MHHC News - June 2026

Following on from the MHHC AGM we have some club news to share, including details of our newly appointed Coach for the men's and women's sections.

There has been a move around within the Committee with Raoul Mercer moving across to take on the Treasurer role, Sally Kirke has also moved over to the position of Chair, leaving the role of Vice Chair as a vacant position. If you would like to join the team and take on the role of Vice Chair please get in touch!

• Chair - Sally Kirke
• Treasurer - Raoul Mercer
• Secretary - Jo Bevan
• Vice Chair - vacant

Thank you very much to Simon Ingram Hawkes who has been the Treasurer for a number of years and has given a lot of his time and dedication to the role. Thank you also to Raoul for his short term as Chair.

Would you like get more involved with your club? We have a range of volunteer roles available, many of which require just a small time commitment but make a big difference. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, develop new skills, and help ensure the club continues to thrive.

Find out more about how you can help on our website via the ink below.

We are very pleased to welcome and announce David O’Brien as our new senior section Coach for the upcoming 2026/27 Season. 

David will be running our senior training sessions for both the men’s and women’s sections, as well as attending Saturday matches in order to provide coaching and tactical advice on game days.

David is a qualified EH Level 2 Coach and has a great deal of coaching experience having previously coached men, women, and juniors, at various clubs and schools across the Midlands area. Over the last few years he has coached at multiple clubs, including; Warwick University HC, Bromsgrove Ladies HC, Beacon HC, Nuneaton Ladies HC, Solihull Blossomfield Ladies HC, and Sutton Coldfield HC.

David was recognised in 2025 as the Volunteer of the Year by the Hockey Writers Club, and also featured on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for community coaching work at a local midlands Academy.

David joins the existing junior and goalkeeper coaches at MHHC to complete the coaching line up and form a solid foundation for next season.

Senior preseason training is planned to start in mid-August ready for the start of the season in September, with League matches starting earlier than usual this year.

Senior preseason training sessions from 18 August 2026:

• Women:
• Tuesday 18 August at 19:30-21:00
• Tuesday 25 August at 19:30-21:00
• Men:
• Wednesday 19 August at 19:30-21:00
• Wednesday 26 August at 19:30-21:00

Regular winter training will begin in September for all sections. The dates for the Midlands League fixtures are also listed below.

Winter training (September - Easter) starts back from 1 September 2026:

• Women's training: Tuesdays at 19:30-21:00
• Men's training: Wednesdays at 19:30-21:00
• Junior training: Wednesdays at 17:30-19:00

Senior Saturday fixtures:

• Saturdays friendlies from: Saturday 5 September 2026
• League start date: Saturday 19 September 2026
• Last fixtures before winter break: Saturday 5 December 2026
• League starts back: Saturday 9 January 2027
• League spring break week: Saturday 13 February 2027
• Last fixtures of the season Saturday 20 March 2027

Note: there is no October League break week this season due to Easter being early in 2027.

New players are always welcome at MHHC! Join us at a training session, no need to book, just turn up and say 'hi'. Get in touch for if you would like further information.

• Women's training: Tuesdays at 19:30-21:00, led by coach David O'Brien (EH L2)
• Men's training: Wednesdays at 19:30-21:00, led by coach David O'Brien (EH L2)
• Junior training: Wednesdays at 17:30-19:00, led by coach Dave Standish with a team of qualified and experienced coaches and assistants