Tag: Scottish Hockey

Scottish Hockey’s Club Pledge to support Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation

Scottish Hockey has entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness and funds through the Club Pledge initiative.

It comes off the back of a year of exceptional fundraising and community work delivered by hockey clubs across Scotland through Club Pledge.

Club Pledge was launched at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic where hockey clubs were invited to “make the pledge” to promote togetherness and community while raising money for good causes.

Over 75% of hockey clubs in Scotland made the pledge and delivered tremendous activities that ranged from Zoom quizzes and virtual 10ks, to food drops and mystery trail adventures.

Now Scottish Hockey has partnered with two of the world’s leading charities to take Club Pledge to the next phase, and join the fight against cancer and heart diseases. Clubs can choose to support our charity partners in a range of different ways, and also take up learning opportunities on offer.

Both CRUK and the BHF will deliver learning workshops to Scottish Hockey clubs and members to teach more about fundraising; promote healthy living; offer mind-set and wellbeing sessions; CPR training and the opportunity to learn to train others.

The first of these sessions will take place on:

  • Tuesday 24 August – Let’s take cancer! An introduction to Cancer Research UK and a fundraising masterclass.
  • Wednesday 25 August – Meet the BHF and learn how you can be a lifesaver.

Monthly events and activities will offer clubs and members the chance to fundraise for the charities and promote togetherness and community within clubs. Clubs will be able to participate in campaigns and access materials to maximise their fundraising such as t-shirts; bracelets; banners and balloons etc.

Scottish Hockey staff and board members will also lead from the front by taking part in monthly fundraising activities for both charities, while raising awareness.

As with previous years, anyone buying cup final tickets can choose to donate part of the ticket value to the chosen charity of their choice.

Scottish Hockey Chair Martin Shepherdson, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to partner with two of the most important charities in the country and support the great work they do to raise awareness and research cures and treatments.

“Club Pledge was a phenomenal success and it’s testament to the clubs and members across Scotland who delivered such exceptional activities, that the initiative is seen as something that can really be a trailblazer in how sports can support good causes.

“We’ll work with clubs alongside the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK to take Club Pledge to the next level, and really make a difference to people’s lives and health through hockey.”

The BHF is the biggest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland and the UK. This year marks the BHF’s 60th birthday and over the past six decades, the charity has been instrumental in numerous life-saving discoveries.

Its research has contributed to the first UK heart transplant, the development of pacemakers, the use of clot busting drugs to treat heart attacks, and the rollout of genetic testing for inherited heart conditions.

James Jopling, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Scottish Hockey and its member clubs across the country. Since the BHF was established, our research and campaigning have contributed to the annual number of people dying from heart and circulatory diseases in this country falling by half.

“This is something we can be extremely proud of. But we want to do more. Despite progress, heart and circulatory diseases cause around 3 in ten deaths in Scotland. The support of organisations like Scottish Hockey and the public will help us continue to fund vital research to help save and improve lives.”  

Cancer Research UK is the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, is has only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of incredible volunteers and supporters without whom it would not be able to fund vital research.

This year 32,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Scotland and sadly, only half of them will survive the disease for ten years or more. Researchers, physicians and nurses are working tirelessly to prevent, control and cure all 200 types of cancer and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

Heather Duff from Cancer Research UK, said: “We are delighted to work with Scottish Hockey to tackle cancer. Cancer Research UK is dedicated to find new and improved ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

“All funds raised by Scottish Hockey, and its clubs and members, will go towards life-saving research in Scotland. With the support of Scottish Hockey we are one step closer to giving cancer the red card. We look forward to working with hockey clubs across Scotland and wish them the best of luck with their fundraising.”

Scotland men’s hockey squad faces Ireland in three-match series

The Scotland men’s squad has been announced for a three-match series against Ireland at Titwood this week.

The uncapped series began last night with an entertaining 1-1 draw and the nations will meet again over the weekend (Saturday 24 July at 4pm, and Sunday 25 July at 11:30am).

Due to Covid restrictions the maximum capacity is 50 spectators; Clydesdale Hockey Club is managing a ‘first come first served’ entry process for the matches, with doors open from one hour ahead of push back.

These matches come as the Scots build towards European competition. Scotland men are due to play at Men’s EuroHockey Championship II on 15-21 August in Gniezno, Poland, where they will face Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine in Pool B. Ireland, Italy, Croatia and Poland will also feature at the tournament.

The Blue Sticks will be battling for promotion back to the top tier of European hockey at the tournament in August. The Scots won EuroHockey Championship II back in 2017 in front of a full house in Glasgow, before goal difference saw them relegated from the EuroHockey Championships in 2019.

Match 1

Tommy Alexander (Uhlenhorst)

David Forrester (Grange)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Gordon Amour (Cambridge City)

Duncan Riddell (Grange)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Callum Mackenzie (Wimbledon)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Hamish Imrie (Royal Antwerp)

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)

Jamie Golden (Surbiton)

Struan Walker (Club an der Alster)

Match 2

David Forrester (Grange)

Rory McCallum (Teddington)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Aidan McQuade (Qui Vive)

Gordon Amour (Cambridge City)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Hamish Galt (Western Wildcats)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Gavin Byers (Grobflottbeker)

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)

Ed Greaves (Teddington)

Struan Walker (Club an der Alster)

Match 3

Tommy Alexander (Uhlenhorst)

Sam Lloyd (East Grinstead)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Aidan McQuade (Qui Vive)

Duncan Riddell (Grange)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Callum Mackenzie (Wimbledon)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Hamish Imrie (Royal Antwerp) 

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Ed Greaves (Teddington)

Jamie Golden (Surbiton)

Gavin Byers (Grobflottbeker)

120th anniversary of first ever Scotland women’s international hockey match

Yesterday marked the 120th anniversary of the first ever Scotland women’s international hockey match, when they took to the pitch to play Ireland on 13 April 1901.

The Ireland women’s team challenged Scotland to the match, and the Scotland women’s team, as early hockey tourists, took the field for the first time at Milltown, Dublin, and lost 2-0, a respectable score.

The Scottish team two days later defeated the hitherto unbeaten Leinster Ladies 2-1. These intrepid boat-travelling hockey tourists were truly pioneers in every sense of the word. Thus international hockey was launched, with all of the Home Countries being played the following year.

The Scottish Women’s Hockey Association was formed in February 1900 at a meeting held in Edinburgh attended by eight women’s hockey clubs.

The association quickly grew to eleven clubs and chose its first national team to take on Ireland, taking on the condition that the match be held in Dublin.

The first Scottish team was almost entirely made up of players from St Leonards School.

Reports from the first match against Ireland describe great conditions and a large crowd to watch the contest. Scotland wore dark purple frieze skirts and paler blouses with thistle badges.

The Scots held their own against a clearly well practiced Irish side. Ireland began to press as the game went on, and prompted some good saves by Simson in goal for Scotland.

Scotland won two corners but couldn’t convert either of them, however the same couldn’t be said for Ireland who dispatched a corner to make it 1-0 at half time.

A late press by Ireland brought the second goal and a 2-0 win.

In the second contest when they faced Leinster days later, the Scotland team hit its stride and put in a fine performance. Scotland’s captain J. K. Stewart scored both goals in a 2-1 win for Scotland, ensuring a place in history as Scotland’s first ever captain and goal scorer.

In 1902 Scotland defeated Wales 4-0 at Wrexham and then played their first matches on home soil, drawing 0-0 with Ireland in Glasgow and being beaten by England 4-0 in Edinburgh.

The pattern of annual matches began, lasting until the early 1990’s when England withdrew from these annual fixtures.

First ever Scotland squad

M. Simson (GK)

M. Harvey

H. Moir

I. Shaw

F. Todd

Miss Littlejohn

E. Wedgwood

E. Lindesay

D. Rutherford

J.K. Stewart (Captain)

D. Robertson

Ida Stewart

J. Hutchison

Ireland squad

Misses Cotter

Sealy

Atthill

Boyd

Hon. K. Prittie

J Boyd (Captain)

Fottrell

Parr

M. Obre

L. Knox

Clarke

Lead the Way members produce case study on University of Edinburgh Hockey Club’s mental health initiatives

Three members of Scottish Hockey’s Lead the Way initiative who have been involved in the mental health work undertaken by the University of Edinburgh Women’s Hockey Club have produced a case study to help others.

Eilidh Campbell, Emma Lambert and Hana Nasser from the 2020-21 Lead the Way cohort, alongside club Welfare Officer Iona Grant, developed it to share with hockey and sports clubs across Scotland as a means of promoting and supporting mental health initiatives within clubs.

Eilidh explained: “Emma and I are both on the Lead the Way programme. During one of our discussions, we talked about mental health in hockey, especially over the lockdowns, and about what our clubs had done to help members and support people.

“Edinburgh University has done a really good job, so we talked about everything we had done as well as what worked well for us personally and for the people we know.

“Then Scottish Hockey got in contact and asked if we would be interested in putting a case study together on the things we had done and its impact.”

Eilidh and Emma approached Iona Grant and Hana Nasser to help with the case study as they had both played a role in the club’s approach to mental health.

Hana had come up with the idea of having the club post anonymous stories on its social media pages detailing members’ personal mental health experiences. People could submit their stories via an anonymous online form to shine a light on mental health while tackling stigma.

Hana said, “I was doing a masters degree at Edinburgh University and had always been intrigued by athletes’ mental health. I saw that people did not really talk about their mental health, especially if they are athletes, so I put forward an idea to the hockey club then watched it grow arms and legs.

“Iona, as Welfare and Inclusivity Officer, took it on, with Eilidh and Emma getting involved. I had got the idea from the Humans of New York Instagram page – it is run by a New York photographer who takes photographs of random New Yorkers then asks them to tell him their stories. I thought it would be interesting to do that from the angle of mental health in sport.”

Emma, then Publicity Secretary for Edinburgh University, said: “Reaction from the first post was great, and because it was an anonymous submission everyone got on board because they saw it as a positive step.

“It was good to hear what other people were going through. We may all think we know what is going on in our club and team, but then you realise that you do not. So, to hear what was really going on was a positive step.

“We operated through a Google form, and the link is in every post and on the bio of our Instagram and Facebook. Anyone can post. You do not have to be anonymous, and a lot of people have chosen not to be. It is your call whether or not you self-identify.”

One of the main findings was that the Welfare and Inclusivity Officer role at the club has been vitally important in supporting members with mental health issues and promoting inclusivity within the club.

Iona explained, “Welfare and Inclusivity is a big role; mental health problems are so common. We all have our own mental health awareness and the stigma that continues to be attached to mental health issues is highly detrimental.

“As a club, we believed it was important to start tackling the stigma surrounding mental health. What we saw was a gap between people coping with their mental health on an individual level and opting to seek professional help.

“My role sought to help bridge that gap. I promote all the services that are available in Edinburgh, many that people do not even know exist, but I am also a face that people in the club recognise and one that is there to help and support them throughout whatever they are going through.

“I am not there to solve people’s problems, I’m not a councillor or a healthcare professional, but I’m there to lend an ear and promote the services that are available.”

Edinburgh University has been working on expanding the welfare officer role across its entire sports offering, highlighting especially the success of the position at the hockey club. 

Recent graduate Hana is now also using her experience to work with her new committee at Watsonians Hockey Club to establish an Inclusivity and Diversity Officer role and to showcase the importance of such roles across Scottish sport.

The Lead the Way: University of Edinburgh Mental Health Initiatives Case Study is attached or can be found here: 

https://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/lead-the-way-members-produce-case-study-on-university-of-edinburgh-hcs-mental-health-initiatives/ .

Scottish Hockey launches BRAVE Performance Blueprint

Scottish Hockey has launched the BRAVE Performance Blueprint. The document is designed to clearly set out a distinct Scottish playing philosophy and principles – and further develop a culture of excellence for hockey in Scotland that is based on our values and characteristics.

BRAVE will build on the good work already being done across the country to support hockey athletes. The aim is to bring consistent international success for Scotland – playing in FIH World Cups; competing for medals at Commonwealth Games; senior and junior teams regularly competing amongst the top six in Europe; and a high representation of Scottish athletes in GB programmes.

In the drive to deliver sustainable success on the world stage, four elements have been identified that are key to the success of the blueprint. These relate directly to our characteristics and culture as a nation, the style of hockey we wish to play, how we optimise athlete development, and our priorities for delivering quality coaching to support our best athletes.

Scottish Hockey’s Head of Performance, Andy Tennant, said, “There’s clearly a lot of good work already happening across Scotland, so the idea is to build on this and align our system to create an identity for ourselves as a high performing performance hockey nation.

“In consultation with our national high performance and pathway coaches, we have identified a distinctly Scottish style, and our vision is very much about being the best we can be – and a good “us” rather than a poor imitation of someone else. Ultimately, we want Scotland teams to play a dynamic attacking style of hockey built on efficient defence.

“So BRAVE helps define who we are; how we want to play; how we best develop talent, and what our key coaching priorities are. If we can align all these key elements, it will give us the best chance to be successful on the world stage.”

Using BRAVE as a mnemonic, the blueprint has identified five key characteristics in players that will help deliver consistent and sustainable success on the world stage.

These are Bold; Relentless; Accountable; Versatile; Excellent decision making.

Andy Tennant explained, “Generally in performance sport as coaches we tend to be relatively strong on the X’s and O’s of the game and have traditionally focussed on technical and tactical elements.

“More recently with the support of sports science and technology, we have also found physical skills much easier to measure. But for us the biggest gains to be made are in developing psychological characteristics and promoting positive performance behaviours that help develop excellence in our players.

“We’ve captured this in a simple memorable and distinctly Scottish mnemonic, BRAVE, and we’re looking for our players to display five key characteristics – bold, in terms of the way they approach the game in a fearless and positive way; relentless in their pursuit of excellence; accountable to themselves, teammates and the way we want to play hockey; versatile, so they’re able to adapt and play in a number of different ways; and we also need excellent decision makers – having good technical and physical skills is important but they are worthless unless backed up by good decisions.

“We want to build a system that helps players be those five things.”

The BRAVE blueprint also recognises the principles included within the GB Hockey Talent Development Framework, which was developed in partnership with the two other home nations.

While the BRAVE characteristics are articulated to recognise our priorities as a nation, they are inherently similar to those articulated within the GB Framework. We are committed to Scotland remaining aligned with the GB Hockey performance system, while still producing athletes with distinctly Scottish characteristics. Ultimately, we believe this will help us develop successful Scotland teams and GB athletes with medal winning potential.

The BRAVE Performance Blueprint has been designed to be a living breathing document that will continue to evolve and develop over time as the game at international level requires and coaches across Scotland can help contribute to this.

Andy Tennant added, “BRAVE is not about being prescriptive – there’s a philosophy and a number of key principles in the blueprint, but it’s about principles not prescription.

“Coaches need to be given the freedom to put their own stamp on things, and the last thing we’re looking to do is stifle creativity for our coaches or our players. We want to build a system that’s free and flexible enough for people to explore what’s within it and to develop a culture of continuous improvement.

“This isn’t about us telling anyone how they should coach, it’s about us identifying the things that are most important and discussing how we can do these things better collectively. We have dozens of high-quality coaches working along the pathway so it’s about engaging all of those who want be involved in this process, having strong coaching conversations and collectively moving the game forward.”

Scottish Hockey’s performance team, including its high performance coaches and pathway coaches, have all engaged with the BRAVE development process in a collective effort, and now it’s time for coaches across the country to get involved and have their say.

Scottish Hockey: Updated guidance

Updated guidance and indicative dates for return to competition

Scottish Hockey has released updated Phase 3 guidance and provisional dates outlining a staged return to competitive hockey.

It follows the Scottish Government announcement that from Monday 24 August full contact outdoor sports can take place for up to 30 people, following the guidance of sporting governing bodies.

With social distancing no longer required during on-pitch sessions, clubs can now focus on in-house games. Scottish Hockey’s Phase 3 Guidance outlines how this can be done safely and in line with Scottish Government guidelines.

From an indicative date of 5 September, local friendlies within your geographical district can be arranged where appropriate, when following guidelines, and is facility dependant.

This allows a build-up of activity from club to district to national level, focussing on a gradual build-up, local travel, while reducing the possibility of outbreaks in the return to competition.

Significantly, the provisional date for the return of Scottish Hockey competitions has been set for 3 October, subject to government guidelines and facilities.

Scottish Hockey CEO David Sweetman said, “I’m delighted we’re able to release this updated Phase 3 guidance and announce some provisional dates to work towards competitive match play.

“A phenomenal amount of work has got us to this stage, with clubs up and down the country doing incredible work to ensure their members return to the pitch safely, and Scottish Hockey staff working exceptionally hard to establish clear guidance and support clubs.

“We all still have to be cautious, take our time, and follow guidance to ensure Covid-19 is kept under control while we get back to enjoying the sport we love.”

Scottish Hockey: League season 2019/20 is now completed

Following the suspension of hockey due to the unprecedented situations presented by the Covid-19 virus, Scottish Hockey can confirm that the 2019/20 league season is now completed for Scottish Hockey’s Premiership, National, Championship and Regional leagues.

Scottish Hockey’s Management Committee considered all options to complete the 2019/20 season in full on the pitch, as well as partial completion of the season, in detail, and reached the unanimous decision, endorsed by the Scottish Hockey Board, that it is sadly now not possible to complete all the remaining fixtures on the pitch.

The 2019/20 cup and plate competitions are also now completed.

There will be no winners awarded for season 2019/20, and no automatic promotion or relegation, however with the majority of leagues completing over 60% of matches there is clearly a wish for the endeavour of clubs to be recognised. Therefore, teams have been given a placing based on their performance up until hockey was suspended.

The final league rankings (attached) for the 2019/20 season have been determined using average points per match, based on the matches completed prior to competitions being suspended.

Scotland’s European representatives, based on these rankings, will be Grange (EHL); Western Wildcats (Men’s EuroHockey Trophy); Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University (both Women’s EuroHockey Challenge 1).

Three guiding principles were established as part of our decision making process: health and safety; fairness; and practicality.

From the outset of the process we aimed to ensure that no team is negatively impacted by the current circumstances, and as such, there will be no teams automatically relegated or promoted this season.

League Season 2020/21

We are currently considering the most suitable approach for season 2020/21. The Board of Scottish Hockey recognises that the Management Committee was not established to operate in these unprecedented times and so it has been determined that the powers of the Management Committee be suspended at present and that a task force be created, that includes members of the Board and the Management Committee, to consider our approach for season 2020/21.

It is intended that the task force will consult with member clubs with a view to building a route map, aligned to Scottish Government guidance, for the season ahead.

The timeline for this task force is as follows:

19 June: task force appointed

10 July: consultation with clubs

24 July: decision

We will release our working scenarios document outlining the process of how the decisions regarding season 2019/20 were made along with the task force appointments. 

Season completion – FAQ 

What does completion mean?

The current suspension of hockey will continue and no further games will be played in the 2019/20 season.

Why can’t the remaining games be played ahead of the next season?

As part of the decision-making process, all options to complete the 2019/20 season in full, as well as partial completion of the season, were considered.

Due to the level of uncertainty around facilities; social distancing; teams’ access to players; universities; and government restrictions, it is not possible to confirm with certainty when hockey will resume. This break in continuity also means that any restart would not be a fair reflection of the teams who began the 2019-20 campaign.

Next season will start afresh when it is safe and possible to do so.

What is Scottish Hockey’s decision regarding league winners, promotion and relegation?

There is no automatic promotion or relegation in season 2019/20. There will be no winners awarded for season 2019/20. However, with the majority of leagues completing over 60% of matches there is clearly a wish for the endeavour of clubs to be recognised. Therefore, teams have been given a placing based on their performance up until hockey was suspended. Placings were calculated by using average points per game to determine the final positions within the league, see further details below.

It was determined that to relegate any team without fulfilling all fixtures would be unfair. Therefore, in season 2019/20 there will be no relegations.

How were placings worked out?

All games played before the suspension (00:01 on 14 March 2020) were included in calculating league standings. Placings were calculated by using average points per game to determine the final positions within the league.

The points per game average for each team was calculated by dividing the number of games played by the total points gained. In the event that two teams were equal after establishing their points per game average, goal difference was used to rank the teams.

Why was points per game average used?

Due to the uneven number of games played within leagues it was determined that the fairest calculation was the points per game average as this aligned with our principle of fairness, and ensures that no team was disadvantaged/advantaged as a result of less/more games played.

Why are the standings in Men’s National League 2 and Men’s National league 3 different than what is shown on the Scottish Hockey website?

Prior to the announcement that all hockey would be suspended there were two forfeited games due to be played on the 14th March. It was decided to exclude these games from the average points per game calculation as they were due to be played after the suspension, which begun on 14th March.

Who will represent Scotland in European competitions next season?

Scotland’s European representatives for next season have been determined by the 2019/20 points per game placings. This was unanimously approved in a vote by the Management Committee who felt teams competing in the 2019/20 season are a more accurate reflection of competitive standards than that of team positions from the previous season.

From the men’s Premiership, Grange and Western Wildcats will compete in Europe. In the women’s Premiership, Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University will play in Europe.

Are the cup and plate competitions still going to be played?

No further cup or plate games will take place in season 2019/20 and no winners will be awarded. 

Will clubs be offered a refund or credit for the 2019/20 season?

Yes, all teams involved in our leagues will be offered 40% credit for their entry fee of next season’s competitions, or have the opportunity to allocate that money to support Scottish Hockey youth teams in 2021. 

What does this mean for youth competitions?

Recently Scottish Hockey announced that all domestic youth competitions planned for the period up until the end of August have been cancelled.

This includes the U12, U14 and U16 festivals in May and June. The U16 National Club Cup and the U14 Inter Districts. 

Are cards and suspensions carried over to next season?

Yes, any individual who received a match ban that was not served in season 2019/20 will have their ban carried over to the first games of next season.

Any yellow cards that were given in 2019/20 season will stand and as per the discipline code, any individual who accumulates four yellow cards in the same competition within any 12 month period will receive a suspension. 

When will next season start?

We will be guided by the Scottish Government and public health authorities in making any decision to resume hockey. We will consult with clubs to establish their readiness to restart formal competitions and any specific barriers they may face. 

What is the format of next year’s competitions?

Scottish Hockey will be consulting with our clubs on the structures for organised competitions next year. The consultation documents will be sent to our clubs by 10 July. 

How many teams will get relegated from each league in season 2020/21?

We need to wait for league structures to be finalised before we confirm this. We plan to work to the principal that every team that wins their league will have a chance to be promoted either automatically or through a playoff, and at least every side that finishes bottom of a league will either be relegated or face a relegation playoff. If there is a significant change to the structures in 2020-2021 there may be a requirement for further relegation. This will be communicated in advance of any league starting.

Who will be on the task force?

The Scottish Hockey Board will appoint the task force and its members will be circulated with the initial consultation.

What happens if our team wants to play in a lower league?

When the structures are confirmed for the upcoming seasons, clubs will submit their entry forms. If a team wishes to play in a lower league, then they should speak to the Competitions and Events Manager who can advise.

I want more information

If you have any further questions, or any feedback, please contact competitions@scottish-hockey.org.uk

Scotland’s Hockey Clubs make the pledge

Despite their inability to play matches, Scotland’s 100 hockey clubs have been invited to sign a Club Pledge to keep the sport connected and vibrant throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

And so far, in just over one week, over 60 of them have done so, with yet more looking to sign-up in course of the month of May.

The Club Pledge can be found at https://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/clubs/club-pledge/.

The Club Pledge is intended to bring the hockey community together and connected, while showcasing the good work being done by clubs and to enable other clubs to do the same.

Scotland’s hockey club members are being urged to maintain club togetherness and community to help the sport to thrive.

By making the Club Pledge the clubs will:

  • Hold weekly club/team online (Zoom/Teams/GoTo) meetings at the time their training session would be.
  • Host virtual club social events – online quiz; karaoke; party nights
  • Set club challenges to raise money for charity and good causes – for example run 5k and donate £5.
  • Profile club members who are on the front line – working in the NHS; carers; supermarket workers; refuse workers etc.

Paul Elliott, Communications Manager at Scottish Hockey, said: “Scotland’s hockey club members are missing the bonds and companionship they get from playing and training with their team mates for the game they love.

“This initiative helps clubs and teams maintain those bonds and keep spirits high in preparation for that time when we can all meet up again on the hockey pitch.

“In the meantime we are hoping that all of our affiliated hockey clubs will make the Club Pledge to maintain the great sense of community and togetherness people enjoy through hockey.

“There’s also an amazing amount of fundraising taking place through Club Pledge, so collectively we will hope to establish the amount of funds that have been raised for good causes right across the country.”