To be recognised as a club for all we are trying to achieve by two different governing bodies is staggering. A HUGE thank you must go to all of our members for continuing to make the Sils a great club to be part of.

- Stephen Tabb, Club Chairman

History is made - not once, but twice

On Wednesday 20th May, Old Silhillians Hockey Club made history, by being named as the European Hockey Federation's (Large) Club of the Year, making them the first ever English winners of the award.

The club was in competition with many of the behemoths of European Hockey such as Blomendaal and Harvestehuder (both multiple winners of the European Hockey League), but the truly remarkable efforts of the club in recent years have been rewarded.

The EHF stated that they were impressed by the significant growth in membership, the developments made within the club infra-structure, and the opportunities for young coaches to develop as important elements of the application, which was submitted by England Hockey in January, alongside Felixstowe and Bicester Hockey Clubs (who were entered in the Small and Medium Club segments).

Notts Sport England Hockey Club of the Year

On Saturday 23rd May, the club then followed up the European recognition of their achievements in 2014, by also being awarded the England Hockey award for the first time ever, for the 2015 season. A season which started with the Mixed Team securing a first ever National Title for the Club, was ended in fine fashion at the fantastic awards ceremony hosted at the Madejski Stadium in Reading with around 250 other hockey revellers. The club fought off very tough competition from Wapping, Sevenoaks, Cambridge City, Taunton Vale and Boots Hockey Clubs to bring home the award which they have been shortlisted for 3 times previously.

England Hockey cited the club's work in the community to both grow the opportunities for anybody and everybody to play hockey (via such programmes as the Solihull Flyerz Inclusive hockey section) and also support local charities (in particular Meningitis Now) along with the club's significant facility developments as important factors within their successful nomination.

Watch out for more news and details from the awards, but significant things to be aware of:

12th July - Club Open Day, which will see the club open to all members and non-members to see the brand new facility in all its glory

Week Commencing 24th August - the club will collect the EHF Club of the Year Award at the Lee Valley National Stadium during the European Hockey Championships (we may well organise a Coach to go down for this)

12th September - Celebration Dinner to thank all those involved over the years for all they have done for the club.