Uddingston HC win prestigious European Hockey Federation Club of the Year Award

The European Hockey Federation (EHF) have announced that Uddingston Hockey Club (SCO) will be presented with its 2015 EHF Club of the Year Award for Small Clubs (300 members or less).

After working in partnership with Scottish Hockey’s Development Team to submit their nomination in January this year, the EHF considered their candidacy as reflective of its mission to value and recognise strong, well-organised clubs across Europe.

They are the first Scottish club to win the award.

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Marijke Fleuren, EHF President, extended her warm congratulations to Uddingston, stating:

“I am proud to congratulate the club on their efforts, and this well-deserved award. They have shown us what it means to be truly successful; hard working, inclusive and community centred.”

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Following confirmation of the EHF award, Uddingston’s Director of Hockey, Steven Percy, said:

“We have a core group of volunteers who have bought into a strong club vision and have been committed to achieving our ambitions. The club is delighted to receive this award, as it recognises the value of those volunteers’ work, time and efforts to generate success.

“We have demonstrated that the club is going in the right direction. Our targets are to have all our teams playing at the highest level possible, further grow our youth programmes, build a new changing facility and indoor hall, to produce talented players for recognition at district and Scottish level, and maintain our successful in-schools programme.

“I hope the award will re-energise our club to keep moving forward and help further achieve our potential.”

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Scottish Hockey’s Glasgow & West Development Officer, Lauren Fletcher, added:

“Clubs are the engine room of the sport; we want them to be strong, vibrant organisations in order to attract and retain members.

“We have worked in partnership with Uddingston to help support their ambitions and we are delighted it has been recognised by the EHF for the fantastic work it has done to grow all aspects of their membership and infrastructure. Hopefully this award will inspire all our member clubs across Scotland.”

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Uddingston’s successful application stood out against stiff competition from across the continent, demonstrating excellence against criteria including membership growth, youth development, coach & umpire education, competitions for all ages, local school partnerships, volunteer recognition, business acumen, and generating sponsorship.

Key highlights include:

  • A 292% increase in the number of youth programme participants since 2014.
  • Two players selected for Scotland U16s, one for Scotland U18s.
  • 26% increase in adult membership, creating two additional teams for both men’s and women’s groups.
  • £5000 investment in a goalkeeping academy delivering specific skills training for individuals by qualified GK coach.
  • Employment of three coaches to deliver a 40 week-long schools hockey programme across Glasgow, North and South Lanarkshire to over 14,000 pupils in the 4-16 year old age range.
  • Coach education and mentorship provision that has produced a 3000% increase in qualified hockey leaders, a 116% increase in qualified UKCC Level 1 coaches, and 300% increase in qualified UKCC Level 2 coaches.
  • Umpire education provision that had led to 154% increase in qualified ‘C’ Badge umpires, plus two ‘A’ badge umpires and two International Hockey Federation qualified umpires. Provision of a technical official to high level European events.
  • Comprehensive facilities strategy to include a £700,000 world class pitch development, storage and equipment, training area, video tower, and wireless connectivity. Future plans include development of an indoor hall, a second pitch, new changing facilities, and technical areas.
  • First club in the UK to use a Modern Apprenticeship Programme to provide employment opportunities to young adults.
  • Volunteer recognition and awards.
  • Strong partnerships with local businesses to generate income and investment for club activities, including Riva restaurants, Perfect Glazing, Clinetix, and Palazzo.

The club continues to progress, with a four year business plan now in place, creating more opportunities for people to play hockey and developing its workforce to become the most professionally run club within Scotland.

 

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