St Albans Hockey Club are hosting a weekend of activities at Oaklands College as a curtain raiser to the new season.

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.

At the helm for St Albans are ladies’ and men’s head coaches, England and GB player Hannah Macleod and 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 the club hold open-door trials and social events, as new and current players of all ages and levels are welcomed to Oaklands.

From 6pm tomorrow there is an open session for all juniors (Years 7-12), followed by senior men’s trials (7.30pm) with a BBQ and party in the clubroom. On Saturday at 9am the parallel pitches are in use for open sessions for younger colts (Years 1-6) and the senior ladies’ trials.