Hockey

Hockey is fast, furious, and physically demanding team sport. Squads consist of 18 players, with 11 players on the pitch at one time and rolling subs. Matches consist of four periods of 15 minutes, with the team scoring the most goals winning. 

It is one of the most participated sports in the country and is a great way to develop social, team, and communication skills. It’s not just fun to play, it’s also a rapidly growing spectator sport. 

England hosted the women's Hockey World Cup in July 2018 and were among the favourites to claim victory after Team GB's success at Rio two summers before. A thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands saw the team claim gold in Brazil, four years after taking bronze in London. 

It was only the British team's fourth field hockey success at the Summer Olympics following victories for the men in 1908 (as England), 1920 and 1988.

Did You Know?

• Typically a goalkeeper has 0.2 seconds to react to a penalty corner. 
• The first organised club was the Blackheath Football and Hockey Club, which dates back to at least 1861.
• Hockey has been involved in the School Games Finals since the event's conception.
• Actress Emma Watson is one of many famous people who played Hockey when she was at school.
• In a full game of hockey, players can travel as far as five miles while running around the pitch. Men’s hockey also boasts the fastest swing speed of any sport- it’s even quicker than golf and baseball.