Bedford Hockey Club will be joining hundreds of other clubs nationwide in participating in the Back to Hockey campaign, running 4 sessions every Thursday in July from 7-8pm at Bedford Hockey Centre. The sessions are suitable for female and male players of any age and ability.

What are Back to Hockey sessions?

Back to Hockey sessions are coached sessions for men and women who may not have played hockey for a long period of time or who are looking to try the sport for the first time.

Back to Hockey will provide you with a great opportunity to learn or refresh your skills and play with likeminded people in a friendly and relaxed environment … no pressure at all, just a great fun, inclusive environment where you can take things at your own pace.

How to take part

If you would like to take part in Back to Hockey sessions or need any further details, please contact Josh Dixon (men) or Kate Costin (women)

Where – Bedford Hockey Club, Chester Road, Bedford, MK40 4HL
When – Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th July (4 weeks)
Time – 7-8pm
Cost - £5 a session
Kit- Please wear sportswear to the sessions and bring any hockey kit you might own. If you don’t have kit, the club can loan some to you for your Back to Hockey Sessions.

How – Email to register with the relevant club captain
MENS – Josh Dixon jpdixon@hotmail.co.uk
WOMENS – Kate Costin katecostin@btinternet.com

Testimonial

One evening last year, while quietly hitting the ball with my son on the grass at the Bedford Hockey Club, I was approached by Cheryl Harding, who I didn’t know at the time, and she encouraged me to join Back To Hockey (2022). Prior to that, we had just moved to Bedford and I knew no one at the club. I used to play a lot of hockey and absolutely love the game, but after 20 years of not playing, I didn’t know how to get started again and felt completely inadequate to even try. After speaking to Cheryl I felt excited to give it a go! Back to Hockey sounded like a safe place to restart and maybe make some friends in Bedford!

In the days leading up to the start of Back to Hockey I tried to talk myself out of going because I was unfit, overweight and the game had changed so much over the years. With some encouragement from my family, I managed to make it to the first session and found myself waiting excitedly for the next session each week. Back to Hockey ran one day a week for a month with different coaches running different drills and games. At these sessions I often swiped and missed and didn’t stop the ball, but none of that mattered to anyone around me! However, I also learnt new skills, got clarity on rules that I was unclear on and I met several people who are still close friends of mine over a year later - many of whom continued on to join one of the league teams.

I personally felt confident enough, after the Back to Hockey sessions, to join a Summer League team. From there I went on to join the Ladies 7s, a very special entry-level team comprising of the most lovely and encouraging teammates whose ages range from 13-75!

Don’t let anything hold you back from signing up for this year’s Back to Hockey, even if you’ve never played before! It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make! - Taryn Da Silva