HERE COME THE GIRLS (OR MADCHEN)
This weekend sees Leicester playing host to four other sides for the Zepter tournament. The club first visited Germany in 2006 when Zepter hosted the International Challenge in Essen. Back then it was a seven a side tournament aimed largely at girls born in 96 and 97 and our girls found it quite a challenge. We managed to avoid the wooden spoon play off match but our German and Dutch opponents knew much more about competition hockey than we did.
The next year we hosted the Zepter All Stars and provided them with more seven a side games against ourselves and local opponents; once again it was a hockey lesson from our German friends. Last year we travelled to Leverkusen for 11 a side games. The format was different but the outcome the same. Again we avoided the bottom classification but our German, Dutch, Spanish and Czech opponents showed us there was still much to learn.
We were asked if we would again do some hosting and this year we welcome last year's winning side Club zur Vahr from Bremen as well as old friends Mariendorfer HC from Berlin. We also extend a warm welcome to Ashby and Beeston and hope that they enjoy meeting Continental opponents as much as we have done.
The competition is sponsored by Zepter UK and thanks to Hani Rifai for all his help and support. We also thank Bray and Bray Solicitors and Tesco for their financial support of the event.
Big thanks too to all the parents and club staff who have done so much to support the tournament, notably the Gladdles whose garden is becoming a camp site for the weekend and Rachel Mould who is organising all food and drink over the weekend.
The hockey starts on Saturday at 10 am and goes through until about 5. On Sunday we start at 10.15 and finish around 3 in order to get our visitors back to airports. All supporters are welcome but the LGS site is tight for parking on Saturday and visitors will need to park over the road at Premier Inn.