Streatham building for the new season
By Christopher Beal, media and match reports
Following the success of 23/24 on the High Road head coach Ben Paynter has begun making signings for the defence of the RedHawks league and National championship crowns.
As with any off season in sports there have been departures from the roster, in coach Paynter’s words “tough choices have to be made and teams need to evolve” the summer has so far seen the bulk of the Streatham roster returning
Danny Milton has agreed to return for a 3rd season in net, while Sam Waller, Tomasz Skokan, Jordan Gregory, Preston Tombs and James Warman have all agreed to return for another season. With Warman celebrating his testimonial season on the High Road.
Up front Ziggy Beesley, Jared Lane, Luke Brittle, and captain Ryan Watt have all opted to return alongside head coach Paynter in his capacity as player coach.
The departures so far have seen core elements depart, with Ben Ealey Newman departing for possible title rivals the Slough Jets, along with fan favourite power forward Brandon Miles. Jack Hoppes has traded SW16 for the South coast joining up with bitter rivals the Solent Devils, while Callum Burnett has left for Invicta Dynamos.
Streatham fans will also be seeing a new face in net this coming season, as Nate Gregory has opted to depart the club. Though no replacement has yet been announced with no doubt one will already have been signed. And lastly young prospect Harvey Briggs has accepted an offer from a, as yet unknown National league team.
In response to the departures. The club have moved to secure players coach Paynter feels will improve the team from last season.
Youngster Roman Cathcart comes in joining from the Slough Jets, who alongside Preston Tombs will play up on a 2 way with Berkshire Bee’s when schedules don’t clash. Incoming signings, Brendan Baird who will be playing for Streatham for the first time since 2018, and Harvey Stead who makes his High Road debut. Will add an offensive edge to to the D core. While up front Aidan Doughty returns to Streatham as well after 6 years away playing at National league level. And brings an eye for goal at NIHL 1 level along with a physical style of play. With all 3 having joined from Berkshire Bee’s
The clubs biggest signing of the summer though, is a player who has the potential to be the best power forward in the league. George Norcliffe returns to Streatham after 7 years away, who brings the pedigree of a National league goal scorer having scored 132 points over the past 3 seasons in Britains 2nd tier.
On his summer recruitment so far head coach Paynter was pleased, with the progress made and the teams evolution.
"I’m really happy with how the recruitment has gone this summer, there were areas I felt we needed to improve in off the back of last year and think I’ve managed to address those areas. We have had some guys move on from our core over the last few years and as much as we want to keep our core together teams have to evolve and continually try to improve to stay competitive and we aim to be challenging for every trophy up for grabs again this season!”
With 2 months to go till the start of the season, there are still a few players to be announced, however these will likely already have been signed by the club. And as is the tradition in UK hockey, will be announced in the coming weeks, via Streatham’s social media feeds.