The
Southern Counties Hockey Association was formed in 2000 and represents all
hockey in the South of England. The Association is the successor to the former highly
successful associations that previously managed the sport as single sex
associations during the twentieth century. We have a range of competitive and
social hockey.
Hockey is a
sport for all the family. It is a game which can be enjoyed by all whatever
your skill level and whatever your age - from eight to eighty. In the South of
England there is competitive hockey for Under 11 boys and girls playing
together in the mixed mini hockey leagues right through the age and skills
range to super vets. There are clubs with sides competing in the English
National Hockey League and mixed adult sides playing just for the social
pleasure. Adult leagues are organised on a county basis
feeding into regional leagues with winners of these leagues being eligible for
entry to the national leagues.
The
Association runs sides at U15 and U17 boys and girls who compete annually in a
national tournament against other regional sides in October.
The
Association runs veterans men’s O40, O45, O50, O55, O60, O65 and women’s O40
and O45 sides who compete in regional tournaments in May and June each
year. England sides are now being
selected at some of these age groups.
Clubs will
accept newcomers to the sport - both adults and children.
Hockey
offers opportunities for skills other than playing; umpiring, coaching, team
management and administration. In each of these functions an experience as a
player is helpful but it is certainly not essential. If you have an interest in
any aspect of hockey do not hesitate to contact the clubs mentioned in this
site or its linked sites.
Umpiring:
Each game of hockey requires two umpires; the county umpires' associations run
courses for umpires. We never have enough umpires. Look at our county websites for
details of county umpires’ associations and the courses they run.
Coaching:
There is a range of courses leading to NVQ qualifications in coaching. More and
more clubs and development projects require coaches at various levels. Details of coaching courses can be
found on the England
Hockey coaching courses webpage.
For
information about hockey in England view the England Hockey site.
For
information about the international governing body contact the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The greater
part of men’s league hockey in the Southern Counties is organised through the
men’s South League. The League is organised in two pyramids. There are 135
teams playing in the 1st XI League and 512 teams (2nd XI’s and
below) playing in the Open League.
There are plans to move to a fully open league (except Premier South in
2009-10.
The principal
divisions are the South 1st XI Premier Division 1 and Division 2. The feeder
leagues are the Kent/Sussex, Surrey/Hants and Middlesex, Berks, Bucks and Oxon
regional leagues.
The
Open League has 144 teams in directly administered under the South banner.
Under local county administration are; Hampshire Open – 72 teams; Kent Open -
104 ; Middlesex, Berks, Bucks and Oxon (MBBO) Open 68 teams; Surrey Open - 79
teams; and Sussex Open – 45 teams.
The London
League offers competitive league hockey for second and lower elevens of certain
affiliated clubs.
In addition
teams of older players compete in the Wessex Masters League.
Women’s League Hockey
All women’s hockey in the Southern Counties is managed in open
leagues. The principal league is the South Clubs League. Divisions 1 and 2
consist of ten teams whilst Division 3 consist of two leagues of ten teams:
Division 3A Middlesex, Berks, Bucks and Oxon and; Division 3B Hampshire, Surrey
and Sussex.
For member clubs of the league see South League website
The feeder leagues are:
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Women’s League - The Three Counties League
Hampshire Women’s League
Middlesex Women’s League
Surrey Ladies’ League
Sussex Ladies’ League
Contact details for each league site are on the Home page.