LHA Monthly Roundup - Sept
October 08, 2013
Welcome back everyone to what will hopefully be a great season of 
hockey for you all. There is a lot happening at the moment so I thought I'd pull together a quick circular to let you know what's going on within the LHA and further afield.
Most teams are now back in action and I just want to thank the Men's, Ladies, South East, Junior Girls, Junior Boys, Senior Schoolgirls, Senior Schoolboys, South East Schoolgirls, Junior School Boys, Junior Schoolgirls and Ladies Vets Sections for the work they have done to get the leagues and competitions ready. Thanks also to the LHUA who are busy appointing umpires to senior games and organising rules seminars (more later!).
Work is also on going for the Development, Youth and Disciplinary Committees and information will be circulated on the website, facebook, twitter and of course email when it becomes available.
League/Cup Fixtures
Last year we had over 90% clubs correctly returning the result texts to
update the system. This season, I'm looking for 100%! Result Officials should receive a text message on the day of the game and we're looking for results to be returned as soon as possible after the game so that league results can be sent to the press on Saturday/Sunday evenings. The prompt sheet for sending results can be found on the website click here This season we have also given access to clubs to update their match times on the website. We are hoping that clubs will update the match times by Monday evening so that we can advise the press on Tuesday of the times of games. Please ensure that your match times are updated as early as possible.
Upcoming Tournaments
The Girls Under 16 & Under 18 Interprovincials will take place in 
Cork over the weekend of the 18-20 October. Our thanks to the Interprovincial Management teams for the time and effort they have invested in our four interprovincial teams and we wish them and the players the very best of luck. Detail of the teams and schedule are available on the website click here The following week the All Ireland Schoolboys Championships will take place in Dublin. St Andrews College are the principle hosts for this event with games also taking place in Mount Temple, St Columbas College, Sutton Park and The High School. Details of the tournament are available on the website click here In November, the Leinster Under 16 & Under 18 Boys will travel to Mossley, Belfast to take part in their Interprovincial Tournament. The schedule has been announced (click here) and squad details will be posted on the website closer to the competition.
Leinster Hockey Umpires Association
The LHUA will be holding an umpiring session for club/school and novice umpires on Thursday, 17th October in Pembroke Wanderers at 8pm. Interest in the session has been great and there are limited places left. To register for this event email lhuasecretary@gmail.com
National Lottery Grants - Deadline approaching
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs ("DCYA") has a National Lottery Discretionary fund in place which provides once-off grants to community groups and voluntary organisations with an involvement in the provision of Children's and Youth services. Details of the fund can be found on the website (click here). You can apply for up to 15000 euro - it is really important that more clubs apply for funding so please apply, even if it is just for some equipment.
Development Committee - Hockey for boys in clubs with small numbers
Last season the development committee oversaw the Leinster LIONS which was a team made up of players from a number of clubs that took part in the under sixteen competitions. All the people involved agree that the involvement was a success. There is a broad agreement to enter a LIONS team for the under sixteen league and cup next season. There is also a number of people interested in doing something similar at under 14 level. More information click here
IHA looking to recruit Licenced Development Officers
The IHA is seeking to hire five additional part-time Licensed Development Officers, one of these to be based in North Leinster (including North Dublin). The aim of the role is to supplement and support the existing development network with the goal of increasing participation. More information click here
Fancy sitting in the Premium Seat at games?
The IHA are looking to grow the pool of Technical Officials (TO) and Judges around the country. TO's and Judges manage the technical table at matches and Tournaments managing everything from the timing, paperwork, discipline and team conformance with the Rules & Regulations of the competition. More information click here
Queries on league/cup competitions should be directed to the relevant hockey committee. Details of all the committees can be found on the LHA website
