Taking up Hockey
The game of hockey is played widely across the world. Hockey is, in fact, the second largest team sport in the world played in over 100 countries. It is a popular family orientated sport, played mainly in clubs by children and adults alike, across a wide age spectrum. The game is also a popular sport in many schools. You are never too late to take up hockey and it offers a lifetime of both sporting and social opportunities for players, officials and administrators alike. Over the years many notable Waterford Hockey Club players have joined our club coming from other sporting backgrounds like soccer and hurling. Also one of Ireland’s most successful school’s hockey coaches never played the sport prior to coaching it.
Key health and wellbeing benefits to you from playing hockey
- A great cardiovascular workout.
- Builds muscular and skeletal strength.
- Improves overall balance and agility, as well as hand-eye coordination.
- Promotes weight loss and boosts your metabolism.
- Improves breathing and blood circulation.
- Boosts endurance and stamina.
- Improves speed and reaction.
- Enhances mental health and resilience.
- Builds teamwork and team bonding.
- Improves communication skills.
Field Hockey explained
The rules of field hockey are very similar to the rules of soccer except that players must use their sticks instead of their feet to play the ball. There are 11 players on a team made up of a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards. The only player on the field who is allowed to use their feet and hands as well as their stick is the goalkeeper.
Probably the key rules differential between field hockey and soccer lies with there being no offside rule in field hockey allowing for an extremely fast, potentially high scoring and exciting game.
The following video is a brief introduction to the sport of field hockey.
Joining Waterford Hockey Club
Waterford Hockey Club grounds are located at Newtown School in Waterford city. We welcome beginners and new members of all age categories regardless of your specific hockey or general sporting experience. If you would like to consider joining Waterford Hockey Club you can simply come along to any of our regular training sessions, ask any questions you may have or try out a session. Please see our ‘Training Times’ page.
Please introduce yourself to any of our coaches or players at the pitch side. We can provide you with a hockey stick if you don’t have one at the time. Please bring a fitted gum shield and shin guards.
Non club members are required to pay a €20 fee at their first session, so they can be registered as a temporary member of the club. This fee allows participants to attend up to 4 try-out sessions. Please see our ‘Membership & Fees’ page for more details.
If you require any further information not on our website you can use the message sender on the ‘Contact Us’ page or email us directly at info@waterfordhockeyclub.com.
