The ladies will travel to newly promoted (Conference North) side Cannock on Saturday 26th August, before hosting Leamington HC of the Midlands Prem and Loughborough Students (Investec Conference North) the following two Saturdays. Finally, the week before the season starts the squad will travel to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis centre for the PLUM tournament (with the fixtures for this event still TBC)

• 26th August - AWAY V Cannock at 1-30pm push back
• 2nd September - HOME V Leamington at 2-30pm push back
• 9th September- HOME V Lboro at 1pm push back
• 16/17th September - PLUM TOURNAMENT at Lee Valley

Speaking about the schedule captain Rachel Jackson said “We are pleased we have been able to confirm our target fixtures for our pre-season programme. It gives us a good mixture of opposition from the National League as well as new teams that will pose different challenges to the group. Participating in the PLUM will also be great for team spirit and playing at an iconic venue is always exciting. This tournament is also the warm up for the umpires so we can ensure we are on the same page before our league campaign starts. We are all really excited to be back on the pitch”

In further pre-season news, the squad are back in training this week working with newly appointed S+C coach Nick Card. Card works at Northampton Saints and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and also plays hockey so will be creating a specific programme akin with the types of fitness during a hockey game with lots of short sharp speed work as well as core strength drills which will also help prevent injuries. Nick commented “It’s the squad’s objective to be the fittest in the league and that is a part of the game that is very controllable so I am looking forward to getting started this week and helping prepare the team to play in the top echelon of English Hockey”

BHC are recruiting this summer and keen to hear from anyone interested in playing hockey next season. There are six ladies teams including the L1s back in the National League so all ages and abilities are catered for at the club. Contact Kate Costin on katecostin@btinternet.com or visit www.bedfordhockeyclub.com