BROMSGROVE Hockey Club begins its preparations for the new season with a club day to welcome players.

The club is opening up its Colmer's Farm pitch, in Great Park, Rubery, between noon and 4pm on Saturday, August 31 for existing and new players.

During the day, the men's and ladies' sections will play in a mixed teams friendly festival as warm-up for a series of friendly matches before the season proper on Saturday, October 5.

At a similar day, held in May, the annual awards were presented. The men's player of the season went to 15-year-old Bevan Edwards and the ladies' player of the season was Claire Brooks.

Junior hockey coaching sessions at Bromsgrove School, in Worcester Road, begin on Sunday, September 8. For more details, contact Andy Potter on 01905 755161.