Three of a kind stick together

TALENTED TRIO: Sarah Barlow (left), Kevin Jackson and Yvonne Jackson have used their expertise for the benefit of Oldham Ladies’ Hockey Club.

Hockey club’s devoted members clock up 60 years’ service
OLDHAM Ladies’ Hockey Club will in 2012 celebrate its 60th birthday – the same number of years that Kevin Jackson, Yvonne Jackson and Sarah Barlow have served the club between them.

And their dedication hasn’t come without success – coach Kevin, who started his seventh season with the club last month, guided the first team to two cup-final victories and promotion to North Women’s League Division Two.

Kevin also coaches the club’s second and third teams and last season helped them keep their places in the Greater Manchester League’s first and third divisions respectively.

His wife, Yvonne, is also heavily involved with the club, having played for them since 1984 and taken on various roles over the years, namely treasurer, vice-captain, captain, and her current position as club captain.

Club secretary Sarah has been just as active for the club, which celebrates its diamond anniversary this season, since joining as a schoolgirl in 1985 and progressing from player to committee member.

And the hard-working trio could soon scoop another prize to add to their recent success – they have been jointly nominated for the Pride in Oldham sports administrator award.

“I am happy someone has thought I deserve nominating, but you don't do things to get awards, you do things because you want to do them,” said Kevin.

“I started watching my daughter play and was getting frustrated with the tactics, so someone said 'put your money where your mouth is' and I started to help out and it progressed from there.

“The key to success last season was the dedication of the squad.

“Consistency plays a big part and, of course, it is much easier to coach good players, and they are all very good at what they do.

“We have been promoted into a very difficult league. My aim, as always, is that we give it our best, and at the end of the season if we can look at ourselves and be happy that we have done that, then no-one can ask any more.

“It is very nice to be nominated, but I think there are much more deserving people and two of those are Yvonne and Sarah.

“Yvonne deals with most things no-one else wants to.

“If anyone has a problem they go to her and she will sort it out.”

Sarah, who organises the club’s fixtures and is also on the Greater Manchester Hockey League committee with Yvonne, added: “I’m thrilled to be nominated.

“The hockey club means a lot to me, Yvonne and Kevin. We are one big family.

“I still play and I have only stopped while having babies and breaking my foot, although if Yvonne had had her way, I would have played with the broken foot!”

“I help the club because over the years it has been good to me and this is my way of giving a little back.

“But the club is not just me, Yvonne and Kevin.

“It is run by the whole committee and everyone works so hard and does an excellent job.”