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MP Bill Esterson and former Great Britain player Mikey Hoare hailed the return of hockey from the Coronavirus lockdown at a fundraiser at The Northern Club in Crosby. The Sefton Central MP joined volunteers and GB star Hoare, who is a former pupil of Range High School in Formby, at the event, on Friday, 7 August 2020. The MP, who plays hockey for Formby, said he was delighted to support the club and the event. Mr Esterson said:- "It really was a great day and so fantastic to see the players smiling and enjoying hockey after a difficult period of lockdown."

The event was hosted by Mikey Hoare, who was a member of the GB team from 2012 until March this year. Mikey recently launched a coaching company called the Hockey Lab to promote youth hockey and talent development. The Northern Club's team of volunteer coaches and their teen players were put through their paces on a day of interactive and fun challenges, and the event ended with a social BBQ at the Crosby club's sports ground. Organisers worked hard to ensure Covid secure measures were in place.

Event organiser and chair of the hockey section of the club Simone McCaskill said:- "We know hockey and being part of a supportive and inclusive club brings so much to the lives of young people physically, emotionally and personal development wise, which is what we pride ourselves on at the Northern club. We're especially happy that on the day of the event England Hockey announced that we can now progress plans for local games to take place. Over the past couple of months although we've been back training, hockey has been restricted to socially distanced training drills in groups of 6 with no stick contact with other players. This has required us to be very creative in how we run sessions, so it's great that we are now on a trajectory to start stage 5 which will be league competitions restarting, hopefully inline with the usual league start time of September 2020. This is great news for all hockey players across the country. We have always got our door open ready to invite new players of all ages and abilities. We are very much a family club and there is lots to get involved with what ever your sport or ability at the Northern club."

The Northern currently offers hockey coaching to children from age 7 through to 50+ and from April 2021 will also be offering England Hockey's Hockey Heroes programme for 5 to 8 year olds. The club has three senior teams active in competitive hockey leagues and works in partnership with a range of clubs across the Liverpool city region and beyond to create game and festival opportunities for 7 to 14 year olds.

Mr Esterson said:- "The Northern is a great club supported by fantastic volunteers and its great to see the game of hockey thriving among players of all ages. It was a pleasure to go along to support this event and I know all the players feel the same way I do about getting back to playing matches: we can't wait. Sefton has three hockey clubs, Northern, Formby and Southport. They all do a great job coaching youngsters and encouraging more people to play this wonderful game. I have been fortunate to play hockey for over 40 years and I am always pleased to see people like Mikey Hoare giving back so much. Mikey also ran a session at Formby, which is the club where he started his hockey journey and I wish him well with his coaching work."

For more on hockey at The Northern Club see:- NorthernClub.UK.

DEBRA Roose and Diane De Isaula have been appointed by New Care as Home Manager and Deputy Manager respectively at Formby Manor Care Centre, on Liverpool Road, Formby. The duo will work together, combining their knowledge and expertise, to run the 76 bed state of the art care facility, which offers residential, Nursing and Dementia Care services. Originally from North Wales, Debby has more than 35 years' experience in care home management most recently as the registered manager for a care home in the London area. She is delighted to have 'come home' to take up this new position at Formby Manor. Despite joining during the Coronavirus pandemic, she has quickly become part of the vibrant team at Formby Manor, blending seamlessly with the existing team of permanent employees and helping to deliver exceptional care and wellbeing for each and every resident despite the difficult circumstances. She said:- "Having worked around the UK, I was really keen for my next move to bring me back home to the North West. I looked at lots of different opportunities, but this one with New Care stood out for me; I was impressed with the company's values and its beautiful purpose built facilities and was over the moon to get the job. As a relatively young Care Centre, it is my aim to develop and strengthen our presence in the region and ensure we become the care home of choice in Formby and the surrounding areas."

With qualifications in end of life, palliative care and infection control, Diane is also well placed to join the management team at Formby Manor. After starting work at the age of 15 at St Joseph's Hospice in Thornton, she was asked by Father Francis O'Leary to help set up a 40 bed hospice for patients with HIV and other diseases in Honduras. While in Honduras, she met her husband and returned to the UK where she continued to work for St Joseph's Hospice while completing her Registered General Nurse (RGN) training. Again, Diane was impressed with New Care from her 1st visit:- "I'm so looking forward to this role at Formby Manor, I can honestly say that from the moment I walked into the reception area I fell in love with the building and the residents and staff. The atmosphere here is unbelievable and the care is just amazing."

CEO at New Care, Chris McGoff, added:- "We are pleased to welcome both Debby and Diane to the team and are confident that their unique skills and experiences will blend perfectly to lead the team at Formby and deliver the highest standards of care for which we are renowned."

Both Debby and Diane started off as Nurses and have many shared interests. Debby initially trained as a Nurse at Broadgreen Hospital in the late 70's and also holds the Registered Managers Award. She has two grown up daughters who make her 'proud every day' and has a passion for all things Disney, reading and eating out with friends. Diane loves her job with a passion but also enjoys spending time with her friends, family and is a lifelong fan of Boyzone. Formby Manor is an expertly designed, state of art 76 bed care facility with an exceptional clinical offering, including residential, nursing and dementia care services. The care home features elegant private bedrooms with en suite wet rooms, stylish communal lounges and dining rooms, plus secure beautifully landscaped gardens. For further information, or to arrange a viewing, please contact Nikki on:- 01704 339090 or email Enquiries@NewCareHomes.Com. Alternatively, please visit:- NewCareHomes.com.