CITY of York Hockey Club is about to become a mixed club after York Ladies' HC merged with the Heworth-based outfit.

From the start of the season, City of York will incorporate three women's teams in addition to the eight men's teams based at the Elmpark Way ground.

The club will be the largest hockey club in the locality, and is to have a reorganised administration base and reap the rewards of mixed-club status.

York Ladies will not only have a new home ground but are also set to benefit from the youth development programme at the club.

Meanwhile, City of York men's first eleven, who consolidated their Northern Counties League premier division status last term, have prepared for a more successful season.

Preparations culminated in the tough City of York Hockey Festival last month which saw the hosts defeat Ben Rhydding 5-0 and draw 1-1 with Doncaster.

Although they lost 8-0 to National League Brooklands and 5-4 to Chesterfield, they finished the competition in third place behind winners Doncaster.

Youngsters wanting to join City of York should contact Bob Maltby on 01904-707887, while women wanting to play for the ladies' teams should phone 01904-705496. Details about men's teams are available from Clive Marshall on 01904-781126.

Training for men, who begin their season on Saturday, September 16, is held between 9pm and 10pm on Tuesdays at Huntington School, while first and second team training is from 7pm to 9pm on Thursdays at York University.

The ladies, whose season starts with a game against Hull YPI on Saturday, September 9, train from 8pm to 9pm on Tuesdays at Huntington.

The City of York junior training sessions planned for tonight and next Tuesday at Imphal Barracks have been cancelled.

These sessions have been re-arranged and will be staged at Huntington School's astroturf on Friday September 8 and 15.

For details call Robert Maltby on 01904-707887.

More hockey in tomorrow night's Evening Press Sport.