FEATURE: Get back into hockey

Hockey clubs across Derbyshire are inviting players to pick up their sticks again this autumn.
Buxton Hockey Club.Buxton Hockey Club.
Buxton Hockey Club.

England Hockey are putting on more ‘Back to Hockey’ sessions for those who have never played and those who haven’t played in a long time.

Over 1,500 players attended similar sessions nationwide during a similar campaign last spring and over 60 per cent of players said that they would take part in more ‘Back to Hockey’ sessions.

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A clutch of clubs across the county are taking part as they aim to see more people getting involved in the sport. Women’s sessions are taking place at Amber Valley, Belper, Buxton and Matlock with Chesterfield Hockey Club focussing on men’s sessions.

Matlock Baileans v Birmingham Uni (Hockey). No 13 Sarah Wain.Matlock Baileans v Birmingham Uni (Hockey). No 13 Sarah Wain.
Matlock Baileans v Birmingham Uni (Hockey). No 13 Sarah Wain.

Buxton Hockey Club’s Peter Danson says the initiative has already seen a good turnout on previous occasions and that the club has the duty to look to involve as many people from the local community as possible.

He said: “It would be good to get a range of ages back playing again.

“We used to have a women’s team at Buxton, but when they all got to a certain age they obviously stopped playing.

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“There was then no young women coming through to replace them so the women’s team just fell away.

“It’s been some years since we had girls or women playing regularly.

“We have seen a few recently and there are some within the club but if this scheme helps us attract more female players then it would be great.”

The following clubs are taking part in the scheme.

lAmber Valley Ladies Hockey Club, Mill Hill School, Ripley, DE5 3JQ. Women’s sessions run through to December 16. Contact Dawn Spendlove on 07967 674319.

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lBelper Hockey Club, Belper Meadows Sports Club, Belper, DE56 1BA. Women’s Sessions. Contact Julie Carter on 01332 842117.

lBuxton Hockey Club, Buxton Community School, Buxton, SK17 9EA. Women’s sessions. Contact Chris Clayton on 07768 307892.

lChesterfield Hockey Club, St Mary’s High School, Chesterfield, S41 8AG. Men’s sessions run through to October 22. Contact Mark Fonseca on 01246 566112.

lMatlock Baileans Hockey Club, Wirksworth Leisure Centre, Wirksworth, DE4 4GJ. Women’s sessions run through to October 20. Contact Laura Loeber on 077462 49503.

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