Isca Hockey Club News Articles

In Memoriam - Bill Goodridge an Isca Legend

Howie Ford — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 19:37:19 +0000

Bill Goodridge 1947-2023

Andrew “Bill” Goodridge, that larger than life, unforgettable man and unforgettable hockey goalkeeper died on 31 January 2023. He had a stroke whilst doing farmwork on his tractor in July 2022. Despite initial loss of speech and movement and a long spell in hospital, with huge support from Catherine he was making a determined recovery. But in December further illness brought him back to hospital, with serious complications which Bill fought valiantly to the end.

Bill was one of those men who had a finger in a lot of pies, who gave time, effort, experience, advice, encouragement, and so much else to lots of ideas, organisations and clubs and individuals.

Bill`s hockey career started with keeping goal for Dawlish HC (Teignmouth) in the early 1960s. In those far-off days you had to be without fear and more than a little crazy to stand in goal, protected only by a box, cricket pads, wicket-keepers gloves and some padded covers over studded leather football boots. He then played for a number of years for Torbay, at that time the leading club in Devon until he joined Isca in 1974.

At Isca Bill was one of a remarkable squad of players who would stay together for nearly 40 years, with national success at the start, winning the England Inter-League Club Championship in 1979, through to the England o50s cup in 2001, 02 and 05. Bill was the keeper throughout, and led the way by winning the penalty stroke deciders in two of those finals.

The period 1977/78 – 1986/87 was labelled by Bill the “Decade of Dominance” as Isca headed the West Premier League for the first 10 years of league hockey before moving into the top flight of the new national league. In those ten years Isca scored an average of 30 goals per season, while Bill in goal conceded a miserly average of less than 7 per season (and of course none of them were due to any error of his!).

During his 48 years with Isca Bill moved down through the teams finally playing for the 7th team and always displaying his competitive spirit, lightning reactions and speed around the circle. He was pleased to be promoted back to a higher team when called upon and always impressed on those occasions. He took great pride in helping and encouraging younger generations of players and especially the goalkeepers.

The club roles which Bill took on at various times included groundsman, annual draw organiser, team captain, indoor captain, fixture secretary, match secretary, joint club rep, umpire and umpires co-ordinator and any other responsibilities which he found were not being adequately covered. But even that list only hints at the extent of Bill`s contribution to Isca. He led by example, and inspired others to achieve results by a team effort. Such achievements included the drainage and improvement of the grass pitches at the County Ground and on the social side events such as the “30 Years On” festival in 2007 and the Centenary Celebrations in 2013. When Isca moved from its home at the County Ground Bill took charge of the club`s archive and memorabilia and has preserved it in his hockey museum. Older players will remember the memorable “teas” which Bill and Catherine hosted at South Duryard Farm after England LX v Isca or West Country/Gatfers teams.

Isca owes Bill a great debt. There is no doubt that his contribution helped to establish the foundations for Isca to become one of the top clubs in the West and the large and successful club it is today.

In the earlier days of touring hockey clubs Bill was also a regular player for Devon Dumplings, notably in their progress to the final of the World Cup Veterans Tournament against Barcelona in 1986.

Bill really flourished internationally in the past 20 years or so with England Masters and Grand Masters teams up to the o75s. In one dining room window of his farmhouse hang 6 or 7 of just some of his gold medals and in the other 9 or 10 silver and bronze ones from World and European cups and other international tournaments. In the 2018 o70 World Cup Final England defeated Australia 2-0 in the penalty shoot-out after Bill had stopped all four of the opposition`s attempts.

As with Isca, Bill`s contribution to England Masters Hockey was not limited to playing. He took an active role in the politics and administration of the sport, serving as West rep on the England LX HC committee and did much to encourage and develop masters hockey in the region, including Isca/LX events at Dawlish which always concluded with celebrations at the Langstone Cliff Hotel.

In committee and in contact with authority Bill could often be relied upon to present a controversial view and if necessary question the status quo. Such interventions did not always meet with approval, but served the valuable purpose of challenging complacency and ensuring proper debate of the issues which he saw as important.

Bill was noted for a sense of humour which was ever present, and above all for his great energy, generosity and welcoming nature. His imagination, drive, planning and attention to detail have been an inspiration to all. Isca and the wider hockey world have lost an outstanding servant, friend and team mate.

Girls U16s qualify for the Supraleague

Amy Robinson — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 16:28:07 +0000

They finished 2nd in West Tier 1. Good luck girls- we are all very proud of you.

Women's 6s go top of the league

Amy Robinson — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 16:25:04 +0000

The ladies have won 8 and drew 1 9. They currently have a goal difference of 28 going 5 points clear. Lets hope to a great 2nd half of the season.

Talent Academy Status 2022

Ellie Silkstone — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:36:26 +0000

We have always tried to offer hockey coaching and matches to players of all abilities and aim to support and develop players in the England Hockey Talent Pathway. In addition, we are delighted to confirm that ISCA Hockey club has completed Talent Centre Accreditation (Year 1) and will now be recognised as an England Hockey Talent Centre. It has been fantastic to see the journey the club has taken in working towards this accreditation and a lot of time and effort ahas been put in to get to this point.

You can find out more information about Talent Centres here: https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/play/talent-system/talent-centres

Junior Presentation Evening 2022

Ellie Silkstone — Sun, 15 May 2022 21:26:25 +0100

For those of you who were unable to make it, here is a round up of the awards and achievements of Isca junior section from the 2021/2022 season: Junior Presentation Evening Slides 2022.

You can download your own junior awards certificate here too: Junior Certificate 2022.

Thank you to Ellie

Amy Robinson — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 11:24:45 +0100

Ellie Silkstone (ISCA & UofE Club Captain) received a lovley gift from her fellow club mates to say thank you for the hard work she had put in this season. Ellie was presented with a clematis which she is looking forward to seeing grow in her garden. Thank you Ellie!

End of Season Awards

Amy Robinson — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 17:17:55 +0100

Award winners:

Womens 1s

Player of the season: Martha Taylor

Top Goalscorer: Kitty Baccanello

Womens 2s

Player of the season: Jen Hughes

Top Goalscorer: Jen Hughes

Womens 3s

Player of the season: Rach Cawker

Top Goalscorer: Bri Edmunds

Womens 4s

Player of the season: Maddie Schuchter

Top Goalscorer: Tammy Majavedia

Womens 5s

Player of the season: Ellen Dawson

Top Goalscorer: Helen Windsor

Womens 6s

Player of the season: Hannah Jackman

Top Goalscorer: Jo Burrington

Womens 7s

Player of the season: Meg Greenhalgh

Top Goalscorer: Nikki Hutchings/Meg Greenhalgh

Mens 1s

Player of the season: Cuthbert Shepherd

Top Goalscorer: Tom Brooks

Mens 2s

Player of the season: Grant Skinner

Top Goalscorer: Grant Skinner

Mens 3s

Player of the season: James Taylor

Top Goalscorer: Louis Myers

Mens 4s

Player of the season: Dave Newport

Top Goalscorer: Harry Mount

Mens 5s

Player of the season: Nigel Bower

Top Goalscorer: Alun Wong

Mens 6s

Player of the season: Tim Cartwright

Top Goalscorer: Adam Tremlett

U18s vs Clifton Robinsons - EH Cup

Nobody — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 22:56:27 +0100

Isca started strong and had a good opportunity within first few minutes. Lucy scored as a deflection from shot towards goal after a short corner after 12 mins play.

Alice then managed to score just before half time from open play.

Clifton came out after half time strong and determined and put in some good attacks which Isca defended well.

Isca tried to raise their tempo and managed half way through the second half to convert a short corner (El goal scorer).

In last 10 minutes we had two quick goals in open play to secure the win. (Lucy/Meg)

Amazing result - girls played well and had to keep up momentum despite hot weather!

Isca Easter Camp

Nobody — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 11:51:18 +0100

Isca HC are pleased to offer the opportunity to attend a hockey camp at the University of Exeter for school years 9 to 13. The camp will run from 10:00 to 15:00 on April 12th and 13th, and players will be grouped according to age and ability in order to offer the best possible experience.

Coaches will include some West Performance Centre Coaches and Devon JAC coaches. Specialist goalkeeper coaching will also be available for the whole course.

All skills will be delivered in the game context.

Players will be required to abide by the current England Hockey & Government Covid regulations but a range of training scenarios and full game play is permitted . We will aim to develop every player to the best of their ability and above all have fun getting back on the pitch.

Please use this link to apply by 7th April:

Application form

And then one of these links to pay:

Members £50

Non Members £60

See you there!

Return to Play from 29th March

Nobody — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 21:11:12 +0100

Hi Everyone,

We’re thrilled that England Hockey have finally announced that hockey can return from 29 March straight into the ‘Play - Step 4’ phase of their original Covid-19 roadmap. As of the 29th March, the government safer travel advice does not allow for car sharing to take place. This means we can train, play intra-club and local matches and summer league (adhering to COVID rules set out by England Hockey at all times). For further reading, please see the England Hockey guidance here:
https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/deliver/covid-19-guidance

With respect to intra-club hockey, the committee have had some long discussions and have agreed that Isca HC will be offering hockey throughout April (until Summer league starts) as part of this season, rather than on a per per play basis (as previously mentioned). This will primarily involve weekday hockey sessions (that will consist of predominantly game play) and we ask that you please attend in the squad you trained with this season. If you plan on attending, it is essential that you fill out the England Hockey ‘Individual consent for participating in hockey under Covid-19 restrictions’ form. If you have already done this once this season for Isca, you do not need to do this again.

You can fill out the England Hockey form here:
https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=NvkYmuiQxU--asEa8eSc6g-NqKCAUipGoe_luyiEaiZUMlE4NUVKRDZENzJGNUtNVEE5NVlXME9ETC4u

Isca HC will be offering the following sessions during April...

Tuesdays @ Exeter University:
U12 Girls (6:00pm - 7:00pm)
U14/U16 Girls (7:00pm - 8:15pm)
All league juniors & adult women (arrive at 8 for 8:15pm - 9:30pm)

Tuesdays @ Exeter School:
U12 Boys (6:00pm - 7:00pm)
U14 Boys (7:00pm - 8:00pm)
U16/U18 Boys (8:00pm - 9:00pm)

Wednesdays @ Exeter University:
Men’s 4/5/6s (6:30pm - 8:00pm)
Men’s 1/2/3s (8:00pm - 9:30pm)

Fridays @ Exeter School:
Years 10 - 13 mixed games (6:00pm - 7:30pm)
Adult mixed games (7:30pm - 9:00pm)

Saturdays @ Exeter School:
U10 boys and girls (upto Year 5) (9:00am - 10:30am)

Saturday 3rd April @ Exeter School:
Junior Matches:
U12 (10:45am - 12:00pm)
U14 boys (12:15pm - 1:30pm)
U14 girls (1:30pm - 2:45pm)
U16 (3:00pm - 4:15pm)

We’ve added Friday night mixed sessions to the usual bill upon request from our adult members during April. These sessions will purely be mixed games, so if you’re over 18 and interested please feel free to turn up & play. The latest information we have going forwards is that the womens and mixed summer leagues will go ahead as in previous seasons (with the mixed tournament starting late April), but may well be played at the university pitches rather than elsewhere in Exeter.