Hamble HC say they can buck the trend in what they believe is a declining interest in club sports after over 90 youngsters and their families from clubs including Fareham, Haslemere and Petersfield enjoyed their Mini Tournament this month.
This youth hockey tournament was the first event held at Hamble in over three years due to recent challenges, such as the pandemic and declining interest in club sports. However, it proved that there is still enthusiasm for grassroots hockey thanks, the club says, to the successes of the England and GB teams.
Fourteen teams consisting of kids aged from six to eleven, played a round robin of 10-minute matches and scored a 175 goals between them.
Scott Simper, youth section coach, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to host a wonderful tournament full of future hockey stars. After the Covid break, it’s refreshing to see so many kids back enjoying the sport that we all love.”
The friendly, family focused hockey club is always looking for new players to join not only their U8s, U10s and U14s teams but also their adult section, which boasts four men and two ladies’ teams.
Hamble, which has been part of the local community since 1958, is purely self-funded but sadly faces a challenging future with mounting costs for replacing the ageing and unreliable floodlights and rundown dugouts.
Fundraising has started in earnest, and they are looking for club sponsors, partnerships and donations to help raise the funds urgently needed.
Club captain Paul Barber said: “It was brilliant to see so many members of Hamble Hockey Club giving their time today to provide the hockey stars of tomorrow with such a fantastic under 8s and under 10s tournament. Let’s continue with this enthusiasm to start raising the funds we need to continue the success of our amazing Hamble Hockey Family
Hamble HC has been part of the community in Southampton since 1958 when Ken Makepeace, a headteacher at Hamble School, started ‘Hamble Old Boys Hockey Club’ for the students and working families.
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