On this two-part weblog, I’m right here to take you on somewhat journey, the journey of Allan Orient, as a Hockey Maker at England Hockey. So, seize your hockey sticks and huddle up as we dive into why being a Hockey Maker is one thing value doing.
These are actually thrilling instances for England Hockey. Final 12 months we noticed the Ladies’s staff write historical past by successful gold on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Video games, whereas this 12 months the Males’s staff reached the ultimate of the EuroHockey Championships for the primary time in 14 years and received the silver medal. Our Hockey ID staff additionally did wonders in Europe by successful a silver medal.
Having been fortunate sufficient to be shut to those gamers all through the years, all these achievements appear private for a Hockey Maker like me. It seems like you’re a part of all these achievements. It’s a proud feeling to be contributing to the game in no matter capability potential as a Hockey Maker.
I’ve been volunteering in varied types because the Nineteen Eighties after I first determined to present one thing again to Hockey. My contribution then was to start out teaching the Juniors at my Membership in Preston, Fylde HC (formally referred to as Springfields HC). I then moved on to teaching adults after I realised I might make a giant distinction in how they performed the sport and enhance their performances. On the similar time, I began to become involved with operating a gaggle of Enterprise Scouts with a buddy. Though the scouting volunteering completed within the late 90s lots of these scouts nonetheless be in contact to this present day.
My journey as a ‘Hockey Maker’ began on the 2002 Commonwealth Video games held in Manchester. My first of three CWG, to this point. At the moment, my function was Assistant Venue Know-how Supervisor on the primary stadium, most likely on account of the truth that my entire working profession had been in ICT.
It was one other 5 years earlier than my subsequent main volunteering function, once more in Manchester, this time for the EuroHockey Nations Championship. My function for that occasion, which was run by England Hockey, was again of the home as a Logistics particular person, however earlier than the tip of the match, I used to be suggested by England Hockey that my expertise have been finest suited to front-of-house, coping with folks.
This proved to be the turning level in my volunteering profession and relationship with England Hockey and I’ve not appeared again since. This expertise was shortly adopted by a lot of different worldwide occasions in successive years, which led me to be employed by the London Olympic Committee on a full-time foundation to help the operating of Hockey on the 2012 Olympics in London.
Over the many years I’ve been actually privileged to volunteer at varied worldwide and home hockey occasions within the nation. Among the large moments can be the honour of assembly Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, carrying the nationwide flag for Barry Middleton’s 150 caps and being Subject of Play supervisor at a number of the main world rating worldwide finals. However for me, the largest moments have to be receiving the 2 Hockey Maker of the 12 months awards, ten years aside. There are various extra great recollections and moments through the years. So many it’s troublesome to recollect all of them after doing quite a few occasions.
For me personally, to be recognised for the work and dedication that you simply put into volunteering is a reward in itself. I’ve been humbled and privileged to win the Hockey Maker Volunteer of the 12 months award twice. There are such a lot of extra volunteers which might be simply as worthy of the award. It’s not nearly me, there are a complete host of individuals that you simply depend on to allow you to do your bit. Profitable this award is me choosing it up on their behalf.
Within the subsequent weblog, I can be unveiling what a volunteering day seems to be like for a Hockey Maker at England Hockey occasions.
Right here’s how one can be a part of the Hockey Household – https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/faqs/faqs-hockey-makers/faqs-getting-involved/how-do-i-become-a-hockey-maker
