Sonning Hockey Club to offer free sessions next month

Sonning Hockey Club’s aim is to help incentivise the local community to pick up a hockey stick for the first time or get back into the sport after a break. Run by qualified coaches, the sessions will be an introduction to fundamental skills and inclusive small-sided gameplay.

Sonning Hockey Club, who play at Berkshire County Sports club in Sonning, fields 18 teams across its men’s, ladies’ and colt’s teams – with six men’s teams, five ladies’ teams and seven colt’s teams.

The sessions are available for people over the age of 13 and there is no limit on an upper age.

Men’s Tuesday sessions

• 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug

Ladies’ Wednesday sessions:

• 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug

Men's and ladies' competitive games take place on Saturdays and colts on Sundays – players of all abilities will find the right team that suits them. Both the ladies' Firsts and men's Firsts play in South Central Premier Division Two – with the Men’s Firsts team having an undefeated season last year and achieving promotion to this division.

From September, Sonning Hockey Club will hold regular training sessions on Tuesdays (men’s) and Wednesdays (ladies) with colt’s sessions also running across both days.

The hockey club has a range of coaches, including John Shaw, who represented Great Britain in the Olympics. He also won a silver medal with England at the 1986 World Cup and an Olympic gold medal in Seoul.

Edward Butler, President of Sonning Hockey Club, said: “Inclusivity is at the heart of our hockey club’s values, and we are always excited to see new friends smiling and enjoying the sport we all love. Sonning prides itself on being the most sociable and friendly hockey club in the area.

"Our large number of competitive hockey teams mean we are able to cater for all abilities. We hope these free August sessions will encourage people to make hockey their sport, and Sonning Hockey Club your home to do it!”