A London club born out of the London 2012 Olympics is celebrating its 10th anniversary — after a three-decade hiatus with no hockey in the borough due to a lack of facilities.
Ealing HC’s current chairman Jeff Moores founded the club in 2013, five years after he started supporting Ealing’s London Youth Games hockey squads, with no specific club in Ealing.
Over the last 10 years Ealing HC teams have reached London Youth Games finals on a number of occasions – two years ago Ealing won gold (boys) and silver (girls).
“The archives show that Ealing’s strong hockey pedigree, with its own club for over a century,” said Moores.
They were three times national women’s champions in the 1980’s before the club was forced to close. Three decades on and following the launch of a junior academy at Ealing HC by Moores, an adult section was founded in 2018.
The club saw four adult promotions in its first three seasons before lockdown hit. A Goalkeeper Academy and Talent Pathway programme have been initiated while the club hopes to attain National Talent Centre accreditation, growing to over 400 members and half of its juniors — there are 20 teams — attending state schools in the borough.
Ealing has now won several borough awards, including the 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Sports and 2023 Sports Club of the Year. Adult and junior volunteers have also been awarded Volunteer of the Year on several occasions.
Moores added: “Last year, the Club also launched a community engagement program, starting with a pilot after-school club at Fielding Primary School. As a result, we aim to extend this program to other primary schools and eventually secondary schools.
“I am particularly proud that the club I launched 10 years ago is now member-owned, volunteer run, and an integral part of the local community. Here’s to the next 10 years.”
Do you have a feature or story idea? Send your news. Get in touch!
