Most of you will no doubt have heard rumours about a merger between our clubs and I have already heard several stories that say it is already a done deal. Well I would like to inform you of the current position.
Northampton Saints made an approach to us a few weeks ago to see whether we would be consider looking at merging the two clubs. They currently have the higher league position and are keen to make a push for National League. I applaud them for this and their achievements and wish them luck with their quest. To ensure that they get and sustain a National League sides they need to grow their membership and develop a stronger coaching and management structure.
Their view of Lions is that, whilst our 1st teams are at a lower league level, we perhaps have a better club management - in particular a strong junior coaching structure - than they do. In addition, Lions have the coveted ‘Clubs First’ award which Saints have not yet achieved.
Lions have negotiated an exclusivity deal with Moulton College which gives our club priority for all booking the artificial turf pitch and also the new water based pitch which is to be installed later this year. I believe that the development of this new pitch facility has focused the minds of the Saints management team.
At this time, all that is ‘on the table’ is a suggestion that the two clubs put together a joint committee to investigate the opportunities that a merger may provide. It may be that the recommendation is not to merge or the complete opposite. But it is important for members to understand that no decisions have been taken and no decisions will be made unless ratified by the membership of both clubs.
The Lions Executive Committee felt that it was right for us to formally investigate the suggestion made by Saints. Similar suggestions have been voiced in the past which were rejected but since Lions moved to Moulton our profile has been higher than when we were at Unity and the prospect of new water-based facilities at Moulton is one we should not ignore.
Over the next weeks and months the Lions Committee will be better informed to be able to answer questions from the membership. Through this blog and the regular newsletters via Fixtures Live, we will set up a method of on-line reporting which will enable members to ask questions, make their thoughts public and hopefully stimulate debate so that we make the right decision. We are aiming to build up a bank of FAQs (frequently asked questions) which should be informative and prevent the same questions being asked over again.
What benefits could merger hold?
A club with a larger playing membership along with a well trained and managed volunteer staff will provide a strong platform to both in player numbers and financially to develop and sustain National League sides.
The combined infrastructure of one water and two sand based ATPs plus a social hub will provide a more encompassing club which will be able to host significant tournaments.
One co-ordinated coaching network should provide a structure to develop a centre of excellence which is able to dominate the development of junior hockey in Northamptonshire to benefit the sport as a whole.
Player pathways will be developed which will be able to cater for the development of athletes from school teams through to National League level without having to commute to another region.
Your comments are invited...
Please feel free to post a reply or ask questions here (please moderate your language as this forum is available to our junior and family members - we reserve the right to remove any post that is deemed to be inappropriate).
Alternatively you may email either Martin Wilkes (Lions) or Andy Dale (Saints).
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