Bourne Hockey Club

Bourne Hockey Club was formed in 1921, playing at the Abbey Lawn and frequently providing members for the county team. The club achieved prominence during the 1950s and 1960s under the captaincy of the legendary Bob Creasey when they became one of the strongest sides in Lincolnshire.

By 1965, the club was playing 45 matches per season against teams from Grimsby in the north, Hitchin in the south, Nottingham in the west and Norwich in the east. County members who also played for the Bourne club were Bob Creasey, R White, M Perkins and J Richardson.

Although league hockey was not introduced until 1970, the club had by then established a formidable reputation, eventually becoming founder members of the county league and competed until the amalgamation into the Printwize East League in 1980 and entering four teams in this competition.

In 1998, the game was being played on astro-turf and so the club moved its venue from the Abbey Lawn to the council owned pitches adjoining the leisure centre at Deeping St James. Games were also played at the Bushfield Sports Centre in Peterborough and at Stamford High School.

By 2012, the club had seven senior teams playing at a wide variety of levels ranging from Men's East Division 2 to East Division 6 North West and the Ladies' East Division 2 North to Cambs Division 1.

The club also has a thriving junior and youth section run by Sue Oakley which achieved the England Hockey quality mark accreditation called Clubs First. This award acknowledged that the club is committed to supporting the development of a safe, effective and child friendly environment, offering children an opportunity to pick up a hockey stick and learn a new sport. If they already played the game at school, then this is a chance to improve their skills.

A series of master classes are also held on Saturday mornings with fun drills and games organised by qualified coaches and supported by the club's Young Leaders and senior players, concluding with a mini-tournament for all players. All youngsters are then invited to stay and watch a mixed game with a selection of adult players and hopefully a couple of players from the England squad.

WRITTEN APRIL 2012