Hockey officials hand out silver status to Borders clubs

Those accolades were conferred under a programme designed to support the work of clubs with ambitions to be the best they can be.

Squads around the country can work towards achieving silver or gold club status.

Scottish Hockey said increasing participation in hockey and achieving high standards while developing coaches, volunteers and players are key to a club’s success.

The sport’s bosses acknowledged none of that would be possible without the dedication of hard-working volunteers.

Successful clubs had worked hard to fulfil all the needs of accredition, said Scottish Hockey, adding: “It’s a tremendous achievement, especially against the challenging circumstances of Covid-19.”

Janet Jack, Fjordhus Reivers’ head coach, said the club had enjoyed some great youth competition (U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s) with Kelso in recent months, as they’d been unable to travel to different areas because of the tier system.

“It is fantastic to be able to say we are recognised by Scottish Hockey as being a club which has good governance and it lets people know we take their involvement in the club seriously,” added Janet.

“It demonstrates good practice procedures and allows any of our members to feel safe and valued.

“Everything, from our welcome packs to child protection procedures, to our club structure and organisational chart, allows them to understand our club culture and the safe and inclusive environment with a family feel we provide.

“We are so fortunate to have an amazing committee, which is forward-thinking, and we are always looking to the future and thinking of ways we can develop and progress.”

Mary Weir, of the Kelso club, said: “This is a considerable step forward for the club and recognises the work they have done to establish a strong governance structure and that they are now compliant with recommended best practice in a number of areas.

“Silver recognises Kelso as a strong club that supports workforce, is well organised and efficient and is a safe place for members with a focus on growth and retention.

“This will ultimately make the running of the club easier and more sustainable for both current and future members.

“A lot of work has gone into this over the last couple of years so silver accreditation is a great reward for all the effort put in by members of the club.”

Mary added: “We have been especially pleased with the growth in membership of younger members in the club and also with the number of boys now playing hockey.”