'Any inspirational words they have carry such weight'

Rod Gilmour of The Hockey Paper runs the rule over the match of the weekend in the Vitality Women's Premier Division.

Surely there isn't another sport where an array of gold medallists will be as close up and accessible as Maida Vale this weekend? Head to Paddington Rec on Saturday and there on the pitch sidelines will be three Rio Olympic champions. In one corner, Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, of Hampstead & Westminster, and Wimbledon’s Alex Danson-Bennett in the other. They will oversee an array of gold medallists on it.

That’s the 2022/23 season for you in the Vitality Women’s Premier Division, and England Hockey’s match of the weekend is none other than Hampstead & Westminster against Wimbledon, with both sides looking to bounce back from draws last time out.

Ever since England women left Birmingham 2022 with gold draping around their necks, H&W have taken the aspirational route of what former and current greats of the game can do for the next generation at the club.

First, though, it was how the Richardson-Walsh coaching double act emerged after co-coach Sarah Kelleher's increasing schedule saw her leave to carry on assistant duties with Ireland women.

“The club first looked at whether Kate would lead as head coach, with the team keen for that to happen,” reveals Richard Sykes, H&W’s president.

“An open conversation was had on a supporting coach. Kate considered a number of options and she talked it through with Helen [who joins as Kate’s assistant] and decided it would be a very powerful team going forwards.”

Sykes, who is also a board member at Middlesex Cricket Club, believes that hockey is better placed in terms of coaching in the women’s game compared to cricket.

“The quality of coaching in women’s hockey is so much stronger than certainly across the club side of cricket for example,” he says. “One of the reasons is that we have proven players who are looking to take their careers forward into coaching.”

And having gold medal champions coaching at the club? “It’s a really powerful message,” Sykes adds, “and the effects on the juniors at Hampstead is tremendous, women coaching women and all sharing their experience with the juniors - it’s a virtuous circle and what we are trying to do with the men’s and women’s squads.

“We have to do things like this at the club as we don’t own our facility, we don’t have money and so we have to find other ways to make Hampstead arguably different, but competitive and embedding the culture values that we ascribe to.”

For the players, there was excitement when Helen was announced as part of the new set up.

Holly Hunt, one of several Birmingham 2022 stars who will be on show on Saturday, said: “I have never been coached by Helen before so I was intrigued to see her in action. They work well together and it’s great to have them on the sidelines.”

Hunt’s team-mate Lucy Hyams added: “Helen brings a different perspective and a very attacking mindset which has been really positive for us.

“We are very lucky to have gold medalists at the club. They are fantastic role models for the juniors. Their work ethic is second to none and hopefully training and playing at Hampstead brings them some light-hearted fun.”

For the opening matches of the season, Kate has overseen squad affairs and has delivered team and tactical messages, while Helen has ‘chipped in with her intelligence.’

“Having them both as ex-players and now coaches, if there is a moment in the game where we need emotionally settling, their input is really valuable,” adds Hunt. “They know what it’s like, they have been there and to have their advice in the moment is great as a women’s team.”

The continuation of being coached by experienced hands is, says Hunt, an inspiration for her. “When I was in the development squad, we had Hannah Macleod as an assistant coach and now Katie Glynn [England and GB women’s assistant coach]. They are so relatable and there is nothing more valuable than someone who has been there and done it. Any inspirational words they have carry such weight. It’s great for women’s sport.”

When Hunt experienced the same fixture last season at Wimbledon, she recalls seeing Kate and Alex on the sidelines and thinking ‘wow, there are some quite big dogs here!’

Both greats will be searching for their second victories of the season, with H&W gunning to get going again after letting slip a 3-1 lead last weekend as Holcombe drew 3-3.

“After the highs of winning 5-0 in our opening game, we were all frustrated but it was a positive thing that we can leverage,” admitted Hunt. “It shows the standards we set for ourselves and we are aspiring to be one of the top teams in the league.”

They will hope to maintain that, with the club’s foray into Europe beckoning at the end of the season in the EuroHockey Club Trophy.

Hunt added: “We want to build upon this season as much as possible so that when we go to Switzerland for the Euros we are in a good place and that we can challenge. I can’t wait for it.”

Vitality Women's Premier Division
Saturday: Hampstead & Westminster v Wimbledon, 2pm