England Hockey Saddened By Passing of Mike Ward

England Hockey were saddened to hear of the death of Mike Ward, a key figure in hockey across the South, Hampshire and Dorset, for very many years. He passed away in February aged 79.

The Celebration of the life of Mike Ward will be held at Bournemouth HC Chaplegate home ground, on 13 May 2022.  This is open to anyone in the hockey family who knew Mike, and is an opportunity for groups he was involved in to say a few words; please arrive from 13:00 for 13:30.

Address: Christchurch Road, East Parley BH23 6BL

Dress code: There will be an optional dress code for men to consider wearing a jacket (ideally blazer) with a hockey tie, in a tribute to Mike.

Mike held countless voluntary roles for county hockey Associations and indeed some Hockey Association Committees, many as Chairman and was an absolute stalwart of the game for half a century.

He began his hockey journey as a goalkeeper for his local club Bournemouth as well as for Dorset H.A.

Although still on the Hampshire H.A. Committee he had only recently stepped down as Chairman and at one point was even Hampshire President, for a short while. He was a lawyer by profession and that skill was not lost in the way he managed discipline across Hampshire and the South in general, and as such granted him great respect. 

He was the active Chair of the Southern Counties H.A. and a founder member (and in recent decades) Chairman of the South Men’s League (the largest in the country), which up until last season had run for 49 consecutive years. He also acted as one of its Hon. League Result Secretaries for 47 years.

He was awarded England Hockey’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 (pictured) as recognition for his phenomenal contribution to hockey in so many ways. Upon receiving his award, he told the Bournemouth Echo he was, “Taken aback, totally surprised and almost emotional. “I had absolutely no idea it was coming. I’m generally not one for awards but feel immensely proud to have been recognised by England Hockey in this way. First and foremost, I’m an administrator and thoroughly enjoy all I do for the game.”

England Hockey would like to offer sincere condolences to Mike’s family, friends and colleagues.