St Albans Hockey Club is hosting three days of activities at Oaklands College this weekend.

From 11.30am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, the club’s adjacent pitches will host the East of England’s premier pre-season PLUM tournament.

Two days of intense competition will involve 14 men’s and women’s elite teams in action on each day, from clubs near and far. At the helm for SAHC are ladies’ and men’s head coaches, England and GB player Hannah Macleod and local hockey hero and England and GB manager Andy Halliday.

After a summer of preparation and recruitment, Macleod and Halliday are joined for the new season by new coaches and players throughout the club, together with development officers, college and schools ambassadors.

The weekend also sees SAHC’s open-door trials and social events, as new and current players of all ages and levels are welcomed to Oaklands.

From 6pm on Friday there is an open session for all juniors (Years 7-12), followed by senior men’s trials at 7.30pm. A BBQ and party in the clubroom will end the evening.

On Saturday at 9am, parallel pitches in use for open sessions for younger colts (Years 1-6) and the senior ladies’ trials.