Whether you’re an experienced hockey player or have never picked up a stick before, there are loads of opportunities for you to get involved in hockey in Wales.
Hockey is a very inclusive sport – in fact it’s one of the most gender-equal sports in the UK! As well as being great for your physical health, it’s also an incredibly social sport with club members having great comradery both on and off the pitch.
Feeling inspired to get into hockey? Discover all the ways you can get involved!
Join Your Local Hockey Club
One of the best ways to start playing hockey is to join your local hockey club. There are clubs all over Wales so there’s sure to be one in a location that suits you.
Clubs have both Junior and Senior teams so cater to a wide range of ages, with training typically taking place on weekday evenings. You will need to check with each club individually for exact age groups and training times.
Use the Hockey Wales club finder to find a hockey club near you.
Flyerz Hokcey
Flyerz Hockey gives young people with disabilities the chance to play hockey. Delivered with the help of Access Sport, it is centred on making hockey a more inclusive sport.
If you would like to get involved in Flyerz Hockey, please contact info@hockeywales.org.uk to discuss your options.
Hockey Wales are eager to make hockey increasingly inclusive and establish more Flyerz Hockey Teams in local clubs across Wales.
Walking Hockey
Anyone who plays hockey knows that it’s a pretty fast paced game, and let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t fancy sprinting back and forth up the pitch! That’s why fellow hockey player Alan Gormley founded Walking Hockey.
As the name suggests, Walking Hockey is hockey at a much slower pace. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to continue or start playing hockey but can’t run around for 60 minutes (we don’t blame you!).
Several clubs across Wales run Walking Hockey. Contact info@hockeywales.org.uk to find your nearest one.
Masters Hockey
You can continue playing hockey well into your 30s, 40s, 50s and over if you want to! Masters hockey sees players compete in age group sides from over 35s to over80s.
Wales has squads at all Masters age groups – from over 35s to over 60s for the women and from over 35s to over 70's for the men. They compete in major tournaments throughout the year including the Home Nations, Europeans and the World Cup.
Find out more about Wales Master Hockey and how to get involved.
Hockey In Schools
Hockey is a great sport to play in schools - it's fun, fast, inclusive and great for boys and girls.
Hockey Wales offer a great programme to help schools introduce hockey into their PE curriculum. Discover more about Hooked on Hoci and how to get it in your school.
Coaching
Coaching is a great way to get involved in hockey if you don’t fancy or can longer play yourself. Our clubs are always looking for more coaches.
Hockey Wales run coaching courses for all levels, from introduction to coaching for beginners to advanced courses for experienced coaches. Email info@hockeywales.org.uk for more information.
Umpiring & Officiating
Umpires and officials are vital in facilitating competitive hockey. From evening friendlies and weekend league matches to season finals and international games, none can’t take place without umpires and technical officials.
Umpires control the matches and apply the rules of the game, like referees in football or rugby. Each game has two umpires, one on each side of the pitch. For new and inexperienced umpires, we run regular courses to help get you started.
Officials are pitch-side for all games and tournaments to ensure everything runs smoothly and in line with competition regulations. Officiating requires a good understanding of the rules of hockey and is a great option for fans of the game or former players to get/stay in involved.
Umpires and officials in Wales are members of the Welsh Hockey Umpires Association (WHUA). Find out more about the WHUA and the options they have available.
Holiday camps
Hockey holiday camps are held during some school holidays, such as half-terms. The camps welcome players of all abilities, from children who’ve never played hockey before to those who are active members of their school team and local hockey club.
During these camps, Hockey Wales coaches are present to provide expert tips and advice to help attendees improve their skills and have fun playing hockey.
Camps are held in sport centres in North, Mid and South Wales. Check the Hockey Wales website for the latest dates and locations.
Hockey Young Ambassadors
The Young Hockey Ambassador programme develops young leaders and volunteers in hockey. As well as training participants to become hockey coaches and umpires, the programme helps them develop vital skills for leadership, such as public speaking, networking and event management.
Run in partnership with the University of South Wales, Sport Wales and clubs across Wales, the programme has four different levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.