Hockey

Hockey hits the mark!

Charlotte Corrigan interviewed Hannah Laverty-Metcalfe from Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern Hockey Club to discover more about the benefits of playing hockey.

Why should a girl choose hockey?

Hockey is the best sport in the world and it’s really good for building up social skills and boosting confidence.

What are the health benefits of hockey?

It’s great for cardiovascular endurance, building up your lung capacity. Obviously, keeping fit can be achieved through playing hockey and it allows you to maintain a healthy life balance.

What are the benefits of joining Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern Hockey Club?

There are numerous benefits for anyone joining us. At the moment, we have 6 teams and we currently have 6 junior teams, so there are 12 teams in total. We also have links with Westholme and lots of the students come and play for us. For the Juniors, we have an under 8s, under 10s, under 12s, under 14s and under 16s teams. Once the girls reach the age of 13, they have the opportunity to play in the senior teams and play in league hockey matches at the weekend. We’re the only club in the area that continues to train throughout summer, so it’s a year round sport as opposed to being a winter sport.

What equipment do you need to take up hockey?

If people want to come and join, we have all the equipment here. If they want to continue to play and perhaps play at a club level or senior level, we recommend that they need to have a gum shield, shin pads, Astro turf shoes or hockey shoes. If somebody would like to come and take part, sessions are free for them to come and have a go at. But a stick is a must if they want to continue to play.

What advice would you give to a girl thinking about getting into hockey?

Come and give it a go, we’re a great really friendly, family-orientated club. A lot of the children that play are from all over the area, so it’s a great way of building social skills and making new friends. It’s just a great sport to come and play.

Just give hockey a try. You never know, you might not just find a sport you love, but a great set of friends too. It’s certainly one of the friendliest clubs, I’ve ever visited. Thanks to Hannah and Jo for making us so welcome.

For more information please visit blackburnnorthern.co.uk/hockey