforts are so vital for the development and smooth running of the club. And finally to the team coaches for their energy and commitment, and in particular John Shaw, whose expertise and continued dedication combine to make him a tremendous asset to OUHC.
Here's looking forward to more success in 2011/12!
Alex Evans
OUHC President
