Staines Hockey Club Inspire | English hockey

Covid-19 and the closure have had a huge impact on many people, clubs and sports, but the Staines Hockey Club took on the challenge and managed to increase its membership!

Since the doors opened, Staines HC has organized regular training sessions with an average of 3 new players. This has led to an incredible 30% increase in membership. The club has welcomed and introduced hockey to the community where they can, and has seen a truly positive impact.

Hard work doesn’t end there. Staines HC has worked closely with schools to help teachers and inspire children to pick up a cane.

It began in 2016 when the club built its junior strategy, which focused on making the club an attractive and appropriate elementary school for children.

In 2017, Ruth Hine, a longtime member of Staines HC, a retired teacher, Ex England and GB’s international and current England Hockey Masters player, took charge and led the club’s information program. Ruth visited schools and began spreading the love of hockey through gatherings and exercise. His hard work was worthwhile as the children began to pick up the stick outside of school.

The program was important to the club, but also had a positive impact on schools and children. Children have the opportunity to learn a new sport and develop the skills offered by hockey, while the school and teachers develop their coaching knowledge.

In late 2019, Ruth had to resign from the program, but not without inspiring more coaches to participate. Lead junior coach Ben Green is now helping schools by providing advice, training plans and video calls to help teachers, some of whom have little or no experience in hockey, take the stick and inspire the next generation of players.

Staines HC hopes to expand its hard work as Covid restrictions are lifted by visiting schools and building stronger, closer and more exciting relationships with the community.