Common Wealth Games

Common Wealth Games

HOCKEY

Here, you will find all relating information to the 30+ competitions which are run by England Hockey.  We are still adding information to this section following the launch of the revamped site, so if something you are looking for is missing, please accept our apologies The information you want is only a 'few' clicks away!
Because of the sheer volume of competitions which are on offer, you may have to click a few times before you get to the competition you want!  However, we've tried to make the navigation as easy as possible and you will find a section at the bottom of the menu which is called "recently viewed comps".  This will be a very useful area if you use the same computer to look out for the latest draws and results, and will provide a shortcut to the last few competitions you have looked at!

The history of competitions in England

Although hockey was organised by The Hockey Association and All England Women’s Association from the latter part of 19th century, it was not until 1958 that the first national domestic competition, the Men’s County Championships, was held. The Women followed suit 10 years later. 

Clubs first took to the national stage with the Men’s Club Championships in 1972, which was the forerunner to the Men’s Cup competition. Through the 70’s and 80’s an increasing number of leagues were set up on a local and regional basis and at the end of the 1980’s both the Men’s and Women’s national leagues were formed. These leagues came together in 1997 as the English Hockey League and feature the top eighty eight men’s and women’s clubs in England and Wales.  In 2006, England Hockey announced a major sponsorship deal with Slazenger who became title sponsors of the England Hockey National League from the start of the 2006/07 season.

What competitions are on offer?

Today there are over 30 national competitions which cover the full age-range of the game. Club 1st XI’s are catered for with the Knockout Cup, Trophy (sponsored by Harrod UK) and Vase competitions depending on the level they play at. Juniors start with the seven-a-side Mini hockey championships on half pitches at Under 11 and U13 and then progress to knockout cups for U14, U16 and U18 age groups. The Veterans Cup for Over 40’s and Vintage Cup for Over 50’s are played for the more mature male players, whilst their female counterparts play in an Over 35’s competition. Men and women come together in the social but competitive national Mixed Cup.

School teams also compete in the Mini Hockey Championships then into the full size game with U14, U16 and U18 cup competitions for boys and girls.

How can my club get involved?

Entries for our knockout competitions are taken on an annual basis.