Scotland’s top five clubs for growth and membership

Top clubs

Many of Scotland’s hockey clubs have enjoyed growth in membership over the past year with some welcoming excellent numbers of new players.

Enjoying a significant increase in membership was Troon Ladies Hockey Club who had a growth in membership of 325% with a rise from 20 members to 85. This growth of 65 members in a year put the club in first place of percentage growth rankings. Club President Rhoda Howe said: “Behind success has to be dedication and hard work. For more than a decade it has been a nomadic club hiring pitches across north and south Ayrshire, our last five years based at Whittlets Activity Centre Ayr. But the announcement in July 2014 from South Ayrshire Council confirming Sports Scotland support towards the funding of a national playing standard artificial hockey pitch confirmed that Troon Hockey club would be again back training in Troon. In August 2015 we finally returned home and the impact that has had is indeed measured in our membership growth.

“In 2014 a development three year plan was set up working with Scottish Hockey. None of this would have been possible without the support of S.A.C, Sports Scotland, Scottish Hockey, West District Women’s Hockey, Marr College, and all our Club Sponsors over the last 13 years, past and present Members, all our new coaches and parent helpers. Thank you all for making this happen.”

Kelso Ladies Hockey Club were ranked in second place with growth of 253%. Their membership rose from 51 at the end of 2014/15 season to 180 at the end of 2015/16 season. A spokesperson for Kelso Hockey Club said: “We are delighted to see the success of the club through growth in membership. Over the past two years we have been encouraged with the development of the school/club link and as a result many more players are joining the club to not only enjoy the competition, but also the social aspects of club hockey. We have also broadened our reach and included more satellite junior sessions by taking hockey out to more rural areas.”

Madras College Former Pupils Men’s Hockey Club were third when ranked for growth and experienced a 204% increase in membership. The club welcomed 57 new members, rising from 28 to 85. Richard Tough, Club President of Madras Hockey Club, said: “Madras Hockey Club is very proud that membership has seen a significant increase in the last 12 months. The increase is down to a recent junior development initiative which has been pulled together and delivered in partnership with Madras Ladies Hockey Club, St. Andrews University, Active Fife, and Scottish Hockey.

“Included in this initiative was the clarification and publishing of a clear development pathway for any who wish to join the club, introducing a coaching programme for under 14’s (with the University supplying the resource – coaches ,supervision, facilities and administration), under 16’s coaching run by the ladies, which ties in with the under 14’s coaching. This in turn has allowed us to enter teams into the Midland Hockey monthly junior tournaments. All this in such a short period of time has created greater interest in hockey in the North East of Fife, which we hope will lead to a stronger club. The partnership and the significant time and dedication of the volunteers and students has been key to the success, and the challenge going forward is to keep this interest and grow the membership at all ages.”

Peebles Hockey Club were ranked fourth for growth with a 173% rise in membership taking them from 33 members to 90. Peebles Hockey Club said: “As a club struggling to field a team a few seasons ago, we are delighted at the recent influx of young players keen to participate in hockey. We are also excited at the prospect of increasing the number of teams in our club and expanding our junior section. It is largely about the growth in the U18s, our seniors, and our participation centre U12/14 is where we have seen a big lift.”

Irvine Ladies Hockey Club completed the top five for growth. The club experienced a fantastic 153% rise in membership, adding 29 to their club.

 

Top five clubs by membership

Scotland has hockey clubs who have achieved tremendous numbers of members. This health and strength is a great achievement by Scotland’s top clubs.

Edinburgh Hockey Club ended season 2015/16 as the biggest hockey club in Scotland when ranked by membership. The club has 341 members and attracted ten new members by the end of the season.

Watsonians Hockey Club was ranked second in terms of membership with 327 members, which represents a fantastic rise in membership of 101% from the end of 2014/15.

Kelburne Hockey Club is Scotland’s third largest club by membership and has 312 members.

Uddingston Hockey Club were ranked fourth with membership totalling 294. The club enjoyed a 119% rise in membership from the end of 2014/15.

Western Wildcats Hockey Club completed the top five and has a membership of 278. The club attracted 113 members since 2014/15 and as a result move into the top five clubs in Scotland in terms of membership.

Congratulations to all our clubs for the fantastic job they do to allow people to take part in hockey.

Congratulations to all our clubs for the fantastic job they do to allow people to take part in hockey.

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