Protect Our Playing Fields & Pitches – Act Now

Can we ask all players / parents etc to sign and share this!

Its worth mentioning that our pitch was identified by England hockey and Sport England as a designated hockey surface otherwise this would almost certainly have been replaced with a 3G surface.

The Government is consulting on a proposal to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee for planning applications involving playing fields and pitches. Sport England’s role not only helps to safeguard pitches but also advises developers and local authorities to ensure facilities remain accessible to all communities and support active and healthy lives. Without this role, grassroots sport and grassroots hockey is at risk!

As part of the Protect Where We Play campaign, the Sport and Recreation Alliance has launched a petition calling on the Government to retain Sport England’s statutory consultee role and protect our playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities.

We need everyone in the hockey community, clubs, players, volunteers, and parents, to sign and share. Together, we can protect our pitches. The consultation closes on 13 January 2026.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/735586

**Updated** 2025-2026 Club training dates and times

Club training start for the season with Squad training on Tuesday August 26th and Club training on Wednesday August 27th.

Tuesday nights – Ladies Club training

  • Ladies 18.30 to 20.00

Wednesdays nights – Mens Club Training

  • Men 18.30 to 20.00

Senior training is free during the season to anyone who is regularly playing for senior teams. For those who are not eligible or infrequent players there will be a charge of £4.00 per session paid via Teamo.

If you would like to join us either come along to a session or contact us at join@whitchurchhockeyclub.com

England Hockey Training courses

As part of the new EH club membership training courses are now being offered for free.

All you need to do is signup for an account at the England Hockey hub and then signup for courses.

https://hockeyhub.england…

Safeguarding in hockey
Time to Listen
Umpire (Level 1)
Introduction to Hockey Coaching (Online)
Sessional Coach Course

And development modules

Coaching Club Teams
Coaching Junior hockey
And many more

If you sign up and complete please let us have any certificates for our club records and come and volunteer to support our every growing club.

Euro hockey championships 2025 – Watch England games on YouTube

England are currently taking part in the Euros and all the England games are free to watch on Channel 4 sports on YouTube.

EuroHockey Championship 2025 Women (8-17 August 2025)
10 August – England vs Scotland at 09:15 AM UK Time
11 August – England vs Belgium at 17:00 PM UK Time
13 August – Spain vs England at 09:00 AM UK Time

EuroHockey Championship 2025 Men (8-17 August 2025)
08 August – England vs Poland at 16:00 PM UK Time
10 August – England vs Germany at 14:00 PM UK Time
12 August – France vs England at 11:30 AM UK Time