READING Hockey Club are to dedicate next Saturday’s double header against Holcombe to Ravi Ghowry, writes Dave Wright.

It is their elite teams’ first home games since he tragically ended his own life at the Sonning Lane club last week.

Ghowry, who lived at the ground, was the club’s videographer and stills photographer, as well as a player with lower teams. He also worked as a photographer for England Hockey.

Reading women will play Holcombe at 4.30pm, followed by the men’ s match at 6.30pm.

Between the two games, club members will stage a tribute to 30-year-old Ghowry and a collection will be taken for CALM, the charity that seeks to prevent suicide in young men.

Chris Davey, who manages the men’s first team, said: “It’s hard to express how the devastating news about Ravi has affected the squad, the club as a whole and indeed the broader hockey community.

“As a squad we’ve come to know Ravi as one of us, part of the group with his cheerful smile and hours of dedication videoing and analysing our games.

“He was ever present and always happy to help. He will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague by everyone at the club.

“Obviously our thoughts and support go to the family at such an awful time - their loss is the most tragic of all.”

His funeral service will take place next Tuesday (2.40pm) at Barham Crematorium, near Canterbury.

A minute’s silence was held before club games last weekend although some of the men’s lower teams decided to cancel their fixtures as a mark of respect.

Reading Women’s new-look side opened their Investec League campaign with a 2-0 defeat at East Grinstead on Saturday, conceding goals in the fifth and 51 minutes.

Among six players making their debuts were goalkeeper Mila Welch at the age 15 years and two months and Livi Lee-Smith, who is 16. This week the Blues promoted 18-year-old Chloe Nelson to their squad while signing Alice Freeman, 22, from Marlow.

Holcombe will be missing their GB stars from the Rio Olympics, but are likely to include another GB forward Elie Watton, as well as South African internationals Quanita Bobbs and Erin Hunter.

Reading 1A opened their South Clubs League Division 1 fixtures with a 2-1 home win over Tulse Hill & Dulwich last Saturday, their goals coming from Esme Swindells and Hayley Munt.

Reading Men also had six players making their league debuts when they drew 2-2 at East Grinstead on Sunday with one of them, Ed Carson, snatching a late equaliser.

Blues fell behind to a Sam Driver goal after nine minutes, but drew level eight minutes later thanks to a superb solo effort from midfielder Dan Shingles.

East Grinstead regained the lead just before the hour mark through new signing Nick Catlin, the former Reading player, but the visitors finished strongly and were rewarded with Carson’s equaliser two minutes from time.

Davey commented: “It was a good point as it’s never easy going to East Grinstead. It was very pleasing to see us sticking in there and earning the result.”

Reading were also missing six players due to injury and other commitments, but most are expected to be available for Saturday, when they will be up against a Holcombe side that did not lose a single league game in the regular season last term.

Holcombe’s team includes four of the GB squad that played in Rio.