By Lucas Ball
Holcombe are looking for a first ever England Hockey Championship trophy as Nick Bandurak’s side take on Beeston at Lee Valley on Monday afternoon (2pm).
Bandurak’s side have beaten Trojans, Wimbledon and Doncaster to reach the final to face Beeston, who are looking for their third cup triumph in a row and fourth in five seasons following relegation from the Premier Division.
Holcombe are looking to complete a unique treble having already secured an immediate return to the Premier Division via a second-placed finish in Division One South, as well as having won promotion to the Super 6s Premier Division after winning Division One in January.
Hannah Carney, who has come through the club’s junior set-up, is expecting a good clash on Monday at the national stadium following an intense training period, saying: “I think everyone’s been really positive, especially in training, it’s been really competitive.
“We’ve been doing specific things and it’s been really well-tailored to make sure we’ve got everything we need in preparation for Monday, especially against Beeston who have just been relegated when we’ve just been promoted.
“I think both teams have a real point to prove and hopefully it’ll be a really good game.
“We had two weeks off which was good, people have been training all the way through since January so it’s been a long time.
“To have that time off was a good re-charge and then training again in the last couple of weeks has been intense and good to keep our fitness up, we’ve been training hard.
“It would be huge, especially as a bounce back from relegation last season, and to open up options for recruitment for next season.
“Obviously it’s a huge game but mentally, everyone just needs to prepare and keep everything as normal as possible to try to keep our composure for the game and hopefully come out on top with a win.
“It’s really good – I’ve come from learning in the junior section from coaches like Sean Parker and Gaz Wellings which was a huge thing for me. To go through having started at under-8s all the way to the women’s section, starting in the 4s and making my way up has been really good for my development.”
Holcs’ Premier Division opponents have now also all been confirmed for 2024/25, with Bandurak’s side set to take on the University of Birmingham, Bowdon Hightown, Clifton Robinsons, East Grinstead, Hampstead & Westminster, Loughborough Students, the University of Nottingham, Reading, Surbiton, Sutton Coldfield and Wimbledon.
Carney added: “Hopefully, that’s my goal [on potentially playing Premier Division hockey next season].”
Tickets are still available for Monday here.