Bretforton Hockey Club finished the year receiving their long awaited, smart looking, white shirts. Big thanks go to our fabulous sponsors:


· Raceways
· Marcus Jordan Construction Ltd
· Scotts Plant & Haulage
· Love in your Garden
· Inca

Bretforton also hosted their first ever ‘Partners Tournament’, which was extremely popular and played in great festive spirit. Three teams competed in a round robin tournament, which gave the opportunity for those normally on the side lines, to see what hockey was all about. ‘Hockey is harder than it looks’ was just one of the comments made that morning! Lots of goals and friendly family rivalry made for great entertainment on and off the pitch.

The blue team were up first in a closely fought match against the white team, but it was the blues that came away with the first win of the day. Blues stayed on to then play the red team and confidently took their second win. In the final match of the morning both the whites and reds were determined to grab the last available points, but it was a strong team performance by the reds, who came out on top. The blues were the overall winners but the day was all about taking part and having lots of fun. Both the players and the many spectators that turned up, all agreed that it was a fantastic event and a super start to Christmas.

More fun continued back at Bretforton Sports and Social Club with tasty hot pork rolls and ‘melt in your mouth’ mince pies!

​Everyone agreed that ‘We all had a lovely time!’

Two members of Bretforton Hockey Club have been extremely busy this summer and had their England debut, playing in the England Hockey Masters, International Invitation Tournament in Nottingham.


Lisa Workman and Julie Hall both went to a series of trials to gain their places in the Over 50’s squad and it was in January 2020 when they found out that they had both been successful. Originally they were due to play in the Master’s World Cup in South Africa, but due to the pandemic this has been postponed until Autumn 2022.


It was a long wait for both of the girls from finding out that they had made selection to actually playing, but both would agree that it was worth the wait!


The first game of the tournament was against Wales. An early goal put England in front. Within minutes of making her England debut and to the delight of family and friends on the sidelines, Hall pushed the ball past the keeper, increasing England’s lead. England kept up their dominance throughout the game, finishing with a convincing 6-0 win.


The second match was an extremely close battle against Scotland. Workman playing in a defensive position, kept a level head and assisted in keeping the score at 1-0 to England. A tight and exciting game with a great result, especially for the loyal Bretforton Hockey Club supporters who came to support their fellow club members.


The final match was against The North Over 45’s. This proved to be another tough game, but England’s fitness and determination pulled them through to a third victory, with the end result being 2-1.
​

The Bretforton duo said that it had been an incredible experience with an amazing squad of players and a brilliant management team led by Lisa Prince (1992 GB Olympian, Bronze Medalist) and assisted by Katie Ridewood.

Bretforton Ladies Over 45’s squad have been crowned National Champions for a second time.

After being runners up in 2019, the ladies fought hard to regain their crown with the spectacular statistics of reaching the England Hockey National Finals for the 4th time in 5 years.

With the championships delayed due to COVID, Bret secured their place in this years final with a thumping 6 – 2 defeat over Sonning Legends. The result saw them through to the final and an incredibly tough draw against the North West’s biggest club, Bowdon Hightown.

This years finals were held at Nottingham Hockey Centre and both teams met to do battle on a blisteringly hot day. With both teams gunning for glory it was a well fought first half, with both sides creating chances. Bretforton's mid-field was much the stronger however and great team work saw the ball make its way to Deb Slatter who made no mistake with the finish to put Bret 1 nil up. Spurred on by this, Bowdon fought back and made it 1 -1 shortly before half time.
Then the games changed in dramatic style. Virtually from the push back, Tess Lewinton flew into the opposition D and unleashed an absolutely stunning strike into the top corner of the net – GOAL !! The quality of the strike left Bowdon stumped and sensing this, Deb Slatter made the ball her own, snuck into the D, out-foxed the Bowdon keeper and slotted the next goal in to make it 3 - 1 to the pink ladies !

With still over 30 minutes on the clock Bret knew that they would be deluged in defence and this proved to be the case. Bowdon pulled another goal back to make it 3 -2 with ten minutes to go and also found the back of the net again, only for the goal to be disallowed to an earlier infringement. Bretforton were defending like demons with Bowdon earning themselves many short corners – one of which was saved in the dying moments from a fierce near post shot by keeper Vicky Watkins.

Bret pulled through and – against all the odds – were crowned Champions for another year. This couldn’t have been achieved without the unerring support of their management team and supporters – without them the squad would never make it through these tournaments – special mention must go to Sue Barker-Wheeler, Heather Carr, Marion Icke, Stuart Thatcher, Rebecca Denyer-White and Lynton Garner. And – of course – our very own number 11 – the real reason that we play and get these results year after year. Thank you all so, so much.


Team: Lisa Workman (C), Vicky Watkins (GK), Dawn Thatcher, Julie Hall, Andrea Cole, Deb Slatter, Sophie Hamilton, Rosemary Logan, Tessa Lewinton, Dani Cox, Sam Witheford, Gilly Wright, Blanche Surman, Martine Verweij, Sarah Cook, Sylvia Thomas

Road to the final:


Stourport HC 0 – 6 Bretforton
Clifton Robinsons 3 – 3 Bretforton (Bret win on penalty flicks)
Kettering 1 – 2 Bretforton

Semi Final
Sonning Legends 2 – 6 Bretforton

Final
Bowdon Hightown 2 – 3 Bretforton


(Bowdon results)
Sale 0 – 1 Bowdon
Bye
​
Semi Final
Kingston upon Hull 0 – 2 Bowdon

Final
Bowdon 2 – 3 Bretforton

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brethockeyThe most memorable day in the club's 70 year history. With the most phenomenal support of 60 family and friends of the club who had travelled down by coach from Evesham for the final. Bretforton ladies hockey played in the national final of the over 45s investec tier 2 at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London on Sunday 29th April. Their opposition was Kingston upon hull.
 
The team line up was 
 
GK: Vicky Watkins.
DEFENDERS: Blanche Surman, Sylvia Thomas, Sally Pritchard, Dawn Thatcher.
MIDFEILD: Julie hall, Lisa Workman (captain), Danni Cox, Rosemary Logan, Lucy Wilkes.
FORWARDS: Deb Slatter, Ness Dufty, Andrea Cole, Tess Lewinton.
 
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Bret ladies had taken part in the over 35s final two years ago, in which they were running up and with the experience gained from that final they showed no nerves, just steely determination to win.
 
Bret made an excellent start attacking from the off with some superb play from 
Dawn Thatcher and Julie hall on the right they really put the pressure on Kingston. Hall picking the ball up from Thatcher running down the right wing getting the ball across and finding a Kingston foot which ensued in a penalty corner. With no stopper on the pitch, Bret didn't make the most of their opportunity and squandered. Kingston was dangerous on the break. Their game relied on the long ball to the forwards, where they were awarded a penalty corner. A great save by defender Sylvia Thomas off the line kept Bret in the game. 
 
With Bret on the break again and some determined play in midfield from Rosemary Logan and Danni Cox, put Kingston under pressure again with Bret pressing a hit out from Kingston, which was intercepted by Tess Lewinton, who with a one on one with the keeper just put her shot wide to get the opening goal.
 
With the forwards subbing every 7 mins, Ness Dufty and Deb Slatter partnered up front, leading Dufty to closely see her shot being cleared off the line. 
 
During the latter stages of the second half, Kingston grew in confidence and had Bret slightly on the back foot unable to move the ball out of their own half.  
 
A quick hit out from Thomas to Lisa workman, who dribbling down the centre, led to a pass to Slatter up front, giving her a shot being passed in the D by the keeper only for Hall to touch it over the goal line. A huge cheer goes up from the Bret supporters in the stand.
 
The half time whistle goes and everyone takes a deep breathe with a confident team talk from the stand in coach John Shaw keeps Bret heads cool into the second half.
 
End to end play, followed with both teams making attacks, however it a ball from the back passed out to the right from Surman to Thatcher onto Hall, with a pacey run down the right she picked out Rosemary Logan in the D who calmly flicked the ball past the keeper.  The cheers from the crowd could be heard all over the Olympic park with Bret only 23 minutes away from the title.
 
However, Kingston was out to spoil the party, leaving only 5 minutes to pull a goal back when they hit the post. Putting pressure on the Bret defence. Great play from Sally Pritchard and the midfield kept Brets lead intact.  Kingston had another penalty corner cleared by Thatcher, passed down to Hall, which was sent too hard for forward Lewinton to pick up.
 
With 4 minutes left, another penalty corner to Kingston was saved by Vicky Watkins in goal, making a fantastic save, pushing the ball onto the post.  The tension could not be higher. Bret broke again and with some great passing by Logan, with a final pass to Lucy Wilkes who had an open goal to seal the win for Bret.
 
The stands erupted. An explosion of noise from the crowd realising there was no come back now for Kingston with only 2 mins to go!
 
5! 4! 3! 2! 1!!!! When the final whistle went, the realisation of the most momentous win for the club struck home, with tears of joy by fans and players alike.
 

The win struck a chord, not only for the magnitude of what they had achieved but also from pride felt, for the love and support shown for each other, but also for one of their team, Jane Wheeler, who unfortunately had not been able to make it to play in the final, due to recent a serious illness.  Watching a live feed from her hospital bed, they had not only made the Club proud, they had done it for Jane.
 
The support for the team was overwhelming; no other clubs playing that day had that kind of crowd cheering them on. Bretforton are a true team in every sense of the word, each player putting their heart and soul into the match for the win.  
 
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Thanks also need to said to coach Julie Stowe ('stowie') who had coached the team to the final but sadly couldn't be there on the day and to John Shaw who stepped in at short notice to coach the team in Stowies absence.  
 
A week ago our little village club believed in each other to achieve something extraordinary and became NATIONAL CHAMPIONS #O45’s.
 
There are many people we’d like to say a special thank you to that made this journey to Lee Valley possible:
 
*NN Cresswell for providing the supporters bus and transporting us safely.
 
*In2Print for the fantastic supporter posters and the amazing Bret Banner.
 
* Bayer for your generous sponsorship towards the players shirts
 
*Evesham Kayak Trust for the loan of the players mini bus.
 
*England Hockey & Investec for their hospitality & accommodating our little club.
 
*John Shaw, who at short notice stood in as our coach and did a fantastic job!
 
*Kingston-upon-Hull the very friendly opponents.
 
*Stuart Thatcher for being our offical photographer for the day.
 
Obviously there are many club members behind the scenes that make all this possible so thank you to all who were involved with all the organising. You’re all little stars.
 
And finally.....thank you to all our lovely LOUD pink supporters club. You rocked Lee Valley & didn’t England Hockey know it! You were most definitely our 12th player!
 
We hope we’ve inspired the younger generation & others to pick up a hockey stick and give it a go. #PinkLadies #hockeyfamily

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LINC’s (The Leukaemia & Intensive Chemotherapy Fund ) remit is to improve the care of cancer patients receiving intensive treatment within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Whilst a patient's individual life is put cruelly on standstill, the outside world continues to make it's demands.  This is when LINC is there to provide help, care and support to patients and their families.

We would like to raise some funds to support LINC and in particular the Rendcomb Ward (the ward Jane is on) at Cheltenham General Hospital.  One of LINC's main emphasis is on upgrading the Rendcomb Ward side rooms to at least make patients care much more comfortable whilst they go through intensive chemotherapy. 

Your support is very important to us and to LINC and their patients. Without your/our generous donations LINC would not be able to continue to provide this level of patient care.  All donations will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you. Love the Bret Hockey Family. #proudtobepink

If you would like to donate, please use the link below....
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brethockey

BRETFORTON again move forward into the Investec Plate but this time for the National Women’s Over 45s final again to be held at London’s Lee Valley Stadium.

To get through they beat St Albans on nail biting penalty flicks in the semis after a breathtaking 2-2 draw.

Bret’s strong team spirit helped them produce one of their best performances to beat a side who were potentially stronger on paper.

The hosts, coached by Julie Stowe, made a confident start and Julie Hall’s blistering run down the right and pull-back was finished off by Danni Cox at the second attempt following a block from the keeper.

Despite Watkins’ efforts, St Albans levelled with 10 minutes left.

Bret went close to a late winner but Cox could not get her shot away after Workman’s snaking run.

The Vale side won the toss for the penalty flicks and opted to take first.

Lucy Wilkes eventually gave them the victory in sudden death with her second successful flick after Lewinton had two efforts saved.

Sylvia Thomas and Hall were also denied by saves while Cox hit the post but Watkins evened things up with some stops of her own.

The final is to be held on the April 29  at 11am at the Olympic Pitch, Lee Valley Hockey Stadium in London, with all Pink supporters and family welcome. Lee Valley, here we come! 

Having beaten some of the best teams in the country, Bretforton’s over 35s team found themselves travelling down to Lee Valley to face Folkestone Optimists in the Investec O35s Shield final at the Olympic Park.


Complete with a travelling fan club of around 100 supporters, Bretforton were looking to put the small Cotswold village on the map; and the noise levels of the supporters was set to make sure no one would forget Bretforton Ladies hockey team.


Decked out in brand new Pink Ladies kit, Bretforton faced the Folkstone Optimists in blue. After an intense start from both teams, it was the Optimists who managed to calm their nerves first and took advantage of a gap in the Bretforton formation to drive at the defence and get themselves ahead early on.


Folkestone increased their lead shortly afterwards when Folkestone drove hard at the Bretforton defence and smashed in their second of the game. Bretforton seemed to find their feet once again and great linking play from Lisa Workman in midfield and Sarah Hall in attack gave Bret the chance to put Folkestone under pressure.


Bretforton were awarded a succession of short corners after some fabulous running up the wing from Green forced errors from the Folkestone defence. With their shots firing just wide of the goal, Bretforton were unfortunately unable to make the most of their chances.


Solid defending from Lewinton and Wheeler kept the Optimists from increasing their lead until just before the half time whistle, when a series of short sharp passes allowed Folkestone to work their way around the pitch and slot home their third goal of the game.


A renewed hunger and increasing support from the fans in pink, gave Bretforton the push they needed to come back after the break and show everyone that they were up for the fight. After a foot on the line, Bretforton were awarded a penalty flick – Sophie Hamilton stepped up to the plate and calmly fired the ball past the Folkestone keeper to put the Pink Ladies on the scoresheet.


Vicky Watkins in goal had a busy match but undoubtedly one of her best as she was forced to make some stunning saves throughout the match to keep Folkestone from increasing their lead.


Deb Slatter and Dani Cox were unlucky not to find themselves with more chances on goal as their determination and commitment gave Bretforton the chance to gain ground, but unfortunately Bretforton could not add to their goal tally.


Folkestone kept the pressure on and were rewarded with their fourth goal and their strikers’ second, to make the score 4-1. Shortly before the end of the match the Optimists secured their win with a fifth goal to make them O35 Invested Shield winners.


Bretforton Ladies O35s came home Silver Medallists and, it is safe to say, everyone had a “LOVELY TIME”. The club would like to thank all of the match sponsors and the supportes for all their encouragement and support.

Match Sponsors:

Plus R J Hall Electrical, Tempest Sports

 TICKETS HAVE NOW GONE ON SALE for our O35s playing in the final at Lee Valley Stadium.

Use the link below to order your tickets for Saturday 30th April….

http://englandhockey.seetickets.com/event/investec-women-s-men-s-ko-finals-weekend/lee-valley-hockey-and-tennis-centre/970437

The girls will need all the support that they can get so if you are keen to come along, order yourself the required number of tickets and then let Emma or Lisa know how many people you have coming and depending on numbers we will try to organise group transport (hopefully in the form of a coach) for all the supporters to go down on the Saturday morning and return in the evening.

We are encouraging all supporters to wear pink on the day so that we stand out in the crowd!!!

We hope you are all excited as we all are, lets make a day of it!!

Bretforton Village vs Norwich City  4-1



Bretforton Ladies Masters Hockey Team have secured a slot in the EHA Masters Shield Competition to be held at the Lee Valley Olympic Park hockey centre in London on 30th April.
A stunning first half display saw the Vale ladies blow away Norwich City when they opened the scoring on 8 minutes. A brilliant cross from Bret captain Lisa Workman found Julie Hall who fired the ball back across the advancing keeper to see her effort nestle into the far corner of the goal.

Bret then went 2 – 0 up when Andrea Cole turned in a Ness Dufty cross with a perfectly weighted deflection past the Canaries keeper.

Spurred on by the amazing home support, the ladies in pink continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty corner. Time for the ever reliable Sophie Hamilton to step up and tuck her fiercely driven first time shot into the corner of the goal.

Bret were lucky to have the help of coach Julie Stowe and with her wise words of advice and orchestrating of substitutions the Bret forwards of Julie Hall, Sarah Green, Dannie Cox, Sarah Hall and Deb Slatter kept terrorising the visitors with their constant running and harrying.

Come the second half and Norwich did manage to get a goal back. However much they tried though some simply stunning defensive work from Blanche Surman, Tess Lewinton and Jane Wheeler saw them unable to convert any further attempts on the Bret goal.

The midfield dynamos of Sally Beale and Lisa Workman linked brilliantly and kept the whole team ticking over. The game was Bretfortons when a ball out of defence found Cox whose perfectly timed pass to Cole saw the start of a brilliant team goal. Cole’s forward pass to Green was then knocked on to the unmarked Dufty in the Norwich ‘D’. Her sublime finish – sweeping the ball high into the Norwich City net was the goal of the game and saw Bret victorious.

A brilliant display from the Vale side who now face either Stourport or Folkestone in the final (full details to follow!!) – this game couldn’t have been played without the faultless umpiring of Les Crookson and Karen Fynn – thank you both for stepping in at short notice and – again – the amazing support, it was very, very much appreciated!!!

Its time to make your comeback to hockey! 

Bretforton Ladies are looking for new players to join the club. If you've taken a short break or haven't played for years, we want to help you make your first steps back into hockey....

To register please use our contact us page on the site or email [email protected]