Boys U18/U16 Inter-Districts & Men’s National/Regional League dates recheduled

Scottish Hockey have made an amendment to fixture
schedules following a clash with the Boys U18 & U16
Inter-District event and the Men’s National and Regional League
fixtures.

The Boys U18 & U16 Inter-District will now
be played on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October
(a change from 8th & 9th October dates which were issued by
Scottish Hockey last week).

Subsequently, all Men’s National and
Regional League matches which were scheduled for the
weekend of Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October will now
be moved to Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October
respectively.

Background

The 1st & 2nd October was, in fact, the original scheduled
dates for the Boys U18 & U16 Inter-District
event but due to pitch non-availability at
Peffermill, planning re-focussed to the following weekend (i.e.
8th/9th October).

However, on publication of the schedule last week, it
became apparent that two issues remained more significant than was
originally appreciated:

1. With October holidays in Highland, North and Midland commencing
   on Friday 7th October, non-availability amongst players, coaches
   and officials was revealed to be greater than anticipated.
2. Secondly, significant planning for the weekend of the 1st &
   2nd October had already been undertaken by some Districts that
   would be difficult to alter.

Concurrently, the pitch availability issue improved
following negotiations.

Maximum possible attendance for this performance event is
desirable and as a result, the Boys U18 & U16
Inter-District event will take place in
Edinburgh at Peffermill on Saturday 1st October and at another
Edinburgh venue (TBC) on Sunday 2nd October.

The unfortunate knock-on effect is that the Men’s National and
Regional league fixtures will now be rescheduled, with games which
were due to be played on the weekend of the 1st & 2nd October
being rescheduled for weekend of the 8th/9th October.

It is hoped that this amendment, five days after original issue
and ten weeks ahead of the dates in question, will not cause too
much inconvenience.

Decision

Since this clash of dates was revealed, considerable work has
taken place to ensure that the best decision for Scottish hockey as
a whole was made, including wide discussions with District
Presidents, District Youth Convenors and the Honorary
President.

The non-availability of District players, coaches and officials
for the Inter District event, and the subsequent devaluation of the
competition was balanced against the potential disruption to some
of the men’s senior Clubs.

On balance, it was deemed that to revert the Inter
District to 1st & 2nd October was the way forward.

It should be pointed out that the requirement
to change dates has been outwith the responsibility of the
Competitions and Events Manager, who continues to work to minimise
amendments to the programme.

Scottish Hockey apologises for any inconvenience caused to the
senior clubs and thanks those that have worked so hard over the
last five days to assess impacts and consider solutions.

Thank you.

Robert Heatly MBE
CEO, Scottish Hockey

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