ALTON Hockey Club welcome former Great Britain and England international Soma Singh as their head coach for the 2016-17 season.

Soma captained his country and played 145 times for England and GB. He represented Great Britain at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and is currently director of hockey at Lord Wandsworth College.

He was awarded Club Coach of the Season in 2012 after leading Richmond into the England Hockey League Conference East. It was the team’s third consecutive promotion.

Alton chairman Dave Harvey said: “We are thrilled to have such a well respected and influential hockey personality at Alton Hockey Club.

“We have great aspirations and are in a fantastic period of change and development which we hope Soma will contribute further to. We are all very excited for the season to come and to welcoming Soma fully.”

Alton Hockey Club have been conducting a vigorous recruitment campaign this close season. In June, they again ran a Back to Hockey six-week course for adults to try out hockey for the first time, or to get back into the sport after years out. It was good to see ladies and men of all abilities having fun and enjoying some fitness training.

The club also ran a friendly mixed league over the summer months to keep members’ skills up.

Alton will be taking part in the town’s Sports Festival at Anstey Park on Sunday, August 21, where members will be available to give information.

Alton hold their annual Club Day on Saturday, September 3 at Amery Hill School (from 10am). Anyone is invited to find out more about playing hockey.

Alton Hockey Club has grown considerably since the London 2012 Olympics, particularly with the success of the Great Britain women’s team which included former Alton Ladies player Alex Danson.

The club has almost reached capacity on the one Amery Hill pitch and are currently raising money together with with Eggar’s School to build a new ground.

A fund-raising evening will take place on Saturday, September 24, including a hog roast, live music, bar and auction. For more details and to buy tickets, visit www.pushforapitch.co.uk