Bann President hopeful that all reservations will be answered

Banbridge Hockey Club President Sheree Totton and Vice President Neil Madeley (inset) have had a tough decision on their hands as they look out for both the mens and ladies sides of the club, including Banbridge Ladies First Team.

Banbridge Hockey Club’s first female President has highlighted the particular concerns her club have with regards to the proposals for the women’s game but is optimistic that the IHL will explain all before the clubs cast their votes.

“The ladies’ game is different from the men’s game in that our teams are very dependent on schoolgirls,” she said. “We are asking them to come and play their club hockey in the afternoon having played for their school on a Saturday morning. Schoolgirls’ hockey is very strong in Ulster.

“We can only take it from the perspective of our schoolgirls, how it will affect them and how the changes will affect schoolgirls’ hockey in Ulster.

Sheree Totton is the "first lady" to hold the office of President of Banbridge Hockey Club, she is congratulated by her predecessor Neil Madeley © Edward Byrne Photography INB1425-242EB

“The ladies game is also different in that the ladies teams don’t have the same kind of finances behind them as some of the men’s teams would have.

“I would be confident that we will have the answers to all of these sorts of questions at the meeting on Sunday, prior to any vote being taken.”

Although the proposals, if passed, would have no immedate impact on Bann, Totton says they are targetting the top.

“Our aspirations are to be at the top level,” she said. “We’re in Senior One now so if the vote goes through and we were to come up, the IHL2 structure of an end-of-season tournament would be better suited to us because of our reliance on schoolgirls.

“I can’t see school hockey being moved from Saturday mornings so there are questions there that need to be answered.”