Dear HWHC Members and Friends,
As we are now well into the tail end of our 2025/26 season, the Board of trustees and committee wanted to say thanks, as we have turned the page on a remarkable chapter in our club's history.
First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Osman Rankin, who stepped down as Chairman earlier in the season. Oz has been a stalwart of the club for many years—serving not only as Chairman but also as Club Captain, youth coach, umpire, and a tireless supporter of everything HWHC.
During Oz's tenure as chairman, the club has seen the women's promotion into the National League and their historic winning of the EuroHockey Club trophy in 2025 (laying the foundations for 2026), the men’s team achieve their historic national title in 2019 and the phenomenal growth of the youth section together with the creation of the talent academy.
Oz’s contribution had been formally recognised as far back as 2005, when he was awarded the Woodpecker Tankard, the club’s established Member of the Year award. This was first presented in 1969 by the President on the recommendation of the Committee to individuals whose overall contribution to the club that season by far exceeded that of others. Oz’s early recognition is reflected in the consistency of the same dedication over two decades through his regular appearances on the umpiring rota and coaching the next generation in our youth section. Oz has exemplified the spirit of service and community that lies at the heart of HWHC.
As we say thank you to Oz and welcome him as a trustee, we also say thanks to Earl Griffith, his successor as Chairman, who took up the role earlier in the year.
Earl has already contributed greatly to the club both on and off the pitch—as a player and as a tireless fundraiser—and he brings invaluable professional experience that will serve the club well in this next phase.
Please join us in thanking Oz for his years of outstanding service, and in thanking Earl for his continued efforts and leadership in the role.
Sincerely,
HWHC Board of Trustees and Committee
Our Partners
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