Lost 4-0
Scorers: N/A
MoM: Charlie Jain
DoD: Charlie Lloyd Hughes
The 2nd XI had a really tough match this weekend for a variety of reasons: 1. Old Georgians are a great team who could be pushing promotion this season
2. They travelled with 15 players, 2 coaches and picnic table to be used to run through set pieces
3. But most notably and importantly it was the first game for the 2s since the tragic passing of our team member and friend, Chris Figgis 2 weeks ago
This match report could easily, and potentially should, reflect the hockey that was played which saw OGs win 4-0 through 4 very well taken goals. However, I believe the real winner this Saturday was Hockey and more poignantly, Sport itself.
Mandela said in 2000: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where there was only despair.”
OGs arrived and at this stage the only thing we thought we had in common with them is that twice a season we meet and play the same sport we all love, hockey. It was at this point they reached out and said that they had bought black armbands for us all to wear as a mark of respect.
It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for hockey. For the 2nd XI, Canterbury hockey club holds a combined 180 years of hockey playing memories. Memories of Sunday morning juniors, Easter festivals, Monday evening U16s, Thursday evening U18s, national finals, having your first pint, 1st team fixtures in front of hundreds of spectators and, potentially the most important memory; that of supporting the next generation in understanding what sport and hockey at CHC is all about- making friends for life in a place where we all belong.
A minute’s silence was held prior to pushback which was initiated with a few moving words from skipper, Dunny. OGs showed their emotion and respect with a round of applause.
The match started and was hard fought but a deserved win for OGs. We didn’t set out to win or necessarily achieve anything in particular, we just set out to play the sport we loved with a great group of lads. A match day squad, of 14 with only 3 players over 22 years old, who are all “dealing” with the emotion and processing of Figgy’s passing after playing with us all at T.Wells a fortnight ago.
The game ended and the customary, yet important, “3-cheers” was yelled, sincere hand shakes given with a little extra pat on the back from the OG boys. It was then that they asked us all to gather round, they acknowledged the emotion that we were/are all experiencing in different ways and presented a Sam Ward England playing shirt signed by all the whole England national team.
The oppo gifted arm bands, the minute silence, the little extra pat on the back and the “Ward” playing shirt highlight to me the power of sport and the values it holds. Thank you Old Georgians.
Sport gives people hope, it gives people a voice and direction. It has the power to make dreams and sadly break them. It brings all people together and it gives us all that sense of belonging. These values were demonstrated on Saturday and will be on display every Saturday and Sunday at CHC and all sports clubs around the country.
As our club and all those involved with it continues to process the tragedy of 2-weeks ago, I personally believe there is one certainty that was highlighted continually on Saturday; that hockey at CHC will provide a continuing place for us all to share our successes but also our difficulties both on and off the hockey pitch.
RIP Figgy