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Hockey

Whitchurch Hockey Club in action Jaime Hindle of Whitchurch Hockey Club in Cardiff says it's a sport for all - the fastest growing in Welsh schools today.

"Hockey...that's a girl's game!"

All too often when I was growing up - playing football, cricket, rugby and hockey my peers told me hockey was a girl's game. For some unknown reason the boys at junior school seem to associate hockey with girls - why was that?

I was always the first to get "stuck-in" at football and rugby (sliding tackles were my speciality), end up coming home with mudded trousers, from a particularly involved lunchtime kick about.

Yeah alright, the girls did play more hockey in school than the boys and it was mainly a "rugby" school, but as the boys got older and became more involved with club hockey, the better and more competitive the senior boys hockey team became - culminating in county finals and alternate foreign tours at the end of the year - rugby one year and hockey the next.

My point is - the girls in school may well play hockey traditionally; but that does not mean it does not require a good hockey player to be strong, quick, flexible and intelligent - male or female.

In fact hockey is the fastest growing sport in Welsh schools today, outstripping the mainstays of football and rugby.

The wider public don't see much hockey - it is only ever on TV when the Olympics come around. Then they are amazed how quick, skilful and physically fit hockey players are.

Let's face it - you have 22 players on the pitch, armed with metre long carbon fibre reinforced weapons (sticks) all trying the hit a solid plastic ball (some as hard as 100mph) - there is nothing girly about that!

Make your own mind up - come and see the cream of Welsh men's club hockey play.

Whitchurch is the only Welsh men's team in the English Hockey League (EHL), which gets underway on September 26th.

The first home game will be played at the Welsh Institute of Sport (WIS) at Sophia Gardens on Sunday October 3rd at 2pm and every alternate Sunday after that.

Come and see what you're missing!

Jaime Hindle - playing committee chair - Whitchurch HC


  • See our Hockey Web Guide for more about the sport

    Comment on this story

    Gaby From Colwyn Bay
    I love playing hockey at all different levels from school to country.In my club for every girl there is there are bout 3 guys. There are four mens teams and only two womens teams and in the club we have 4 welsh international males and a former GB player. Sadly though I wish there was more recognition and money in hockey... to play for wales at U16 and U18 and possibly senior level you have to pay to play! Its a disgrace!! Back to the point though ...Hockey like most sports is for both sexes! Play it because you love it!!!

    Caryn, Merthyr Tydfil
    I have been playing Hockey for the past 18 years & for the same team, Dowlais Ladies. I enjoy playing, it's great to be part of a team. One of our coaches played for the Welsh Men's team. I encourage anyone who wants to play & welcome any new players.

    Martyn Passmore
    I play for a South West Wales team PCHC. We have two sides competing in the South Wales Div's. Jamie is smack on the money here! The "hockey is a girls sport" was actually said to me by my Yr 10 Rugby coach when I decided to quit playing Rugby for School, Club, County and District in favour of playing international Hockey. What I said to him which I still say now is put 22 athletes on a pitch give them 36-38 inch sticks and sex goes right out of the window!! Hockey is a fun game! It can be played by all! In fact some of the best players I've seen were the ones picked last in the playground for football.

    Hannah, South Wales
    My school doesn't even have a hockey team - in fact I am the only hockey player in the whole school. I'm in year 10 and I love the sport. I am now trying to start hockey with year 7. I am their coach and we arranged a tournament for them a couple of weeks ago, but after the tournament people lost interest again. Not enough is done in my school and it would be great if the teachers taught more hockey to the children coming up to the school in September.

    Tom
    I am surprised how underrated Hockey is. I play for Solihull, in the West Midlands. In my club there is 5 mens' teams and only 3 womens'. What does that say about 'girls sport'? Also, try searching Google for hockey, see how many results for field hockey you get.

    Toni, Swansea
    I love playing hockey and I know a few boys who play but I know more girls. I've seen girls hit some hard balls but I love playing hockey. I am currently a Welsh College Hockey Champion and in March 2007 we will be playing in Loughborough... all 11 girls and 4 subs :D I think everyone should have a go at hockey at least once.

    Jack Walford from Whitchurch
    Just to echo Jamie really. The "hockey is a girls sport" idea still exists in schools and it really is something we need to end.

    Laura
    Hi, I play with Katy. We have a strong hockey club in Abergavenny with tournaments for under 11 to mens and ladies hockey. Surely this sport has expanded in the last 4 years? I think so as I for the last 9 years I have watched the sport grow. U never know it could be take over from football? Lau xx

    Kate ... Abergavenny
    Hey ppl - hockey is the best even though it is rough....I play for King Henry VIII school Abergavenny Ladies and Juniors... if anyone in year 10 and 11 from south wales want a mixed game ring either King Henry or Abergavenny Hockey Club... mixed will b the best :D

    Catrin from South Wales
    I loved Hockey in school and still play. In my school it was seen as a girl's sport but I agree it is really aggressive. Many universities have male hockey teams too now. I've watched mens hockey a few times it's really good to watch!

    Lucy from Chepstow
    Hockey is for girls as well as boys and I would recommend this sport to anyone! It is the best sport in the world.



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    related bbci links
    Hockey Web Guide
    Sport Academy


    related www links
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    Welsh Hockey Union
    English Hockey League

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