You may or may not have heard but our Ladies O35s Masters team (Newcastle Nanas) won the T3 National Championships Final at Lee Valley on 3rd May 2025! We are absolutely delighted and had the best time on and off the pitch. The travelling support was incredible and showed the true spirit of Newcastle and North East Hockey! We thought it would be good to give you an insight to the weekend with a match report written by non other than our Nanas Captain, Helen Hodgson.

Considering it was a long drive, in hot conditions with shocking traffic, the journey was both fun and productive:

- Tops and amazing goodie bag handed out. Thanks Fi & Lau, something for us all to treasure and be proud of
- Road to Lee Valley story - a mini or rather long account of the long, bonkers and never straight forward road
- Believe badges with cards handed out to people I truly BELIEVE in ………. Even if they ‘never cease to amaze me’ (said in whatever tone you decide!)

Here we shed our 1st tears, thanks young Nana, took one for the team and allowed others to shed the odd tear later. The travel time passed with games of Higher & lower played, high brow quizzes, before some serious hockey chat & the final crazy formation picture of the season! On arrival, we had a lovely team tea in Zizzis courtesy of the Armstrong & Dobbins, and then it was early to bed.

We all can make different choices for our morning preparations; some parkrun ?, some walking & some wedding dress shopping. We all choose HOCKEY!

Lee Valley, the home of hockey, many great legends and games have been played at this venue, time for our legends to play on Pitch 2.

We soaked up the atmosphere/made the atmosphere, we handed out autographs, supported fellow old people/northerners and generally enjoyed our time together before our big game ……… but we knew we were already winners.

There was plenty of photo shoot excitement, with stick check bonkerness
- Hans stick no good (must tape together)
- Nikkis new stick - failed
- Flem & Fis stick needed standing on

Eventually we got into our changing rooms, where there was excitement, nerves and fear. We had some music - local hero, ofcourse and a team talk attempted:

N - North East & Newcastle, be proud
A - Amazing
N - Nifty
A - Anticipate / assertive
S - Special

We wiped our eyes and had the 50th trip to toilets .... and off we went!

The walk out to the pitch held so many emotions but overall heads held high and proud. The emotions may have heightened on arrival to the gate of the pitch where we were greeted by Hockey legend Carol Marshall and family, and a huge mass of North East supporters and their banners -there is nothing like the Geordies!

Warm up
- We can joke now! New warm up - find Charlotte Brown ?
- 1st aid kit issue, surely Kev knows by now that I haven’t got a clue L or R, yellow or orange bag!
- Massive rush

We were planned & if things didn’t go to plan we could cope. As our names were called out as we walked out onto the pitch, the perfect song blasted through the speakers:‘Let’s get ready to rumble’ !

The game required all to do their job and that they did. The key highlights include:

- Goal 5mins, nothing wrong with Suze’s elbow then as she flew back to the middle
- 1-1 at 25mins from a penalty corner.
- 26 mins, the legend and one and only ladies club captain, Nikki scored. The crowd went wild & I’m sure Becca was so pleased she also choose hockey & Mark there as a proud husband
- Calm heads held out the 1st half

Half time
All was fine for 20mins, then there were some flashes of green…….
- 55 mins Flem ?
- 57 mins Hels ?
- 13mins of Newcastle grit and determination, Awesome tackles, Nifty tactics, Assertive communication
- The way we played out the game was SPECIAL and we’ll all remember that feeling when the crowd counted down from 10 seconds, the hooter went and then the final whistle - PURE JOY

As if Amy wasn’t hot enough, we rightly so had delightful pile up before heading to collect our well earned medal and trophy.

Whether you love playing to a crowd or not it was a really special moment to have them there and see the moment we lifted the SIDE PLATE and then share precious moments with them.

Each and every player, played their part and did their job and more importantly BELIEVED in each other and supported them through goldfish moments!

Not forgetting the support of new boy Mike, a great support for Kev, who let’s be honest has put up with us for far too long! Mike kept us calm and on the side lines, ensured subs were rotated correctly and played a crucial part of working with EH officials??.
Before the game Kev was clearly given the same aim as his players, to enjoy the game. I’m sure he lost a few more hair folicals throughout, but even he must be proud that what he asked us to do in training worked a treat. As all the players play for each other on the pitch, we also BELIEVE in coach Kev, he is our 12th player - he just needs to watch Ted Lasso to fully embrace the madness.

We set out with a plan
- Enjoy the build up ✅
- Be ready and prepared to reduce stress✅
- Enjoy the game ✅
- Enjoy every minute ✅

However, sometimes the best things happen when they are unplanned (not a Ted quote )!

The evening had us all on a high and celebrating our achievements together:
- Baz on the shots (lime cordial)
- Zimmers and walking stick
- Limbo dancing
- Han’s knee issues
- ⁠Don’t you know pump it up the Nana’s won the cup
- Attempts to pick up Kev went wrong!
- You’re either in or out & bouncer fun

Some chose BBT, others The Cow, eventually all went to bed proud and happy, Hels with her Side Plate! We were now National Champions.

We are a very proud club! Howay the Newcastle Nanas!