#tchoukballuk

Originally set as a challenge never expected to be seen I give you today the Guildford Fifty shades of green. Green is the colour that the club players wear Let’s name every one of them, starting from their first year.

Originally we had Quincy, Ekberg, and Prain Years before Louisa was ‘raining down the pain’. There was Davies and Clarke, and not forgetting Giraffe Guildford’s ethos was born, ‘we’re all here to have a laugh’.

Before Tim broke Blakemore, we had a leftie called Flem Years later we went international recruiting Nora and Jen. A similar process happened with the addition of Payam and Ganino We also stole Lauren for a year before Bury could say ‘no’.

Who could forget our ladies, Hannah, Jo, and Mands With Lucy and Kath Guildford ladies could be a plan. By adding Mari and Whatmore to the Guildford scene This legendary ladies team looks like a dream!

Mr Mills started with Guildford and soon Ben was added too Mack playing for GTC was his best dream coming true. ‘Spin Master’ Carl and relentless powerhouse Matt Put them together you get ‘Wrecking Ball’ Pat!

From the coach’s left and right hands, Kenny and Dom To the defending legends, put simply, Eithne and Brom. Shooters ‘Danger Man’ Ellis and Skilton ‘the Extraordinaire’ Not forgetting club captain, Andy ‘Cumdog Millionaire’.

Duo ‘Too Good’ and ‘Too Bad’, Tom and Pete Giant Mr Pryor, that guy has incredibly large feet. GTC’s youngest player can put up a fight His name is Kit, but he’s no Michael Knight!

Last few entries to complete the line-up we add in Mr Lunn Along with Mr Lee, who makes every catch fun. GTC newcomers include Louis, Rich, and Sam The brand new Bentley, and the returning Will.I.AM.

The responses we received were great, and some really show the character of certain players.

Although not the full list, we've included a random selection below:

Club Secretary Pete Justin said that he finds the collaboration of Linkin Park with Jay-Z great to train to, and particularly the song Numb/Encore

Assistant Coach Dom Raeyen likes fire related songs (true Guildford style) and chose 'Who's Got A Match' by Biffy Clyro

Club Chair Rob Ellis said that synthwave music works quite well and suggested the track 'The Man Who Made A Monster' by Dance With the Dead

Left/right shooter Alex Pryor informed us that Les Miserables really gets his juices flowing

Club Tresurer Tom Offin informed us that the only track that will do it for him is heavy metal track 'Bodies' by Drowning Pool

Of all the responses we received our favourite answer has to be that of former Assistant Coach James Skilton, who was quoted as saying "Anything with a banging donk on it!"

We recently caught up with Head Coach Mack Hofberg for a few words on the coming season. Mack was quoted as saying:

"Last year we [Guildford] achieved what no other club has before. Inferno won the Super League, Ignite won the Division 1 League and were promoted, and then Inferno went on to win the Super Cup. So the question is 'how do we improve on this?' The coaching team and I have had many discussions and planning meetings to determine our aims for the coming season and we've all agreed that we want to see a Guildford vs Guildford National League final. THAT is the dream! Although I cannot divulge any specifics, we [the coaching team] have some great ideas to allow us to achieve this."

Mack went on further to talk about Guildford's weekly training sessions:

"We are training weekly at Bohunt School in Liphook, which we've had a great relationship with over the last few years. Each training session has a theme to work on (whether specific types of defending/shooting, or fitness) mixed in with a healthy dose of game time and fun. The key is to work on specific areas we see as development areas, but also keep the morale high with fun activities which won't be 100% translated into a tchoukball match (at least I hope no-one turns into a zombie during a match...)"

Stepping onto the court for the first match were twelve Guildford players making up both teams as Inferno and Ignite played each other. As the match started both teams showed why Guildford is currently the number one club. Both teams moved each other around but struggled to score with top defending from all players. Going into the second period Inferno and Ignite were level to begin with, but some good tactical moves from Inferno saw them take the lead by the end of the period. Although fighting back in the final third, Ignite could not pull back the lead that Inferno built and the match ended with Inferno winning 62 to 55.

The next Guildford match saw Inferno take on Fareham Orange. Inferno, hot from their earlier win, stepped onto the court with nothing but winning on their mind. From the start of the match Inferno took the lead, showing their skills over the less experienced Fareham. By the end of the first period Inferno had gained almost a 20 point lead and it didn't look like they were going to slow down during the second period. Fareham put up a great effort, and managed to sneak a few cheeky points through Inferno's defence, but when the final whistle blew Inferno walked away the victors with a score of 62 to 31.

Ignite were up next for the final match of the day against Portsmouth Drakes, and it was clear to see from the beginning that this could go either way. Ignite had a little delay in getting on the scoreboard, but it wasn't long before they shifted a gear bringing the scores back to level. Although at the start of the second period neither team would back down with some quick switches, pinpoint accurate shooting, and strong defensive units, all eyes were on Guildford newbie David Bentley whose second line defence helped turn over some crucial points giving Ignite the lead. Ignite started the third period 11 points up, so Portsmouth were going to have their work cut out for them. Despite a good effort from Portsmouth, they were no match for Ignite as they pulled away and won the match 64 to 47.

Coach Mack Hofberg commented "It was a great day today and the best thing about Guildford is the quality of players that we have. Although Inferno beat Ignite at the start of the day, I think if you played that match 10 times the result would be different each time, and I love that about our club."

Rumour has it that GTC are in talks with James Skilton for the upcoming season and what better timing. During the 2014/2015 season, Skilton was a key player for Farnborough Jets and also made his UK squad debut at the FITB European Championships in Germany. Skilton joining GTC would be a huge signing for the club and a great replacement if Ellis is out.

Skilton was reluctant to confirm or deny whether he will be joining GTC, but was quoted as saying: “At the end of the day, I want to win trophies and to fulfil my ambitions of playing internationally at club level. I’m ready to commit to a team long term so it’s about choosing the right one for me.” The only concern could be a lack of game time with two very capable right shooters, Louisa Hall and Pat Dennis.

Current Guildford Inferno players Mack Hofberg and Louisa Hall played for the UK men’s and women’s teams respectively. I am led to believe they provided some true Inferno spirit to the squad and wreaked havoc on some of the international teams defence. This was Mack’s first World Championship for the UK men and he certainly proved why he was selected with some awesome shooting and defensive work to help the men claim 7th in the tournament. Louisa on the other hand is well experienced with the World Championships; mixed with her cool head, great play and steady leadership as UK women’s captain saw the ladies take 3rd place which is a fantastic achievement! A special mention also goes out to some of our past Inferno players or ‘Embers’ if you will, who were also responsible for the great results; Will Waters, Scott Mills, Ben Wallace and Stuart Blakemore.