This year has once again proved to be busy, with the major emphasis being on the expansion of the England Hockey single system in the five centres across the County. The centres operated between September and December and were well supported and the feedback from all involved continued to be very good. The county JAC’s ran at Maidstone HC and Tonbridge School from January to March and were also very successful. The JAC teams were very successful in both the East and South competitions. Our County single system co-ordinator decided to resign in July and we were very lucky to recruit James Daniels on a temporary basis until we were able to permanently appoint in April. Richard Young is now in post and I am confident that he will continue to develop the good work of his predecessors.

The management committee have met on four occasions. Members of the committee have also attended regional meetings or delegated others to attend. The sub-committee responsible for the Single System have also met twice and also interviewed the candidates for the Single System co-ordinator.

There was a Chairman’s meeting in April which was attended by representatives from numerous clubs. The issues discussed were mostly about the Single System and umpiring and these items are also on the agenda for discussion tonight.

I am pleased to say that the new County website has been more widely used but this is still an area for development. We have divided up the Clubs in the County and each Club representative on the committee is liaising directly with their group to try and improve communication.

I am delighted that we will again be welcoming new members to the committee next season and I would like to thank to all the members of the existing committee and the sponsors.

Finally I would like to announce that next season will be my last one as Kent President. I feel deeply honoured and privileged to have held the office but feel it is time for someone else to take on the role and the committee will be proposing David Browne, our current secretary, at next years AGM

Jackie Gibbs

18 May 2010 .