Society is predictably suffering anxiety and insecurity following the Covid 19 hysteria of 2020.
It follows that children and young adults are a large proportion of the population seeking help from mental health providers as the disruption and isolation caused by lock-downs forms a greater proportion of their lives.
Sport and exercise have long been promoted as a safe and healthy means of socialising and distracting the mind from worry and anxiety.
The Paris Olympics will undoubtedly inspire many people to consider taking up a sport or rekindling one they haven’t considered since leaving school.
I have been inspired to write about the sport of hockey, as it is known in England and Field Hockey as it is known in countries where Ice Hockey is the more popular sport.
Until the weekend of 8th – 9th June 2024, I was ignorant of the many leagues and clubs which flourish around the UK. I was invited to watch the Men’s Over 70s Hockey Tournament at the Cambridge University Sports Club.
I couldn’t imagine six regional teams of men, all over the age of 70 who would come together over a weekend to play six hockey matches. Four games each on the Saturday and two on the Sunday.
Whilst the teams represented their regions which is a great achievement to be selected, many have played each other as well as on the same teams for the greater part of their lives.
I am still marvelling at the level of fitness I saw, with gentlemen between the ages of 70 and 75 running around a full size hockey pitch for two halves of 20 minutes only relieved by the short half time breather. I believe each team had to play two consecutive games at some point in order to fit in all the matches within the two days.
I won’t mislead you about the fatigue I saw at the end of play on Saturday, but with the exception of one gentleman sustaining an achilles injury, each region fielded their teams for the remaining matches on Sunday morning and the players were as determined as on Saturday to give their best.
I will include links so that you can learn whether hockey is a sport you would like to become involved in. I will be reposting this piece on my web-pages which promote anti-ageing and longevity. These men can shame people half their age with such standards of fitness and stamina.
Not only fitness, but they exhibit a glow of youthful enthusiasm for the game and the sport as a whole. Many of these gents can pass for 10 or 15 years younger than their ages.
Not everyone is interested in joining a sports club or competing in team sports, but, if you have an opportunity to watch a tournament, as I did, I am sure you will meet some great people and find yourself smiling with pleasure as you enjoy the dedication of the players, the referees and the other-halves who loyally support their partners.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR THE ENGLAND HOCKEY WEBSITE
New to Hockey | England Hockey
Discover Hockey This Summer
Find out more about the exciting sport of hockey, and how and where you can get involved in your local area.
Has the Olympics inspired you or someone to you know to try hockey for the first time, or has it encouraged you to come back to the sport and give it another go? If so, use our guides below to find out where you can easily pick up a stick in your local area and give it a try.
What does hockey have to offer?
Hockey truly is a sport for everyone, and we pride ourselves on being inclusive. It is one of the few team sports which is gender balanced, and suitable for people of all shapes and sizes. It is also a family friendly sport as people of all ages can play, with family members often playing together in the same teams!
Taking part in hockey is beneficial in lots of ways:
- You will have lots of fun whilst being active and developing your physical and fundamental movement skills
- You will have the opportunity to socialise and make some new friends
- You will be encouraged to recognise and practice some key character development skills such as teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship
- Taking part, learning new skills and being active will help to build your self esteem and improve your confidence in many ways
So, what are you waiting for? With options available for all ages and abilities there’s no better time than now to start playing, and to experience all that hockey has to offer.
Find a Club (englandhockey.co.uk)
THE GREATEST MALE HOCKEY PLAYER
As a Post-Script, for the people who perceive hockey as a posh ladies game, I want you to know that, probably, the greatest player in the history of modern hockey was Major Dhyan Chand of the British Indian Army. Born in 1905, he represented India in the 1928, 1932 and the 1936 Olympic Games.
Incredibly, Adolph Hitler was so impressed by his skill and leadership of the Indian team that he offered Chand, German citizenship and various incentives to leave the Indian army.
Dhyan Chand returned to his regiment and at the outbreak of war in 1939 received promotion to an officer.
Revered in India for his dedication to the sport of hockey, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is presented to the leading international sports person of the year.
He is widely regarded by many as the greatest field hockey player in world history. He was known for his extraordinary ball control and goal-scoring feats, in addition to earning three Olympic Gold Medals, in 1928, 1932 and 1936, during an era where India dominated field hockey. His influence extended beyond these victories, as India won the field hockey event in seven out of eight Olympics from 1928 to 1964.
Known as “The Wizard” or “The Magician of hockey” for his superb ball control, Chand played internationally from 1926 to 1949, where he scored 570 goals in 185 matches according to his autobiography, “Goal”, and over 1,000 goals in his entire domestic and international career.