Lisbon Casuals Hockey Club was formed in 2008 through the merger of the original Hockey Section of Lisbon Casuals Sports Club in Carcavelos and Cascais Hockey Club. Both clubs had been in existence for many years but realised our combined strengths could enable us to field teams in all categories at both League and Social levels. This is a very exciting development for hockey in the Lisbon area as the Club is characteristically a mix of local and foreign nationals thereby attracting players of all ages from the local and international community. Starting with a membership of over 90 we intend to build on this unique identity and maintain a fine balance between the playing successes on the field and social excesses off the field.
Our mission is to encourage young people to participate in this, as yet underdeveloped, sport in Portugal by providing a friendly and energetic environment on which to build their talents and skills both on and off the field.
In this first season our objectives have been:
- To set up a viable governance structure to enable us to function properly. We are delighted that Andrew Bailey (President), Tony Pringsheim (Vice President) and Bill Niblett (Vice President), all founding members of the original Lisbon Casuals, make up the Presidency of the new Club.
- To provide a sustainable cash flow through membership and sponsors. We are extremely grateful that New Vibrations came on as Sponsor for the 1st team squad this season and has agreed to remain for next season.
- To sign a protocol with Instituto Desporto de Portugal (IDP) for the regular use of the water based astro pitch at the National Stadium in Cruz Quebrada. Whilst our longer term objective would be to have our own facilities in the short/medium term our plan is to play our hockey at the N.S.
- To strengthen our commitment to our junior playing sections (Infantis; Iniciados; Juvenis) which now account for almost half of our membership and we are pleased to have dedicated coaches for each of the junior categories with many of the parents providing strong support both on and off the field.
- To win the junior national title for the first time (having come second twice in the past 3 years)
- To build a 1st mens team squad capable of challenging for the National title within 3 years leading to European qualification. With a number of current internationals in the squad and an outstanding pool of junior players coming through the prognosis is good.
- To continue to host visiting/touring clubs from overseas across all sections and in particular Veterans (Mens or Mixed) as Lisbon has so much to offer (see Touring Teams Section) and we are delighted to welcome this season Surbiton (UK); Naranjas (Spain), Evergreens (UK), Zevenbergen (Holland), Losers (Germany).
- To invite and encourage participation in the Club hockey and social activities to all its members and their families.
Finally I look forward to working with everyone associated with the Club in this challenging first year and striving to nurture a unique culture within the Club that embodies the multi cultural mix of our members and reaching out to the broader local community for new talents to build an even stronger Club for the future.
Peter Nabney