- England Hockey Leagues
Why the return of the EHL is huge for University of Nottingham
As the England Hockey Leagues return this weekend, Rod Gilmour of The Hockey Paper hears from University of Nottingham with both student sides set to debut in the Premier Divisions.
University of Nottingham will have an ace up their sleeve at some point this season, but history first beckons for both clubs. The men’s and women’s teams both play their first ever Premier Division matches this weekend, over a decade on from when the student sides were turning out in the midlands and county leagues.
“I started with them six years ago now, five leagues below the Premier Division and we are now there,” said Matt Taylor, UoN’s women’s coach. “Five promotions in five years is pretty remarkable. They are all excited and it's a great privilege to be on the pitch with the team in the Premier Division on Saturday.”
It will be quite some arrival, too. Nottingham women make the very short trip across the road to rivals Beeston for the first local derby of the season in the Vitality Women’s Premier Division. “It’s a nice easy one in terms of logistics, but certainly no easy one in terms of the pitch," admitted Taylor, a former England international. "They did so well last year."
Like many university sides ahead of a September start, Taylor has had his work cut out wondering when players will be able to start. “It’s the trials and tribulations of a uni team, whether players have their grades to come in and it’s always a bit nervy in August.”
Pre-season, says Taylor, is usually 'short and hectic' and this year has been no different, coupled with the fact that UoN’s international students have yet to arrive. “There are no excuses but we are looking forward to where we’re at in ten Saturdays time,” added Taylor.
“But who knows where we will be come Saturday afternoon. It’s more about the season as a whole including the BUCS league. We always want to play in a higher league on a Saturday to be a better team which contributes to our Wednesday performances. The exciting thing is how good we can become.”
Ten of Nottingham’s side will be making their debuts this weekend, while Taylor has recruited the likes of Maddie Long from Surbiton, and Tilly Butterworth. To underline Nottingham’s youthful outlook, they will only lose one student come the end of the season, which bodes well for continuity.
“We have looked at realistic expectations. We have never been here before. There are lots of variables and we would love to be there or thereabouts come the Christmas split. It could be a tough challenge as we are so young.”
Taylor stepped away from the men’s programme last season to focus on the women’s side. Meanwhile James Bateman stepped up as assistant men’s coach last year before promotion was garnered as head coach for the first time last season.
Overall, coach Taylor has been at the university for 12 years. “We were leagues and leagues apart from where we are now,” he recalled. “We had players externally who would come together for BUCS. We made a conscious decision that we could build a programme which could be fruitful. We have increased the level of the programme each year and we think the decisions we have made over the years have been the right ones.”
With both UoN clubs now in the top flight, Taylor hopes that crowds will be similar to that of the boisterous atmospheres seen at BUCS games. This season UoN women are defending BUCS champions, having played in three finals in five years.
“With a lot of first years in our squad, I would expect quite a big crowd with halls of residence on site,” noted Taylor. “I think there will be more support across clubs and vice versa as the games are that much bigger. Everything counts this time. For years, we’ve had one of the strongest programmes amongst all the universities, and now we have to take it up a notch again.”
Nottingham will be captained by 20-year-old midfielder Katie Curtis, a Great Britiain EDP player, while the likes of fellow England juniors Maddie Axford and Claudia Swain will also be into their second seasons following their unbeaten record in Division 1 North.
“We are very attack-minded,” said Curtis. “We have a lot of momentum moving forward and it will be exciting for our defence as well.
“I think we took it for granted last season that we were a pretty good side and we know now we will have to bring the intensity on Saturdays.”
Curtis will also be on the lookout when to use the squad’s ‘Ace Card’. She added: “If you play your Ace card it means that the whole women’s club has to come down and watch you play. That’s a pretty cool thing about the club!”
What Beeston say ahead of crunch clash
James Sordillo, Beeston women's coach: “[Nottingham's] progress over the last few years had been noted around the country and with their impressive performance and investment it was only a matter of time before they made it to the Premier Division.
“For us Loughborough and Birmingham were our closest rivals but it doesn’t get much closer than across the car park! Our proximity adds an interesting dimension not seen anywhere else in the league. We know each other well and it should be a great game and a fun season opener.
“Hopefully there will be a good crowd and we can put on a show for those in attendance and everyone watching on BeeTV.”
Vitality Women’s Premier Division
Saturday: Beeston v University of Nottingham, 2pm
Men’s Premier Division
Sunday: University of Nottingham v Old Georgians, 2:30pm
