First team hailed for unbeaten home run
Club president backs men to continue success
History-makers at Perthshire Hockey have been hailed by the club’s president Gordon Loudon.
The men’s first team is reflecting on a year to remember after navigating through 2017 without losing a single match on home soil.
Perth players have turned their Kilgraston base into a fortress and, heading into the winter indoor season, sit second in the National League Division Two.
President Gordon has experienced the high and low moments during his time with the club and admits this is a special period to be witnessing.
He said: “I have been a member of the club since it was formed in 1975 and no team has played an entire calendar year and not lost a single home match.
“With the confidence they are showing at present there is no reason to doubt that they can complete this season without losing at home.
“In any team sport if you can turn your home turf into a fortress it gives you a solid base to build from.
“Teams know that they are in for a tough match when they head to Kilgraston.
“Part of the success is down to their never say never attitude and they believe that they can compete and beat any team.
“A bit like St Johnstone, they work their socks off for each other.”
Shire’s first team alongside president Gordon Loudon (centre) When outdoor action returns after reckon that it is at least 25 years since the winter break, Shire will take to the we graced the men’s national league field with dreams of bumping up to the division one. top division in Scotland. “I am confident this group of players
That is not out of reach, Gordon along with their coach Mitch could well believes, and he is backing the turn the clock back and achieve one of determined squad to continue their the goals in the development plan two rise up the hockey ladder. years earlier than planned.
“With being promoted last season and “They have set the bar at a new height losing so many of our younger players to and the youngsters coming through university, my main expectation of the know the level they need to attain if they first team was to consolidate their place want to be part of the first team squad.” in the second division,” Gordon said. Success is not solely confined to the
“For them to be second top and in men’s top team as Gordon reflects on the mix for a promotion play-off is well a development plan which is showing above our expectation and coach Neil promising signs of progress. Mitchell and the boys deserve a great “The men’s seconds are also in a deal of credit for their efforts in getting strong position in their league and could themselves into this position. lift the midlands first division for the first
“I have had a quick look back and I time since 1983/84,” explained Gordon.
“This is also rubbing off on the ladies side as they have competed well in their leagues and set their bar at a higher level than last year.
“This is year three of the five year development plan that I put in place when I took on the role of president.
“I am pleased to report that at this stage we are ahead of the targets I set in the junior, ladies’ and men’s sections.
“We have built up the momentum which is gathering pace and we need to keep this going.
“To enable that to happen we need to continue to be proactive about how we progress which I believe is how we have achieved so much in the last three years.
“At our recent meeting with Sport Scotland, who gave us a grant to allow us to employ a coach, they acknowledged the progress we have made in such a short time. They have sent other clubs to try and follow our lead. The main area of concern they had that would hamper our progress was the lack of suitable facilities.
“We have been very fortunate to form a partnership with The University of the Highlands and Islands Sport and Wellbeing which has enabled us to utilise their magnificent facilities for our indoor training this year and we are grateful for their support and encouragement.
“I am indebted to the management team and all our dedicated coaches for the their time and efforts and to the players and parents for their efforts which have led to the success we are enjoying at present.”