Penarth Hockey Club’s ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity is nigh, with the final stages of physical preparation and fund-raising campaigns currently being made ahead of the EuroHockey Club Challenge in the Ukraine.
With the 18-man squad and team officials due to fly to Kiev on May 31, the past few weeks of rigorous fitness sessions and warm-up matches against tough local opponents will be put to the test, mentally and physically, over a gruelling four days in Vinnitsa.
Penarth, who have claimed back-to-back league titles and consecutive Welsh Trophy final appearances in the past two seasons, have been slotted in Pool A of the eight-team tournament, taking place between June 1-5.
The draw pits the Bears against opposition from Belarus, Croatia and the Czech Republic while, in Pool B, the host club tackles rivals from Portugal, Denmark and Bulgaria.
The Vale club will face four games in as many days, potentially against pseudo-National sides, with temperatures in the mid-70s and high humidity levels.
Outside of training and regular work and university commitments, the team have been busy with numerous fund-raising efforts, including a car wash, bag packing and auction supporting a JustGiving crowd-funding page.
The events have been bolstered by donations from former players and new benefactors, the most notable coming from Penarth hostelry The Windsor, which has been added alongside the team’s regular sponsor, David Baker & Co, for the Ukraine trip.
In all, the club has fallen just £700 short of its fund-raising target of £7,500 which, given a time frame of just under five weeks since being invited to take part in the tournament to find the necessary accommodation and travel costs, represents an exceptional effort from all involved.
“I am extremely proud to be able to travel to Ukraine with this team,” Penarth player-coach Ben Croxall commented.
“We are taking an exciting squad to the tournament and, as well as being a great way to close another fantastic season, it will also be good preparation for 2017-18 season, where we will be facing tougher opponents week in week out in the GoCrea8 League Championship.
“We’re not expecting an easy time in Vinnitsa, as the teams we’ll be facing will all be of the highest quality, but we hope to show what Penarth Hockey Club has become over the past few years, and raise our game to uphold our status as one of the rising stars of Welsh hockey.
“It should be a great experience for all involved and, hopefully, will stand us in good stead going forward.”
It is not too late for potential sponsors to lend their support to the club on this momentous occasion, with interested parties urged to contact Croxall (b_croxall20@yahoo.co.uk) for further details.
Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. When the regular season resumes, training will take place on Wednesdays at Stanwell School, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7.00pm and 8.15pm.
Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.