'Hockey in the Blood' launch at BHHC clubhouse on Friday November 23

Brighton and Hove Hockey Club is hosting a free event with international players and coaches at the Nevill clubhouse on Friday November 23 as part of the national launch of Gavin Featherstone’s latest book ‘Hockey in the Blood’.

The book is a collection of stories inspired by people who have been involved in hockey at high level and the tales they tell as to how and where it has led them. ‘An evening with Gav & Friends’ will feature two of those – ex-GB women’s international defender Steph Elliott and respected youth coach Martin Foxall - who are subjects in the book and, with the author, will share their stories with the audience.

You will have the chance to ask questions of Gavin, the former England captain and double Olympic coach, Steph and Martin and be able to purchase a copy of the book (cost £15) at the end of the evening and have it autographed by the panel. Christmas is just around the corner remember!

The evening is free and open to members of all Sussex clubs as well as BHHC, women and men, adult and junior coaches and umpires so please spread the word and come along .

Start time is 7.30pm and the event is scheduled to last little more than an hour - the panellists will also be happy to chat around the bar afterwards.

To register your interest in attending please email bhhc.publicity@gmail.com by Wednesday November 21 so we can get an idea of numbers.

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Gavin Featherstone has spent a lifetime in hockey as an international player and coaching at the highest level. He is an ex-England captain and a double Olympic coach (with the USA in 1984 and South Africa in 1996). An apprentice footballer with Chelsea while at school, he has also coached the England under-21s. He is known and respected for being a questioning and independent voice in the game. ‘Hockey in the Blood’ is Gavin’s third book, is published by Faaronheigt and costs £15. He is also the author of the semi-autobiographical ‘That Ain’t Hockey’ and ‘The Hockey Dynamic’.

Steph Elliott is a former England and GB international defender and now captain of Investec Women’s Premier League side Holcombe. She emerged from a non-traditional hockey heartland in Middlesbrough to become a top player.

Martin Foxall is widely regarded as one of the best and most knowledgeable coaches of young players in the country and offers valuable insights into what makes a young hockey player and how they are developed. He has coached teams to win the national under-16 championship and works with leading clubs’ junior sections. He has helped to inspire young players to progress despite less advantaged backgrounds.

Paul Sorensen, who will be MC for the evening, is a writer and educational consultant and a former player with Canterbury. He holds the distinction of being the oldest player, at 38, to win a Cambridge University hockey blue.

BHHC's clubhouse is at the Nevill Sports Ground, next to Aldrington C of E Primary School, and accessed via Eridge Road (off Nevill Avenue near the lights by Waitrose), Hove BN3 7QD