The London borough of Tower Hamlets has a long history of producing talented hockey players who have gone on to be National Champions at school boy level. Junior players have also represented Essex, East and England at various age groups.
Tower Hamlets Hockey club has been set up to compliment the work of Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation (THYSF) to allow the junior players to play regular hockey with the support of senior players. The hope is to increase the numbers of youth participation in hockey outside of school as part of the London 2012 legacy. THYSF already deliver hockey coaching in schools through their hockey development officer, who currently works with the majority of primary and secondary schools in the borough as well as overseeing the existing tower hamlets district hockey teams who compete in local hockey leagues at U10 and U12 for both boys and girls. THYSF also run the London Youth Games (Tower Hamlets) Hockey Teams for boys and girls at Under 13 level.
Part of the clubs vision is to increase participation within minority groups who have limited access to existing hockey opportunities this has been an issue identified by England Hockey’s East London Stakeholders Group. The club will provide pathways for students from Tower Hamlets schools into senior hockey in a welcoming environment offering training sessions and weekend league matches. This retention is crucial to the continued growth of hockey in the borough whilst aiding the transition to. The clubs vision is to setup a female section in the near future again with the idea of encouraging participation from all members of the local community. With support from Tower Hamlets Youth Sport Foundation the club caters for the whole player pathway from primary school level to senior level.
