Hello all,
A warm welcome to the 2025/2026 season! I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Chairman this year, and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. There are lots of exciting developments happening across the club, and I look forward to working with you all to make this one of our best seasons yet.
First, I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to the 2024/2025 committee. Their dedication and hard work have put the club in a strong position as we head into the new season. A special mention must go to the outgoing Alli Roberts, whose tireless efforts over recent seasons have been instrumental in driving the club forward—thank you, Alli.
As we begin the 2025/2026 season, I’m pleased to welcome several new faces to the committee. With fresh ideas and great energy, they’re already getting stuck in. While they settle into their roles, there may be a slight delay in some processes compared to previous years, but rest assured that plenty of work is happening behind the scenes to ensure we're ready for the start of league fixtures on 27th September.
With that date fast approaching, I’d kindly ask all members to:
Update your availability on Pitchero to help ensure team selection is as smooth as possible.
Register with GMS and confirm your details are up to date. Please note: this season, your name will appear on match sheets by default unless you choose to opt out.

Venue Update
As some of you know, our initial Anchor Agreement with Deanery School had come to an end, raising concerns about potential increases in pitch fees or the need to find a new venue.
Thanks to the excellent negotiating skills of Lord Andy Fraser, I’m pleased to confirm that we’ve successfully renewed our agreement. This means we can continue to enjoy the fantastic Deanery facilities at a competitive rate.
This renewal has also enabled the club to reinvest in coaching and playing resources to give you the best value from your membership. I’m proud to share some key developments:
The club will cover the £16 England Hockey Administration Fee for all members – making us one of the few clubs in Wiltshire to do so.
We’ve purchased a club-wide membership to the Performance Hockey app, providing coaches and players access to a comprehensive resource library.
We are in the process of ordering short corner masks for all senior and junior teams.
We also welcome your input. If there’s equipment or resources you think the club should invest in, please let us know via this suggestion form:
? Club Equipment Suggestions Form

Code of Conduct
As the season gets underway, I’d like to remind everyone that the club adheres to England Hockey’s “Spirit of Hockey – Code of Conduct.”
Hockey at Swindon should be a positive experience for everyone involved—players, officials, volunteers, and supporters alike. All participants should be treated with respect, regardless of age, gender, ability, or playing level.
Please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with the Code of Conduct. Both the club and England Hockey take breaches very seriously.
If you ever feel the Code has been breached, please speak to me or our Safeguarding Officers – Gavin Clark and Jane Hawthornwaite.

Social Events
We’ve also got a brilliant social calendar planned this year, with several dates already confirmed. These events are a great way to connect off the pitch, so I’d encourage everyone to get involved where possible. Keep an eye out for dates, and we hope to see you there!

If there’s anything you'd like to discuss with me—whether it’s an idea, concern, or just a quick chat—please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Here’s to a successful and enjoyable season ahead!
See you on the pitch,
Nathan Sutton
Chairman, Swindon Hockey Club