We round up regular stories across the UK and globe, from clubs to players and inspiring stories beyond the pitch
The man who set up Henley HC in Oxfordshire has celebrated his 100th birthday. Friends and family gathered at the home of Dan Seymour, a house which he built with his late wife.
After leaving school in 1939, he worked for the accounts department at Great Western Railway before volunteering at the RAF office in Reading. He became a qualified radio technician and during the Second World War he worked on a radar project. Three years later, he was one of two squadrons working on the development of a “bouncing” bomb.
As a keen hockey player he was a founding member of Henley HC where he met his future wife Sylvia.
His old school The Henley College said: “Dan Seymour has lived an amazing life, and his journey from a Henley Grammar School alumni to contributing to the development of groundbreaking technology during WWII is truly inspiring. Happy 100th birthday to a remarkable individual!”
His daughter said: “He was very keen to cut the cake. He was also given a card by King Charles and Camilla, of which I imagine not many have been handed out yet.
“Lots of his friends from the road were at the celebration as well as their children who were my age when growing up.”
Showing sponsor thanks
How to show thanks to key grass roots sponsors? Why, head to their HQ and present them with framed playing shirts.
Bloxwich Hockey Club recently took the opportunity to show its gratitude to their kit sponsors, Leamore Windows and Elite Aluminium. “Their contribution has been instrumental in enabling us acquire new playing kit, and we were thrilled to present them with framed playing shirts as a token of our appreciation,” the club said.
“As local businesses, their partnership means more than just financial support; it represents a shared vision of fostering community growth and encouraging the love for sports among our youth and adults alike. The new playing kit not only boosts team morale but also reinforces a sense of pride in representing their businesses on the field.”
Hockey venues around the world
Women’s club starts out new life
A club in Sussex, UK has launched as “a new, fun and inclusive hockey club”. Based at The Littlehampton Academy, Phoenix Hockey Club was officially formed in August.
The club has a women’s team competing in the South East Women’s Division 4 Martlets and a junior girls team for u12s to u16s in the Junior Development League (JDL). The club is looking to grow its members, including teams for men and junior boys. For more information and to arrange a free training session, email info@phoenixhockey.co.uk.
Irish school’s squad meets – nearly 50 years later
They won the Northern Ireland Technical Schools’ Junior Cup final against Lurgan College. The next day, nine of the team helped Technical College in the Senior final where they beat favourites Enniskillen College.
And 48 years later members of Ballymena Intermediate reunited. Six of the nine met up recently after one of the ladies, Jacqueline Smith, flew over from Australia where she has been playing masters hockey. It was the firs time they had been together since their school days.
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