Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s pre-season pitch training got off to a flying start this week with a trip to Ayr and two sessions on the astroturf at Bangor Grammar School.

Last weekend seven members of the club – made up of both 1st and 2nd Eleven players – made the short hop to Scotland to take part in the two day Ayr Hockey Festival. With this the first time the girls had taken to the pitch since the end of last season, there was understandable rustiness in the sticks but that didn’t stop the Dee girls enjoying the excellent facilities and partaking in the superb hospitality on offer from the host club.

The intrepid tourists got themselves home and on to the pitch at Bangor Grammar on Monday night in time for the first club training session and there was a super showing, with almost 30 turning out for Head Coach Brian McKee. Particularly pleasing were the number of new faces who joined current members of the club; an aspect which was repeated last night at the second training night of the week.

With league matches beginning on 12th September this year, DLHC training will continue on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7.30-8.30pm until the start of the season for everyone before cutting to one night for everyone and the second night for the much anticipated Skill Masterclasses for smaller, specific groups of players.

Match action starts this weekend with a friendly arranged for a mixed DLHC side against Ards Ladies 3XI. Pass back is 2.30pm at BGS on Saturday and all support is welcome.

For more information on the club visit www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk find us on Facebook and Twitter or email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk.