Superteams "postponed"

This year's Superteams - due to take place on Sunday at Hatfield - has been "postponed until the Autumn", which is a pity as this presumably means that there is a real chance that it will clash with a match (though as no date has been released we do not yet know).

No reason for the postponement has been given, but this does mean that you will all now be able to support our display at Rhythms of The World on both the Saturday and Sunday (as well as a enjoying a bit of music). The displays will take place in the "arena" area of the site from 4.45 to 5.15 on both days. Wonky and Katie will be on the PA, Simon will be refereeing, and those not playing will be leafleting the crowd. If you are around and have not already put your name forward then let Mike know asap.

Superteams - volunteers step forward now

Now the dust has settled from the playing season we can look forward to our "traditional" sporting get-together that its Herts Superteams. Several of you were very enthusiastic about this when it was mentioned last week (Jess for one) but we need to begin to sort out who will be in the two teams.

Mike Alcock is co-ordinating the entries this year - please drop him a line if you are in any way interested. As places are limited the sooner you get in touch the better!

Superteams 2008 - its ON after all!!

Our little "fundraiser" (ie. we do tend to pick up the awards at this, and the prizes are of a financial nature) - Herts Superteams - is ON after all. Fears that it had been replaced with the new Sportshall event have proved groundless now as I have received details for the 2008 event.

The competition will be on Sunday 13th July, 10.30 to 4.00, at Hatfield Sports Village. There is a list of events, but I'll take that with a pinch of salt as it has never proved accurate in the past. Suffice to say that I'd expect that all the usual events will be there, is. basketball, hockey, gym tests, obstacle course, etc.

Teams of four - age on the day - in two age bands, 11-13 and 14-17, and we can enter two teams. It does say that teams be mixed, so we may need the help of some "token males" if anyone can unearth some - though that is not necessarily a show-stopper.

If you've been in this before then you'll know what fun it is. If you haven't - don't miss out this time! Closing date for entries is 29th June - if you are available please let me or Mike know asap.

No Superteams for us this year

It appears that there will not be a Superteams this year - at least not in the same format, or (crucially) on the same date. The organiser - Herts Association for Young People - appear to have decided to not only expand the "Highland Games" concept (so rather fewer multi-sport and "fun" events) but also have brought the date forward six weeks to 27th April, when we are likely to still be a bit busy. Teams sizes have also doubled from four to eight for the upper age band and you now HAVE to include 4 boys and 4 girls.

All in all a pity as its been a fun - and rather profitable - event for us over the past three years.

*If anyone is involved in any other youth clubs, and are free on 27th April, it still looks like a great day out. You will need to find a team of either fourteen 11-13 year olds, or eight 14-16 year olds (even split of boys and girls). More details from stuart.pittman@hertscc.gov.uk. Closing date for entries 21st April.

Another tournament, another trophy...

After missing out by half a point in 2005, and by one missed basket in 2006, one of our entries at Superteams finally came home with the title.

Okay, strictly speaking, Herts Superteams isn't actually a rugby tournament. And strictly speaking half the winning team were, well, male (but the rules do say that teams have to be mixed). And strictly speaking Nichola and Mel probably won't be playing next year - but they were team and club members this year, and were entered under the club's banner (well, more or less) so I reckon it counts. It was actually quite an impressive all-round performance with wins in at least four events - two year's experience of the tournament being an important factor.

The other U17 entry - including Hayley, Carla and Sasha - missed out on third place by a single point, having achieved a maximum score with the joker on the bungee run and also winning the rodeo bull - but missed out on points elsewhere.

The U16 team lead by Jess (and shown here apparently playing four-a-side badminton) were more consistent and would have stolen a place had they not played their joker on hockey - and made a complete pig's ear of the event.

In the U14 competition we saw the return of six of the girls from the North Herts tag team, and the younger they were the better they did. Hayley A's U14 combination only scored in hockey - but had the most memorable moment of the afternoon when Kieron managed to stay on the bull for the full minute.

A U12 team with three of the older Year 6 girls form the tag scored in two events - basketball and bungee run - but otherwise missed out, but the youngest team lead by Kate Summerfield - effectively a U11 team - did well scoring in several events, especially those that majored in skill rather than strength. Unfortunately there were a few of the latter where they failed to score. And it was great to see the tag girls again - hopefully the core of Heather's U12 district team next season.

More photos here or slideshow here... So now its just the presentation on Friday and finally the 2006/7 season will be at an end...

Superteams: arrangements for Sunday

Just to confirm details for Sunday's event....

When...

• Registration starts at 9.30, and the competition itself at 10.00, so ideally try to arrive between 9.30 and 9.45.
• Team Captains please ensure your team is registered whe you arrive. I may have to make two trips so probably will not be there are 9.30.
• The teams will probably be registered as "Letchworth girls rugby" A, B or C - if you want to negotiate a fancier team discuss this with the organisers - they will probably be okay with it so long as they haven't drawn up their scoresheets yet.

Where...

• It is in the main sports hall at the Sports Village where the Youth Games takes place.
• The event is free, but last year the sports centre were charging everyone £1 for entry to the centre.

Kit...

• Its indoors, so the appropriate indoor PE-type kit will be fine - trainers, t-shirts, shorts, etc. If you want to invent your own "team kit" be my guest. Girls who played in this year's tag could wear their North Herts shirts maybe (and I have a few spares) as at least that will mean I can find them...
• If you fancy a swim remember to bring your swimming kit (see below).

Refreshments and other matters...

• Food and drink can be bought - but it will not be cheap so I suggest you bring your own.
• It can get very warm in the sports hall - bring plenty to drink.
• The swimming pool will probably be open, either free or for a small charge (£1 last year). There will be time to take advantage of it - its a good pool - and if it does get warm its a great way to cool off.
• The competition wil probably finish early - it has in the past two years. Work on the assumption of a 3pm finish.
• If parents are not staying please ensure that you children have your mobile phone numbers etc.

Team captains...

Teams etc. in previous notice, captains being:

• U14 A: Kate Summerfield
• U14 B: Graham Birch
• U14 C: Hayley Aldridge
• U17 A: Jess Robinson ("Letchworth U16s")
• U17 B: Hayley Guilder ("Letchworth U17s")
• U17 C: Nichola Birch ("Swedish meatballs")

Your job...

• Register your team on arrival
• Make sure you get all your team on time to each event - don't let them wander off (without telling you where they are going)!!
• Decide which event you will play your "joker" in (ie. your best event - you will get double points for the "joker")
• Ensure the highest standards of sportsmanship... there are trophies and £250 up for grabs should you need an incentive!

Superteams - Update 3

The teams have now been entered.

However, due to some problems at the other end there are a few changes. These mainly affect the younger entrants as the 9-11 event is apparently for teams of 14! A slight oversight on the application form!

So the organisers have allowed us to move both of our U12 squads forward to the U14 event - and not worry too much about ages. This does, however, mean that everyone - including the U12s - will now need to be at Hatfield for 10am on 8th July (not 1pm).

The teams therefore will be:

U14 event:
North Herts A	North Herts B	Letchworth Girls Rugby U14s
Kate Summerfield* Beth Summerfield Aless Stevens Dominic Stevens	Lauren Armitage Graham Birch* Isla Mclachlan Alice Sunderland	Laura Wennington Hayley Aldridge* Arron Hobbs Kieron Threlfall
U17 event:
Letchworth Girls Rugby U16s	Letchworth Girls Rugby U17s	Swedish Meatballs
Jess ("Bunchies")* Natalie Emily Fern	Carla Sasha Hayley* Hannah (Sasha's friend)#	Nichola* Mel Simon Tomas

Notes:

* Suggested team captain. Based on previous Superteams experience, age, or the fact that they volunteered and no-one else did!

# Pinky has had to withdraw due to work commitments. Fortunately on the day I heard this Sasha also asked if a friend of her's - "Fields" from Reading - could take part. So - in the absence of anyone else - she is in.

All female teams: Note that Superteams is meant to be an event for mixed teams. If you are in an all female team there may be events (probably things like Sumo and Gladiators) where one of you will have to be the "honorary" male entrant. You may like to start to think about who this might be.

Superteams - progress so far.

U17s we have a galaxy of stars:

• Jess ("Bunchies")
• Fern
• Carla
• Sasha
• Hayley
• Natalie
• Emily
• Pinky
• Nichola + friends

Yell if I've missed someone. This gives us two teams, plus a third (probably Nichola's lot) entered under another name (probably "North Herts" - see below). Might need a male if anyone can find one.

For the U11s we have, so far:

• Kate Summerfield
• Beth Summerfield
• Aless Stevens
• Dominic Stevens
• Isla McLachan
• Graham Birch

So one team at least already. We'll probably enter this lot as "North Herts Girls" partly to avoid upsetting any sensibilities with other clubs that some already belong to, but also so that if they win anything it can go towards the U12 set-up that is being planned.

Thus far no U14s though. As there is an overlap between the U11s and U14s (because 11 year olds can play in either) even one or two U14s coming forward would give us the basis of a team - and I am sure we have a hydrotechnician who would like to take part as well. So come on girls!

Superteams 2007: entries now open!

Entries are now open for Superteams 2007 (Sunday 8th July, at Hatfield Sports Village). It sounds as if it will be even bigger this year with the following events listed:

• bungee run
• initiative tests
• basketball skills
• hockey
• gym tests
• "gladiators" pugil sticks
• "sumo" wrestling (worth going for this alone - ask Hayley!)
• PLUS a "fun hall" with various games, including indoor hockey and the rodeo bull
• AND access to the swimming pool and climbing wall

Its all FREE and takes place at the Sports Village in Hatfield on Sunday 8th July from 10am to 4pm.

We can enter two teams in each age group - that is 14-17, 11-13 and - for the first time this year - 9-11. Age on the day!

Thus far I think I have Jess ("Bunchies"), Fern, Carla, Sahsa, and Hayley G "on board" for the U17s (and Pinky has now expressed and interest), so there is room for a couple more (and/or the formation of a new "youth club" if we get too many?) , but I don't have any U14s signed up yet (never mind U11s).

Theoretically we need to include at least one male in each team as well - so if you can find a reasonably house-trained example who would not object to representing "Letchworth Girls" that would be useful.

There is also no actual requirement for any team-mates to be club members at all - indeed for the U14s this could be an ideal opportunity to bring along a few friends to meet the rest of the squad in the hope that they might be persuaded to join in next season.

Closing date for entries is 22nd June - but don't wait until then!!

SuperTeams 2007 - don't miss it!

The date for SuperTeams 2007 has been set and it is....

Sunday 8th July

For those who do not know what this is... boy have you missed out over the past two years (see here for a report on last year).

Essentially is a sort-of "Its a Knockout" multi-sport event, and is huge fun. And quite profitable too - there are cash prizes and we have won something in each of the past two years.

The complete list of events is not announced until the day, but some seem to be fixtures so we can probably expect games based on the like of hockey skills, basketball, and badminton as well as the dreaded gym tests. In addition though there will be a number of fun events, which in past years have included sumo wrestling, rodeo bull riding, pugil sticks, and "joust".

Each of these events have had resulted in some memorable performances over the years - Nichola's 100% performance in basketball let down by her team-mates missing every shot; Katie showing how not to play hockey, Hayley G being unbeatable at sumo, Hayley A being matted by her erstwhile teammates at joust, Fern effortlessly winning on the bungee run, Nim showing why its a good job she chose rugby over football - but maybe above all the sight of Joe, Katie, Nim and Chloe being murdered by Nichola, Carla, Mel and Adam at gym tests!

We can enter four teams of four or five people - though one theoretically has to be male, which has sometimes been our undoing in the past as the male team member has tended to underperform (Joe in particular can forget a career in rodeo) while the male side of the club has shown no interest in anything other than the resulting cheques. So if anyone has any reasonably athletic brothers/ friends/ relations in the right age group could you start pushing for them to take part - now?

If it is the same as last year two of the teams will be for ages 11-13, and two for ages 14-17 - but note it is AGE ON THE DAY (so Joe - and Nim - are excused this year).

Let me know if you are interested.

New girls and "party people" outshine "stars" at SuperTeams

A long warm day at Hatfield ended in ultimate triumph at SuperTeams 2006.

A combination of "Its a Knockout" and "SuperStars" this was the second time some of our girls had taken part. Last year a team with Nichola, Hayley and Carla in it had lost out by a single point, but this year it looked like we would be even more unlucky as the results were announce and Nichola's U17 "B" team missed out on third place (and £75) by half a point.

For a while then it seemed the most memorable feature of the day would be the way Nichola's "only here for the craic*" combination had done so much better than Joe's all star U17s (including Nim, Katie, and Chloe), who finished up rather further down the list. Nichola's party-people had even beat Joe's team on the gym tests!

But this inter-U17 rivalry was all forgotten when it was announced that Fern Glenister's U14 team (aided by Harriet Long, Hannah Reynolds, and Graham Birch) had won the "Fair Play" award... and £250!

Hayley Aldridge also coped well with her first experience of captaincy, though her team (which included new U14s Becky and Laura, as well as Becky's brother Stuart) never recovered from a poor performance "joker" event.

All in all it was a fun event with several memorable performances. Nichola showed fautless class at basketball, Hayley and Fern triumphed over the bungy run, one of the U14s stayed on the rodeo bull right to the end (sorry - I can't remember which one! Let me know and I'll edit this), Katie showed why she doesn't play much hockey anymore, Joe showed why a career in wild west rodeo might not be a good idea, and Hayley found her new team-mates a bit of a handful on the joust - though perhaps Fern and Nim battering each other to a memorable draw on the same equipment, each giving no quarter, was probably the highlight of the day!

In the end then a profitable day, and a good way of introducing several new faces to the club!

PS. There are a few more photos from the day in the album - follow the link on the right. And no doubt Nikki will be adding some comments as well...

*[Craic: From Irish gaelic - means fun, experience, good time. Nearest English would be "Here for the beer", but that would not be appropriate as a) you're not old enough and b) there wasn't any].

SuperTeams: timing, teams and events

Teams

It looks like we will have four teams in the SuperTeams competition on 16th July.

• U17s "A": Joe (Capt.), Katie, Nim, Chloe
• U17s "B": Nichola (Capt.), Carla, Mel, Adam, Jadie
• U14s "A": Fern (Capt.), Graham, Harriet Long, Hannah Reynolds
• U14s "B": Hayley (Capt.), Beckey Rasch, Becky's brother, Laura(?), Arran

You will note that both "B" teams have potentially five members... that gives us a bit of flexibility if someone can't make it. If we do end up with too many we will try to ensure that the "extra" person is fully involved!

Timings

• Registration: 9.30
• Start: 10.00
• Finish/presentations: 3.30

Events

Looks like some changes have been forced here. No sumo, unfortunately - but there are now eight events, not seven:

1. Hockey Skills: Relay for all four team members. Dribble a ball through cones, shoot, score a "goal", return. Fastest time wins.
2. Skittles: Each team member takes two throws. Best score wins
3. Rodeo Bull: Two members of each team try to stay on the bull as long as possible!
4. Bungee run: Each team member has two runs - longest total distance wins
5. Basketball: Each team member dribbles and shoots. Most baskets in two minute wins.
6. Football speed test: Each player has three kicks, which are measured by a speed gun. Total speeds added together.
7. Pole Joust: One person represents each team in a game based on medieval jousting (!)
8. Gym test relay: Each team member does six sits ups, runs through a "two feet ladder" exercise, then throws a bean bag at a target. Best overall time wins.

Each team also has a "Joker" to play which doubles their score in a chosen event - but the Joker has to be played BEFORE the event!

The swimming pool is also open, as will be the climbing wall. Spectators (including parents) can also use the pool!

Prizes

Medals, etc. - plus £250 for winning teams, £125 for runners up, and a £250 "Fair Play" award.

See you on the 16th.

If you need transport please say so NOW!

Hertfordshire "SuperTeams" - UPDATE!

Make a date in your diary for "SuperTeams" at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield on 16th July.

Three of our girls - Hayley G, Carla, and Nichola - found out about this by chance (and at the last minute) last year - but entered, had a brilliant time - and finished runners up (and £100 richer as well)!

Details or this year's event have now been published - and it looks even better than last year.

There are separate competitions for 11-13s and 14-17s (age on the day), and each team has to have four members, and must be mixed (ie. can't be all boys or all girls).

In each competition there will be seven events (one more than last year):

• Obstacle courses
• Initiative tests
• Basketball skills
• Gym test
• Racquet skills
• "Gladiators" (ie. pugil sticks)
• Sumo wrestling (see Hayley preparing for this last year above!)

In addition there will be a number of "fun" activities (which spectators can also have a go at), including:

• Indoor hockey
• Volleyball
• "Rodeo bull"
• Climbing wall
• Swimming

There are cash/equipment prizes - and the whole day is FREE!

If you are interested in taking part please let me know as soon as possible (we have two weeks to get entries in). U17s should also copy Joe in as well as he will be helping to organise the the U17 teams (as well as taking part himself). In case of doubt it'll be first come, first served!