Newark Hockey Club ladies’ 3rds coach Adrian Parrett says team will adapt to Midlands Hockey League Division 5 North East challenge

The coach of Newark ladies’ 3rds expects his side to improve throughout the season.

They’ve lost their opening two fixtures in Division 5 North East of the Midlands Hockey League.

But with many of the side moving up from last year’s 4ths, it will take time to adapt to the higher level.

“There’s no doubt they will improve over the season,” said coach Adrian Parrett.

“If we finished mid-table that would be a good result for us and I’m sure we will.

“They’ll improve as they play. They’ll see how they need to play, how other teams are playing and how to adapt.”

Newark lost 9-0 to their own second team on Saturday but it was a harsh scoreline.

Parrett said: “The 2nds came down from the league above and the 3rds are potentially more of a 4ths.

“I don’t think the result reflected the game.

“The 2nds had more opportunities to score and took their chances, whereas we didn’t take ours.”

It’s never easy facing clubmates when league points are on the line, with everyone knowing each other.

But Parrett added: “When the whistle goes, you go into game mode and go out to win as best you can.

“When the full-time whistle goes, you can go back to being friends and socialising. It’s just trying to manage that.”

The team aren’t blessed with numbers but that’s not an uncommon theme these days.

Parrett feels things have changed since the Covid pandemic.

He said: “We have a core of probably eight players for the 3rds.

“Since Covid, people aren’t as available as they used to be, so we’re always mixing and matching.

“The men have a similar thing as well and when you talk to other teams, they have the same situation.

“Across team sports, priorities have changed a little bit and maybe family time is more important.

“We’ve actually got quite a few families involved at the club, which is something we encourage.”

Parrett, who still plays for Newark men’s 3rds, has previously coached the juniors and the ladies’ 4ths.

He’s new in his current role this season but the fixtures are such that he can juggle playing and coaching.

“While I’m able and fit enough, I’d rather play but to give back to hockey I’ll keep coaching as well,” said Parrett.

“The ladies play in the morning and most of the men’s games are in the afternoon.

“There are one or two fixture clashes but it’s manageable and all the games are fairly local, which helps.”

The ladies’ 3rds host Trent Vale at the Magnus Academy this Saturday (11.45am).