#GetSeasonReady

With hockey clubs gearing up for an exciting new season, the sport is coming together to help take advantage of what is hoped will be a surge in interest in hockey following an incredible Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.   

#GetSeasonReady, which will run alongside #PickUpAStick to get more people to give hockey a try, is aimed at helping clubs, coaches, players and officials prepare for the new season after a successful home Games which saw the England women’s team win a historic first ever gold medal and the men win bronze and play in front of a packed crowds at The University of Birmingham.

#GetSeasonReady will highlight a number of ways in which clubs can get support and will focus on three key themes – Playing (helping clubs grow, retain and diversify memberships), People (supporting and inspiring coaches, umpires and volunteers) and Environment (helping ensure that hockey is safe and enjoyable for everyone with top tips and support around safeguarding, policies and procedures) and will point the way to a host of resources available to clubs over the coming weeks as they get ready for the season.

England Hockey Chief Executive, Nick Pink said:

“We are really excited about this season and want to see more people get involved in and benefit from hockey following a successful home Commonwealth Games. We are here to help clubs across the country get ready for the new season and make most of this moment in time and the opportunities for them.

“Whether it’s getting new coaches into the sport, shouting about the range of hockey programmes that clubs offer to people of all ages and abilities through our #PickUpAStick campaign or making sure that all the latest safeguarding practices are met, we’ve got a whole range of resources to help clubs #GetSeasonReady.”

England’s medal winning captains from Birmingham 2022 Zach Wallace and Hollie Pearne-Webb both started their hockey careers at their local clubs and are passionate about the role that that clubs play in getting more people into the sport whether through playing, coaching or volunteering. 

Wallace, who started out at his local club Oxted as a junior, said:

“It was great to play in front of packed crowds at a home Commonwealth Games and it just showed how much support and interest there is out there for hockey. Club hockey is where it all started for me and our clubs are the heartbeat of the sport. Having a home Games is a real opportunity to get more people into and loving the sport, so it is important that clubs get all the support they need ahead of the start of the season to make the most of the opportunity.”

Women’s captain, Hollie Pearne-Webb, who plays for Wimbledon Hockey Club added:

“I know the value of clubs and how important they are in terms of helping grow the game and getting people of all abilities and ages the chance to play the sport we all love. Whether you’re new to hockey or thinking of returning to the sport, clubs are a great way to get involved.”

Keep an eye out for more news in the coming weeks across England Hockey’s website and social media channels and hockey media outlets on how clubs can #GetSeasonReady